Hulst, Zeeland: Houses in a Fortified Border Town

Hulst has old fortifications, a basilica and a market square, and a pace of life that suits retirees and second-home buyers. Antwerp is about 40 km away, which suits Belgian-based workers and cross-border commuters, and the Belgian shops and restaurants are on the doorstep. The Western Scheldt shore and Zeeland beaches are a short drive, and the polder landscape is a draw for cyclists.

Nearby markets: Terneuzen, Goes, Middelburg, Vlissingen, Bergen op Zoom and Steenbergen. Cross-border living brings tax and healthcare questions, so ask an adviser about residence and social-security rules if you split your life between the Netherlands and Belgium.

Foreigners can buy without restriction. Transfer tax is 2% for homes you will live in and 8% for other homes, such as second homes and rentals. A notary completes the sale after an agreement is signed and a short cooling-off period has passed. Ask for the energy label, check flood-defence arrangements for low-lying plots, and think about insurance.

See the Netherlands buying guide, financing page and overview.