Antwerp as a Place to Live: Registration Districts, Daily Life
Guide for newcomers
Antwerp: Port, Diamonds and Ten Districts
The first few weeks
With more than half a million inhabitants, Antwerp is Belgium's largest municipality and the capital of the province of the same name. The city is known for its seaport, the second largest in Europe after Rotterdam, and as the world's most important centre of the diamond trade; the port area is also home to one of the largest petrochemical clusters in the world. Brussels lies about 40 km to the south, Rotterdam 75 km to the north. In the 15th and 16th centuries the city was one of Europe's greatest trading metropolises and the place where Peter Paul Rubens worked. If you are new here, your first weeks will revolve around registering with the city, health insurance and housing – this guide takes you through the most important steps.
For newcomers from Germany, language is often the biggest adjustment, because Antwerp speaks Dutch; courses are offered by the city's service point Atlas. The city scores with a De Lijn tram network of twelve lines and tunnel sections, the main station Antwerpen-Centraal, the cathedral and the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a World Heritage Site. If you are planning a move to Antwerp, look into the housing market and registration early – on request, our home removal service takes care of the transport.
Fixed-Price Move to Antwerp – Across the Border
After a survey, liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB)
A long-distance move to Antwerp means 728 km of road, narrow city-centre streets and a low emission zone (LEZ) for which foreign vehicles must be registered. You do not need customs papers within the EU. We give you the fixed price after a survey, with packing and furniture assembly on request; your belongings are covered under the HGB. More on cross-border moves under long-distance moves.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
Your Move from Berlin to Antwerp
Fair, punctual and safe
We set off from Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and drive around 728 km to Antwerp via the A2, Venlo and Eindhoven – about eleven hours by lorry including breaks, so two days. In the city centre, with its cobblestones and scarce parking, we clarify access and the parking restriction in advance; in neighbourhoods such as Zurenborg or Zuid we agree delivery times with landlords. We give you the fixed price after a survey; for your belongings we accept liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB), and additional insurance is available. Within the EU your household goods need no customs papers; for the low emission zone (LEZ), foreign vehicles must be registered beforehand. Destinations with their own pages are listed under locations.
Packing Service
Office Move
Senior Move
Furniture Transport
Six steps after moving in
These points belong on your list after a move to Antwerp. The information comes from the Belgian Ministry of the Interior (ibz), the Flemish Government and Atlas; check appointments and documents before visiting the city's offices.
Register within 3 months
Address check
Choose a health insurer
Keep an eye on taxes
Dutch at Atlas
Car and low emission zone
Part loads – the clever solution
Antwerp
for Newcomers
When moving to Antwerp, it pays to start looking for a flat early, because neighbourhoods such as Zuid or Zurenborg are in demand. Registering with the city is important, as you need it for health insurance, a bank account and contracts; EU citizens have three months to do so. If you are moving with children, ask about school places early – Atlas helps you find a school. Household appliances can come along: like Germany, Belgium uses 230 volts. We handle the transport from Germany, with packing, furniture assembly and storage on request if the new flat only becomes available later. That leaves time for the authorities, school and finding the right district.
Choosing a district
Organising moving day
Businesses and special cases
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Antwerp
Ten Districts: Where Newcomers Live
The municipality of Antwerp consists of ten districts: Antwerp (the core city), Berchem, Berendrecht-Zandvliet-Lillo, Borgerhout, Deurne, Ekeren, Hoboken, Merksem, Wilrijk and, since 2025, Borsbeek. In Zurenborg, Art Nouveau buildings along Cogels-Osylei shape the streetscape; Zuid is considered the culture and fashion quarter around the Academy of Fine Arts.
At Eilandje, near the MAS museum, old port buildings have been given new uses. The left bank of the Scheldt, Linkeroever, is connected by tram through the tunnel and by the Sint-Annatunnel for pedestrians and cyclists. We do not quote specific rents, because we have no reliable current source.
