De negendaagse beurs brengt honderden exposanten uit de (ver)bouw- en interieursector samen in themazones, biedt gratis onafhankelijk advies en gratis toegang voor kinderen tot 16 jaar. Organisator is Easyfairs.
Dates
10–18 Oct 2026
City / country
Gent, Belgium
Venue
Flanders Expo
Time
Weekdays: 1:00 PM – 6:30 PM · Weekends: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Companies exhibiting at Bis, Bouw & Interieursalon 2026 include Aanhuis.be, ABC-Villa, Acculife, ACK Beter Wonen and Adrem Keukens.
Event overview
Bis, Bouw- & Interieursalon 2026 is de grootste (ver)bouwbeurs van Vlaanderen, waar bezoekers kwalitatieve verdelers, inspiratie en professioneel advies vinden over keukens, badkamers, interieurafwerking, isolatie, hernieuwbare energie en meer.
De beurs vindt plaats van 10 tot 18 oktober 2026 in Flanders Expo Gent.
TL;DR
Op Bis vind je alle info op één plek: keukens, sanitair, woningbouw, interieur, (hernieuwbare) energie en meer, met honderden exposanten in handige themazones. Je ontmoet regionale vakmensen uit je buurt en kan meteen een afspraak maken. Geniet van gratis onafhankelijk advies in persoonlijke sessies van 20 minuten of in groep. Ontdek de laatste trends, zoals modulair bouwen en wonen in de buitenzone. Kinderen t.e.m. 16 jaar krijgen gratis toegang.
Neem deel aan de grootste (ver)bouw- en interieurbeurs van Vlaanderen en bereik 9 dagen lang tienduizenden bezoekers met concrete (ver)bouw- en interieurplannen. Je plaatst je bedrijf in de kijker bij een doelgericht publiek dat klaar staat om te investeren. De beurs trekt jaarlijks tienduizenden bezoekers met concrete plannen, waarvan 80% met concrete plannen komt en 95% die plannen binnen 2 jaar wil aanvatten. 82% van de exposanten geeft aan opnieuw deel te nemen aan de volgende editie.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
8Maaltekouter 1, Gent, Belgium
Entrances & gates
Hoofdingang (Main entrance)
Main entrance to the venue; accessible via the pedestrian/cyclist bridge from Derbystraat.
Flanders Expo currently states that its A1-A4 car parks together with public B and C provide 3,600 spaces. For BILT Gent 2026 specifically, visitors are directed to city-owned PB and PC. The organiser states that the first 15 minutes are free and parking is then charged per started half-hour, with a maximum of €15 for a full day from nine hours. Payment is available by Bancontact or cash at the machines.
3,600 spaces · €15.00/day
BILT Gent confirms that all halls and sanitary blocks are wheelchair accessible. Accessible paid parking is available at PC or PA4. Wheelchairs can be reserved from the organiser for €5 by emailing [bilt.living@easyfairs.com](mailto:bilt.living@easyfairs.com) with the visitor name, date and expected arrival time; an identity card is requested as security. Flanders Expo also confirms level, ramped or lift access, accessible toilets and admission of accredited assistance dogs.
BILT Gent 2026 confirms a staffed cloakroom at the entrance. Use is subject to a fee, and the cloakroom closes at the same time as the exhibition.
BILT Gent permits backpacks, bags and trolleys inside and explicitly states that luggage can alternatively be left for a fee in the staffed entrance cloakroom.
For vehicle charging, Flanders Expo currently confirms 100 electric-car charging points, including four Boostcharge supercharger spaces beside Hall 2. The venue also provides sockets for charging electric bicycles in the covered bicycle shed at Hall 3. A dedicated public phone/device charging station was not identified in the reviewed BILT Gent materials.
Food options
Le Pain Quotidien, Bistro, Duvel Lounge, Architaste, Sky Lounge Eat
On-site diningParking: 3,600 parking spaces across lots A1-A4 (private) and B-C (public). Access via E40 exit 14 Gent-Zuid or exit 7 of The Loop. Parking is paid; limited disabled spaces near hall entrances.
