🇧🇪 Belgium · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Antwerp? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed flat, central (Het Zuid, historic centre, Eilandje)EUR 900–1,250 / month
Utilities and internet, one personEUR 150–240 / month
Groceries, one personEUR 290–400 / month
De Lijn annual network passEUR 300–400 / year, often reimbursed by employers
Good to know
Population
≈545,000 in the municipality — Belgium's largest city — and roughly 1.2 million in the wider metropolitan area
Languages
Dutch, in a distinctive Antwerp dialect. English is widely spoken socially and at work; French is understood but is not the administrative language here
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Time zone
CET (GMT+1), CEST (GMT+2) from late March to late October
Power plug
Type E, 230 V — the socket has a protruding earth pin, so some German and Dutch Schuko plugs fit awkwardly
Climate
Temperate maritime — grey and damp most of the year, mild winters, and warm rather than hot summers
Region
Flanders — which means Flemish rules on work permits, civic integration, tenancy law and the low emission zone, all different from Brussels
Communal tax surcharge
7.0% for assessment year 2026, against 4.9% in the City of Brussels
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Antwerp checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Antwerp
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.