Ostend, Belgium 🇧🇪
#1714
,
Nomad Score:
59%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Ostend, West Flanders, Belgium |
| 👥 Population | 69,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Proximus, Orange, Base |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | KBC, ING, Revolut |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Booking.com |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, VRBO |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Ostend, Hotel Bero |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | City Center, near the beach |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | City Center, East End |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Co-Working Ostend |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Royal |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups at Co-Working Ostend |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Ostend Expats Facebook Group |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Taxi Ostend |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Ostend Bike Rental |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Ostend Beach, 5 minutes away |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Brussels Airlines |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM, Ryanair |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E40 highway nearby |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Ostend Railway Station |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | De Lijn day passes and monthly cards |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train (NMBS), Bus (De Lijn) |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | AZ Damiaan Hospital |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Ostend |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit, JIMS Ostend |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laveco Laundry Services |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo, UberEats |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Ostend Sole, Flemish Stew |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | De Groene Weg, Canteen |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Confiserie Roodenbeke |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Oosteroever Market |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com, Coolblue |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | HelloFresh, Carrefour |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Ostend Marina District |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Oostendsche Brouwerij |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vino Vino |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Ostend Food Trucks |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizza Marco, Asian Flavors |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Ostend Lighthouse, Themueseum |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum Sincfala, James Ensor Museum |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Fort Napoleon |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Peter and Paul Church |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Ostend Film Festival |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Oosteroever |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Theater aan Zee |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Oosteroever Market |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Music at the Beach |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals in the city center |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary School Ostend |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Art Gallery Galerie Jeune Création |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Royal Galleries, Palace of the Emperor |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Ostend's Coastal Heritage |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Oostende Dunes |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Westhoek Nature Reserve |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Promenade along the coastline |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | View from the Ferris Wheel |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Zoute Nature Reserve |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Oosteroever Beach |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Bpost, DHL |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | TechCare Ostend |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community Sports Center |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | CVO Ostend |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Ostend City Library |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Oosteroever Community Center |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Hub Ostend |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Kursaal |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €132,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €104,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €186,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €144,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €232,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,250 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €180,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 50% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on cadastral income |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on income generated outside Belgium |