Attend
Event days & opening times
online
Vooraf online gekocht, geldig alle dagen.
at the door
Aan de kassa, geldig alle dagen.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Breng je uitnodiging met registratiecode mee naar Bis en aan de ingang helpt een hostess je verder.
Ticket notes
Online ticket €7 (korting), aan de kassa €13. Kinderen t.e.m. 16 jaar krijgen gratis toegang (vergezeld door een volwassene).
What's on
1
1-Op-1 Consult
4
Infosessie
5
Event days
11:00–20:00
Typical time
Bartel Van Riet
Tuinarchitect, landschapsarchitect en tv-gezicht
Tuinontwerp, (ver)bouwen en tuin
Kelly Claessens
Interieurexperte
Interieur, kleur en styling
Joris Vandenhaute
Ontwerper van de Onderbenuttingstoren @ Labland
Onderbenuttingstoren, modulair bouwen
Kristien Viaene
Vastgoedmakelaar @ Dewaele
Trends in de vastgoedmarkt
Johan Kemps
Meester
Juridische vragen rond vastgoed, kopen, huren, bouwen
Mathieu Van de Velde
Architect @ Veld K
Modulair bouwen, architectuur
Sunday, Oct 11, 2026
(Ver)bouwen en je tuin? Hoe en (vanaf) wanneer pak je dit aan?!
Thursday, Oct 15, 2026
Oud interieur in nieuw jasje: pimpen jouw unieke decostuk!
Van droom tot plan in 60 minuten: maak je eigen moodboard met Kelly Claessens
Friday, Oct 16, 2026
Q&A met meester Johan Kemps: beantwoorden van vragen van particulieren
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026
Ontspul je (verbouw)rommel: tips om je spullen op te ruimen, te selecteren & organiseren
Teken je droomtuin met Bartel Van Riet
Batterij of geen batterij en wat met slimme sturing?
Ontdek de Onderbenuttingstoren met Joris Vandenhaute – Infosessie van Labland
Sunday, Oct 18, 2026
Trends in de vastgoedmarkt met Kristien Viaene
Maak je eigen vluchtplan met de brandweer
Één-op-één sessie – bespreek je project met een ervaren architect
Bis Bouw + Immosalon
BILT Architectuurwedstrijd 2026
De BILT Architectuurwedstrijd, ondersteund door de Orde van Architecten – Vlaamse Raad, bekroont jaarlijks inspirerende architectuurprojecten rond een actueel en duurzaam thema. Het thema voor 2026 is 'Binnenste Buiten'.
sourceHow the last edition performed
Current edition
2026 · 330 exhibitors
Visitors
51,067
Exhibitors
330
Growth over time
New this edition
Technische zone
Voor de eerste keer op Bis (2024): een technische zone waar technologie en bouw samenkwamen, in samenwerking met Embuild Oost-Vlaanderen, Buildwise en Constructiv. Bezoekers konden kennismaken met drones, exoskeletten en de nieuwste meetapparatuur.
SourceLa Fabrika Shopzone
Nieuwe pop-up shopzone (2024) gecreëerd en ingericht door interieurexperte Kelly Claessens.
SourceInschuifhuis
Primeur op de beurs van 2025: het Inschuifhuis, een bijzondere blikvanger die veel publiek trok.
SourceNext edition outlook
2026-10-10 – 2026-10-18The Gent fair returns from 10 to 18 October 2026 at Flanders Expo under the new name BILT Gent. The official 2026 site positions it as the continuation of Bis and currently lists 350 exhibitors across seven halls, covering construction, renovation, interiors, exteriors and related solutions.
Bis, bouw- & interieursalon is renamed BILT Gent for the 2026 edition. The Gent event becomes part of the broader BILT network combining the Gent, Mechelen and Antwerpen live fairs with a year-round online platform for inspiration, advice and exhibitor discovery. The seven-hall layout introduced for Bis 2025 continues, with the 2026 site organising the visitor experience into themed and project zones.
Impact
Bis 2025 attracted 55,000 visitors and expanded with an additional hall, taking the event to seven halls. The organiser reported more than 150 information sessions, with several thousand visitors attending sessions and all workshops and personal advice sessions fully booked. The Inschuifhuis, a complete habitable modular house installed on the show floor before being moved to its owner after the fair, was a notable Belgian premiere.
