Living in Antwerp
What it really costs to live in Antwerp, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Belgium, updated 2026. Antwerp sits mid-range among the 3 Belgium cities we track, so it can be a smarter base than the capital if budget matters. Antwerp lies in Western Europe. Belgium's capital is Brussels. The main languages are Dutch, French, German. The currency is the euro. Belgium borders France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands.
Cost of Living in Antwerp
Full Monthly Breakdown for Antwerp
How Antwerp Compares to Other Belgium Cities
Antwerp is not the only option in Belgium. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€1 400) stacks up against the other cities we track — Ghent is the cheapest, Brussels the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Ghent | €1 300/mo | -7% vs Antwerp |
| Brussels (capital) | €1 600/mo | +14% vs Antwerp |
What You Can Earn in Belgium
Typical gross annual salaries in Belgium by sector (entry · median · senior). Antwerp pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €35 000 | €48 000 | €65 000 |
| retail | €21 000 | €30 000 | €42 000 |
| finance | €43 500 | €62 000 | €87 000 |
| education | €29 500 | €42 000 | €59 000 |
| healthcare | €28 000 | €38 000 | €52 000 |
| engineering | €40 500 | €58 000 | €81 000 |
| hospitality | €22 500 | €32 000 | €45 000 |
| construction | €31 500 | €45 000 | €63 000 |
Living in Antwerp: Safety, Health & Climate
Antwerp shares Belgium's wider quality-of-life profile. Antwerp has a oceanic climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Belgium
Affording Antwerp is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Belgium. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~5 years — dual nationality allowed.
- Investment route from about €350 000 (USD).
Taxes in Belgium
Top marginal rate 50%, VAT 21%. Special regime — Expatriate Tax Scheme: 32% tax rate on qualifying income
Settling into Antwerp
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Belgium.
- Budget around €1 800 for first-month setup in Antwerp.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Nursing, Architecture, Psychology.
Get Your Belgium Emigration Report
Personalised visa options, costs and a 90-day plan for Belgium.
Get Essential Report — €5or start the free assessmentAntwerp FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Antwerp?
A single person in central Antwerp should budget about €1 400/month, roughly €1 190 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €2 900/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Belgium?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Belgium visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Belgium Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries