Working in Antwerp Belgium
The second most populated city in Belgium, Antwerp is located in the north of Belgium towards the Dutch border. The city has one of the largest ports in Europe and is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. French and Flemish are both widely spoken in Antwerp.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Antwerp International Airport
Antwerp International Airport is located just 2km from the city’s central area. A relatively small complex, the airport handled about 160,000 passengers in 2010. It is a hub for carriers such as Air France and BMI Regional.
Antwerp International Airport is accessible by train, bus or car. Regular connections with the Antwerpen-Berchem rail station are in place to and from the airport. If travellers prefer to take a bus located routes 51, 52 and 53 from De Ljjn for the most convenient services to use.
Railway Station
Antwerpen-Centraal railway station
Opened in 1905, Antwerpen-Centraal railway station is the biggest and busiest terminal in Antwerp. The station services intercity, national and international trains. The station, which looks more like a cathedral, also connects commuters to Antwerp’s bus services and other forms of public transport. Several cheap and higher end hotels are located nearby the station.
Transportation
Antwerp is a straight-forward city to navigate at day or night. The city has an efficient bus and tram service, operated by Flemish Public Transport Company, setup for locals and travellers. Antwerp’s main train station, Centraal Station, also provides services throughout the city, including to its outer regions.
The city can also be thoroughly enjoyed by foot, with much of its central district accommodating for pedestrians.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Antwerp is average to high by western standards for expats. According to online cost of living database Numbeo (http://www.numbeo.com/), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $21.40 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $79.70 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $4.30 |
| Coke (330mL) | $3.10 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.15 |
| Loaf of bread | $1.90 |
| Eggs | $2.85 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $2.85 |
| Monthly pass | $43.40 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $2.30 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $855 approx |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $1570 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $25 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $180 |
| Average monthly salary (after tax) | $2280 |
Accommodation
Hotels in Atwerp can vary greatly in price, but there are a lot of options for low and high end spenders. The city also has a variety of hostels to choose from for backpackers. A few to consider include:
Budget
Heksenketel
Elzenveld
Mid-range
A La Muze
Park Inn Astrid Hotel
High-end
Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel
Leopold Hotel Antwerp
Shopping
The main shopping area in Antwerp is the Meir, which a street nearby the central station at Keyserlei to the Groenplaats. In the area there is a famous mall in Belgium called Stadsfeestzaal and Hopland where several of the stores are set in a decadent manner. For higher end stores shoppers should venture to the Kammenstraat area and its surrounds.
Antwerp also has a Chinatown only a few hundred metres from central station and popular weekend markets on Theaterplein square.
Emergency
Emergency telephone numbers
Medical emergencies 100
Police 101
Fire services 100
Insurance and Healthcare
When registered, expats in Belgium will receive standard health cover and the option to takeout private health insurance at an extra cost. Healthcare in Belgium is of a high standard and is funded by social security contributions made by the general population. All residents and expats must register with the social security organisation to receive the standard service.
On top of the compulsory health insurance requirements, expats in Belgium can take out private care, with an extensive range of services available for those willing to pay extra. Costs for private health treatment in Belgium are comparable to those in Australia.
Despite a high standard of health facilities in Belgium, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.