Audience quality
The organiser characterised the 2025 audience as project-driven and well prepared: visitors were reported to arrive with specific requirements, ask targeted questions and hold in-depth conversations with exhibitors. The post-show recap states that exhibitors unanimously reported receiving many interested visitors and buyers. These are organiser-reported qualitative indicators rather than independently audited lead-quality metrics.
Exhibitor outcomes
No audited exhibitor revenue, lead-conversion or return-on-investment figure was published for Bis 2025. The strongest official commercial signals are qualitative exhibitor satisfaction and retention: the organiser reported that exhibitors unanimously welcomed many interested visitors and buyers, while 90% of the exhibition floor had already been booked for the 2026 edition by 21 October 2025.
Intelligence
343
Exhibitors
27
Categories
6
Countries
6
Pavilions
Top 6 by exhibitor count — estimates based on published directory.
~98% of listed exhibitors are from Belgium.
Belgium
Netherlands
France
Austria
Denmark
Germany
High priority
Buyers sourcing
Other Building & Home Living Suppliers
Buyers sourcing
Window, Door & Joinery Suppliers
Buyers sourcing
Building & Home Living Suppliers (profile Pending)
Buyers sourcing
Heat Pump, HVAC & Climate Control Suppliers
Buyers sourcing
Real Estate, Property & Housing Services
Medium priority
Buyers sourcing
General Contractors & Renovation Services
Buyers sourcing
Flooring & Surface Covering Suppliers
Buyers sourcing
Kitchen Cabinetry & Kitchen Design Suppliers
Buyers sourcing
Interior Design, Furnishings & Home Decor Suppliers
Buyers sourcing
Architecture, Design & Planning Services
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
De Belgische bouw- en renovatiemarkt bevindt zich in een cruciaal transitiepunt. Met een verouderd gebouwenbestand – meer dan 80% van de Belgische gebouwen is onvoldoende energie-efficiënt – en strengere regelgeving (renovatieplicht, PEB-normen, uitfasering fossiele ketels) is de vraag naar renovatie, duurzame materialen en energie-efficiënte oplossingen groter dan ooit. Tegelijkertijd kampt de nieuwbouw met een krimp van 0,5%, wat de focus verder verschuift naar de renovatiemarkt. De consolidatie van de drie grootste Vlaamse bouwbeurzen onder de vlag BILT markeert een strategische verschuiving: de fysieke beurs blijft het kloppende hart, maar wordt versterkt door een digitaal ecosysteem dat het hele jaar door inspiratie, advies en netwerkmogelijkheden biedt. Voor exposanten en bezoekers van Bis betekent dit dat de beurs niet langer een eenmalig moment is, maar onderdeel wordt van een continu traject van (ver)bouw- en interieurprojecten. De markt biedt kansen voor bedrijven die inspelen op duurzaamheid, digitalisering en de groeiende renovatievraag.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Renovatiegolf als groeimotor
De renovatiemarkt is de belangrijkste groeimotor van de Belgische bouwsector. Nieuwbouw krimpt in 2026 met 0,5%, terwijl renovatie met 2% groeit en al sinds 2022 gestaag toeneemt. De renovatiesector is met 40–50% van de markt het grootste afzetgebied voor bouwmaterialen en groeit naar verwachting 4–5% per jaar. De Vlaamse renovatieplicht en energiedoelstellingen drijven deze vraag.
SourceDuurzame & biogebaseerde materialen in opmars
Biocomposieten groeien in België met 8–12% per jaar en kunnen tegen 2035 verdubbelen. De overgang van component- naar systeemniveau-renovatie biedt de grootste marktkans. Biogebaseerde isolatiematerialen (houtvezel, cellulose, hennep, gerecyclede content) winnen terrein door overheidsinkoopcriteria die levenscyclus-koolstof en circulaire principes steeds meer meewegen.