Housing Market, Jobs and Daily Life in Antwerp
The housing market in Antwerp is in demand; we do not quote rents without a reliable source. Most people search via property portals and estate agents. Employers are found mainly around the port, in the chemical and petrochemical industry, logistics and the diamond trade, with around 1,600 companies and four diamond exchanges.
For students and graduates, the University of Antwerp is a draw, complemented by colleges such as the Karel de Grote Hogeschool. Daily life benefits from short distances, trams and suburban trains and the proximity to Brussels, Ghent and the North Sea coast – together with culture and food, this makes Antwerp attractive for newcomers.
A price overview at a glance
| Type of move | Price from |
|---|---|
| 1 room | €365 |
| 2 rooms | €615 |
| 3 rooms | €889 |
| 4 rooms | €1,289 |
| House/villa | individual |
| Long-distance move | €3.80/km |
Enquire without obligation: free survey.
What does the price of my move depend on?
- Amount of belongings (volume)
- Number of kilometres, from €3.80/km
- Floor and lift availability
- Need for a parking restriction zone
- Furniture assembly and shared load available as options
Our core services
These services make us your ideal moving partner.
- Company move: company move – professional and punctual.
- Part load: part load – the smart saving option.
- Move with assembly: move with assembly – completely organised.
- Clearance: clearance – fast and thorough.
- Home move: home move – individually planned.
- Furniture transport: furniture transport – reliable and safe.
From Berlin to Antwerp – and Back
We set off from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive to Belgium – to Antwerp it is around 728 km. The route and the low emission zone are described in the guide to moving to Antwerp; more under long-distance moves and locations.
Moving to Antwerp: Health Insurance, Taxes and Papers
If you are moving to Antwerp, you should know three obligations that the Flemish Government describes on vlaanderen.be. First: anyone who wants to live in Flanders or Belgium must take out health insurance. With legal residence, you can choose your health insurance fund (ziekenfonds) freely. Second: if your main residence is in Belgium, you are automatically subject to Belgian income tax and file a return every year for the previous year.
Third: when you bring personal belongings, any duties depend on the country of origin and the type of goods. According to Flanders, goods for personal use are usually exempt, but you need proof that they have been in personal use. For moves from Germany as an EU country, our article on customs and formalities when moving to Belgium gives an overview.
On the right of residence, the Flemish Government writes that citizens of the European Economic Area can use a simplified procedure and usually only need an identity card or passport. For longer stays, the Immigration Office of the Federal Public Service Home Affairs is responsible. The city of Antwerp itself states the deadlines and appointments for registering; please check them on its website before you move.
Planning also covers the route and the process; both are explained in the article on the long-distance move to Antwerp. An overview of the obligations after arrival is provided by the checklist for emigrating to Belgium.
Daily Life in Antwerp: Atlas, Dutch and Integration
For newcomers in Antwerp, Atlas, Integration and Inburgering Antwerp is the city's service point. According to the Flemish Government, Atlas is located at Carnotstraat 110, 2060 Antwerp. The Atlas website offers Dutch courses, a test of your own level and opportunities to practise. In addition, there is a course on life in Belgium, information on Belgian nationality, help with job hunting, the recognition of diplomas and finding a school for children.
Important for newcomers from Germany: according to the Flemish Government, all newcomers in Flanders are entitled to an integration programme (inburgeringstraject). It is compulsory for certain groups, such as foreigners aged 18 and over with a first residence permit for more than three months. Exempt are, among others, citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, as well as people aged 65 and over. The programme consists of an orientation course, a Dutch course and individual support.
If you want to learn Dutch or meet people, you can do so voluntarily; for this, Atlas refers to activities on ikdoemee.be and describes a participation programme for social activities. By appointment, Atlas advises on further services; according to its website, it can be reached by phone on 03 338 70 00. How to settle into the city afterwards is covered in the article Living in Brussels; preparing the move is described in the moving guide for Antwerp.
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