Living in Flanders: 5 tips for first-time buyers

1. Compare municipal taxes

Municipal tax rates vary significantly between municipalities. In some you pay 0%, while in others it goes up to 9% on your personal income tax. That difference can quickly add up to hundreds of euros per year.

Use our comparison tool to compare municipalities side by side.

2. Look beyond the purchase price

The median price of a house varies enormously. But don't forget the property tax surcharges (opcentiemen) either — they determine how much you pay annually on top of your mortgage.

3. Check the amenities

Do you have children or planning a family? Look at the number of schools, childcare spots and proximity to higher education in the municipality.

4. Think about safety

Crime statistics differ per municipality. On WaarWonen.be you'll find figures on theft, violence and vandalism per 1,000 inhabitants.

5. Use WaarWonen.be

We bundle all data in one overview. Compare municipalities, view rankings and calculate your estimated housing cost with our calculator.

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Source: WaarWonen.be — all data sourced from official government sources.