SourceEnergieprestatie & regelgeving versnellen transitie
Vanaf 1 september 2026 voert Wallonië een gestructureerd renovatietraject naar PEB-label A in. Sinds 1 januari 2026 mogen olie- en kolenketels niet meer worden geïnstalleerd in nieuwe gebouwen. De energiesubsidies worden per 1 oktober 2026 herzien, met hogere leenbedragen tot €75.000 voor eengezinswoningen. De renovatieplicht en strengere energienormen dwingen tot versnelling.
SourceDigitalisering en industriële renovatie
Vlaamse innovatiepartners (EnergyVille, KU Leuven, VITO, Buildwise, Flanders Make, Sirris) slaan de handen in elkaar om renovatie en bouw te industrialiseren. Digitale tweelingen, slim energiemanagement en circulaire materialen worden steeds belangrijker. De overgang naar systeemniveau-renovatie vraagt om geïntegreerde digitale oplossingen.
SourceConsolidatie van bouwbeurzen onder BILT
Easyfairs bundelt haar drie Vlaamse bouw- en renovatiebeurzen (Bis Gent, Bouw&Reno Antwerpen, Wonen Mechelen) onder de nieuwe merknaam BILT. De beurzen blijven fysiek bestaan, maar worden aangevuld met een digitaal platform dat het hele jaar door inspiratie, advies en contacten biedt. De fysieke beursmomenten blijven cruciaal, maar worden onderdeel van een breder ecosysteem.
SourceLatest updates from across the market.
Easyfairs bundelt bouwbeurzen onder nieuwe merknaam BILT
ReadEmbuild: bouwsector herstelt licht in 2026, maar 2027 wordt opnieuw moeilijk
ReadBouwsector stabiliseert in 2026, voor sombere vooruitzichten in 2027
ReadEIB en Vlaanderen tekenen €1,7 miljard lening voor sociale huisvesting
ReadAantal bouwbedrijven daalt voor het eerst in tien jaar
ReadDe Benelux kent een dicht netwerk van bouw-, renovatie- en interieurbeurzen, met een sterke focus op de Vlaamse en Waalse markt. De belangrijkste concurrenten en verwante events zijn: Batibouw (Brussel, februari) – de grootste vakbeurs van België met bijna 200.000 bezoekers; Bouw&Reno (Antwerpen, januari) en Wonen (Mechelen, november) – beide nu onder de BILT-vlag; Batireno (Namen, oktober) – de Waalse tegenhanger van Bis; en Futurebuild (Brussel, januari) – de Easyfairs-vakbeurs voor bouw- en vastgoedprofessionals. De beurzen vormen samen een jaarlijkse cyclus die bouwers en verbouwers het hele jaar door inspiratie en contacten biedt.
Bouw&Reno 2026
Antwerpen, België
Vindt plaats in Antwerp Expo; onderdeel van BILT-platform; thema's: renovatie, badkamers, houtskeletbouw, keukens, sanitair, verwarming.
websiteFuturebuild 2026
Brussel, België
Tweede editie; B2B-focus op bouw en vastgoed; vindt plaats in Brussels Expo.
websiteBatibouw 2026
Brussel, België
67ste editie; 300+ exposanten op 45.000 m²; thema's: duurzaamheid, circulariteit, digitalisering, energietransitie; twee nocturnes tot 22u.
websiteBis, Bouw & Interieursalon 2026
Gent, België
36ste editie; 9 dagen; Flanders Expo Gent; 330 exposanten; gratis toegang voor kinderen tot 16 jaar.
websiteBatireno / Energie & Habitat Namur
Namen, België
9 dagen; Namur Expo; jaarlijks; volledig aanbod producten, materialen, diensten en technieken voor woningverbetering.
websiteDesign Nation Kortrijk 2026
Kortrijk, België
2 dagen; Kortrijk Xpo; B2B-focus op interieurdesign en afwerking.
websiteBATIMONS 2026
Bergen, België
4 dagen; Lotto Mons Expo; jaarlijks; breed aanbod van bedrijven die bouwprojecten realiseren.
websiteWonen Mechelen 2026
Mechelen, België
9 dagen; Nekkerhal Mechelen; onderdeel van BILT-platform; 130+ regionale vakmensen; gratis advies.
websiteWinter (januari–februari)
Start van het beursseizoen met de grootste vakbeurs Batibouw en de Easyfairs-professionalbeurs Futurebuild. Bouw&Reno in Antwerpen is de eerste van de drie BILT-beurzen.
Herfst (oktober–november)
Drukte periode met Bis als grootste Vlaamse beurs, parallel met de Waalse tegenhanger Batireno. Wonen Mechelen sluit het seizoen af in november.
Data zijn afkomstig van officiële beurswebsites, Eventseye en persberichten. Data kunnen door organisatoren worden gewijzigd; raadpleeg voor actuele data de officiële websites.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Brussels Airport
Best-connected practical airport for BILT Gent. Brussels Airport-Zaventem railway station is directly beneath the terminal, and Brussels Airport publishes a direct train connection to Ghent taking about 55 minutes. From Gent-Sint-Pieters, BILT Gent states that tram T1 reaches Flanders Expo in about 10 minutes.
66.2 km by road
to venue
About 42 minutes in normal traffic
by car
Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Useful alternative for European low-cost routes. Flibco operates between Charleroi Airport and Gent-Sint-Pieters; current routing data indicates about 1 hour 30 minutes to the station, after which tram T1 connects to Flanders Expo. Visit Gent also identifies Charleroi as one of the two main practical airports for reaching Ghent.
104.8 km by road
to venue
About 1 hour 11 minutes in normal traffic
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 70–140 / night
Estimated planning range, not an event-date quote. Practical examples include ibis budget Gent Centrum Dampoort and B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum. 2026 sample listings show these properties among the lower-priced mainstream options in Ghent; rates for 10-18 October 2026 may rise as availability tightens.
USD 100–200 / night
Estimated planning range based on 2026 sample listings. Hotel Chamade is about two minutes on foot from Gent-Sint-Pieters and states that tram 1 connects directly toward Flanders Expo. Holiday Inn Gent Expo is directly beside the venue, while Courtyard by Marriott Ghent is one of Flanders Expo's preferred nearby hotels.
USD 180–330 / night
Estimated planning range based on current 2026 listings rather than a fixed BILT Gent rate. Examples include Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof, Hotel Harmony and Ghent Marriott Hotel. Pillows is a four-star superior property in the historic centre; its official booking engine has shown 2026 flexible room rates around €280 on sample dates, illustrating the upper end of this planning band.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Tram T1
Flanders Expo states that tram T1 runs directly to the venue entrance and takes less than 10 minutes from Gent-Sint-Pieters. De Lijn's current single-ticket and contactless fare is €3. Published 2026 maintenance affecting the Flanders Expo stop ends on 13 September, before BILT Gent opens on 10 October.
Bus
Bus lines 76, 77 and 78 are the official alternatives serving Flanders Expo. They are especially useful from central Ghent or if tram service is disrupted.
Uber
Flanders Expo and Uber introduced an official pick-up point at Parking A3 in 2026. The venue states that the pick-up arrangement applies during major events and that the app provides the fare before booking.
Bicycle or walking
Flanders Expo publishes dedicated pedestrian and cycling approaches. A covered bicycle shed is available at Hall 3, including charging sockets for electric bicycles.
Car
The venue is directly accessible from the motorway network. BILT Gent directs visitors to public parking PB and PC; its current visitor information states that the first 15 minutes are free and the tariff increases per started half-hour to a maximum of €15 for a full day from nine hours.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa (Type C) – Business / short stay | Nationals of countries not on Belgium's visa-exempt list who travel to Belgium for business, conferences, or short assignments (max 90 days within any 180-day period). | $98.00 | At least 15 working days after appointment; strongly recommended to apply at least 3 weeks before travel. Appointment wait times can add 2 weeks to 1 month or more. | |
| National visa (Type D) – Long stay | Non-EEA nationals intending to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days (e.g. for longer business assignments, work, or study). | $272.00 | Varies widely; from 3 weeks to 6–9 months depending on category. |
As of 2026, Belgium grants visa-free access to nationals of 59 countries. The full list includes: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, North Macedonia, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Holy See (Vatican City), Honduras, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Among African countries, only Mauritius and Seychelles are visa-exempt. Citizens of other African nations (e.g. Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa) are required to obtain a visa before travel. Visa-free entry is for short stays (max 90 days per 180-day period) and does not permit work.
Belgium accepts ATA Carnets for temporary admission of goods. Key permitted uses include: stand equipment for trade fairs, exhibitions, and similar events; goods for display, demonstration, or use at exhibitions, fairs, congresses, or similar events; commercial samples; and professional equipment. The ATA Carnet is issued by Belgian Chambers of Commerce (e.g. Belgian Chambers). For polished diamonds, the ATA Carnet is available but with specific restrictions. Valid for one or more temporary admission operations in one or more countries.
Official visa pageWeather
October in Ghent is cool and changeable. Royal Meteorological Institute 1991-2020 climate normals for Ghent show an October mean temperature of 11.4°C, an average maximum of 15.4°C and an average minimum of 7.4°C. Average October precipitation is 74.3 mm, with about 11.9 days receiving at least 1 mm of rain. Layers and rain protection are advisable for BILT Gent 2026.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Flanders Expo is at Maaltekouter 1 on The Loop, just outside central Ghent, with direct road access from the E40, R4 and E17 corridors. Gent-Sint-Pieters is the main rail interchange for the venue: BILT Gent states that tram T1 takes about 10 minutes from the station to Flanders Expo, while bus lines 76, 77 and 78 also serve the venue area. Brussels Airport has a direct rail connection to Ghent of about 55 minutes. From Charleroi Airport, Flibco connects to Gent-Sint-Pieters, where visitors transfer to local transport. Flanders Expo also designates Parking PA3 as its Uber pick-up point. The venue's announced 2026 tram maintenance periods end on 13 September, before BILT Gent begins on 10 October, but visitors should still check De Lijn for day-of-travel disruptions.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Dutch-speaking local context
Ghent is in the Flemish Region, where Dutch is the principal local language. International visitors should nevertheless find the city straightforward to navigate: Visit Gent publishes visitor information in English and other languages, and the De Lijn app is available in Dutch, French and English.
Car-light historic centre
Ghent strongly prioritises pedestrians, cyclists and public transport in its historic centre. Visitors driving into central Ghent should be aware that the inner city is a low-emission zone; eligible vehicles with most foreign number plates must be registered before or shortly after entering. Flanders Expo itself is outside the historic centre and is directly accessible from major roads.
Cycling is part of everyday mobility
Ghent is highly cycle-oriented. Flanders Expo can be reached by dedicated walking and cycling routes and provides a covered bicycle shed beside Hall 3, including sockets for charging electric bicycles.
Euro and contactless transport payments
Belgium uses the euro. Ghent public transport accepts contactless payment by debit card, smartphone or smartwatch; Visit Gent currently states a €3 fare per ride with transfers permitted within one hour using the same payment method.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: Brussels Airport (BRU)
When fares and schedules are similar, BRU offers the simpler public-transport transfer because trains run directly from the airport station to Ghent. From Gent-Sint-Pieters, transfer to tram T1 for Flanders Expo. CRL can work well for low-cost European flights, but the airport-to-venue journey is longer and typically requires the Flibco transfer to Gent-Sint-Pieters followed by local transport.
Whether a visa is required depends on the traveler's nationality. Citizens of 59 visa-exempt countries (including US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most EU/EEA states) do not need a visa for short business stays up to 90 days. All other nationalities must obtain a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) before travel. Business visa applicants need: valid passport (3+ months beyond stay), completed online application form (VisaOnWeb), recent photo, invitation letter from Belgian host company/partner, proof of employment/company registration, travel insurance (min €30,000), proof of sufficient funds (approx. €50–100/day), flight/hotel reservations, and proof of existing commercial relationship if applicable. Apply at Belgian embassy/consulate in country of residence or via authorized external service provider (TLScontact/VFS Global). Strongly recommended to apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel.
Processing: Standard Schengen visa processing: 15 working days. Appointment wait times vary by country and can add 2 weeks to 1 month or more. In some locations, appointment wait times may extend up to 12 weeks. Applicants are strongly advised to apply at least 3 weeks before travel, and ideally up to 6 months in advance.
Visa fee: €90 for adults; €45 for children 6–12; free for children under 6. Additional service fees may apply when applying through external providers. The Schengen visa is valid for all Schengen Area countries. Business visitors must not engage in paid employment. Upon arrival in Belgium for short stays, visitors must declare their presence via the 'My Address in Belgium' (MAB) online form within 3 days.
OfficialFind a stay near the venue with options for every budget.
Check-in (recommended)
2026-10-10
Check-out (recommended)
2026-10-18
Areas to stay
Flanders Expo / The Loop: best for minimising daily event travel; Holiday Inn Gent Expo is immediately beside the exhibition complex. · Gent-Sint-Pieters / Stationsbuurt: strongest public-transport base for the fair because tram T1 reaches Flanders Expo in less than 10 minutes; Hotel Chamade is about two minutes on foot from the station. · Historic Ghent city centre: best for restaurants, sightseeing and evening atmosphere, with tram or bus connections toward Flanders Expo; examples include B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum, Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof and Ghent Marriott Hotel. · Akkerhage / southern Ghent business district: convenient for drivers and business travellers, with Flanders Expo-listed properties including Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ghent and Courtyard by Marriott Ghent.
budget
$70-$140 per night estimated
mid range
$100-$200 per night estimated
premium
$180-$330 per night estimated
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: From Brussels Airport, the most practical public-transport route is the direct train to Gent-Sint-Pieters followed by tram T1 to Flanders Expo. Brussels Airport states that direct trains connect the airport with Ghent, while Flanders Expo states that the final tram journey from Gent-Sint-Pieters takes less than 10 minutes.
Hotel → venue: Downtown Atlanta and convention-center hotels are typically within walking distance or a short ride-hail/MARTA trip to the venue.
Ride-hail: Uber is officially supported at Flanders Expo. Order in the Uber app and use the designated venue pick-up point at Parking A3; fares are dynamic and displayed in the app before confirming the trip.
Public transit: De Lijn tram T1 is the primary venue connection, running from Gent-Sint-Pieters and Gent Zuid to Flanders Expo. Bus lines 76, 77 and 78 provide alternatives. A current De Lijn single journey costs €3 and can be paid contactlessly on buses and trams.
Parking: BILT Gent directs visitors to PB and PC at Flanders Expo / The Loop. Number plates are registered on entry. The current event guidance states that the first 15 minutes are free, after which parking is charged per started half-hour up to a maximum of €15 for a full day from nine hours.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: October
Temperature: Average minimum 7.4°C; average maximum 15.4°C; mean 11.4°C
Seasonality: Royal Meteorological Institute 1991-2020 normals show 74.3 mm of October precipitation in Ghent and about 11.9 days with at least 1 mm of rain.
Packing: Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, plus a waterproof jacket or compact umbrella and comfortable water-resistant footwear.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: 2026-10-16
Friday 16 October 2026 is the strongest all-round visit day because BILT Gent's official nocturne runs from 13:00 to 23:00, giving substantially more floor time than a normal weekday. The current programme also schedules sessions through 21:45, including building advice, energy, architecture, renovation, interior and VAT topics, allowing visitors to combine supplier meetings with education into one extended day.
Define your project scope, priorities and buying questions — Planning guidance, not an organiser deadline. BILT Gent 2026 covers more than 350 exhibitors across building, renovation and interior categories, so arrive with a clear project brief, target categories and decision criteria.
Shortlist exhibitors before the show — Planning guidance, not an organiser deadline. Use the official 2026 exhibitor directory to create a focused list of suppliers relevant to your project rather than trying to cover the full show.
Buy or register your admission ticket — Planning guidance. The official 2026 ticket page lists a €7 online ticket and €13 box-office ticket; visitors with a valid free-registration code can register for €0.
Review the programme and reserve high-value advice sessions — Planning guidance. The 2026 programme includes workshops, personal building and renovation advice, interior advice, Immo advice and group sessions. Reserve limited-capacity activities early where registration is offered.
Prepare plans, photos, measurements and inspiration — Planning guidance. Bring the information needed to make conversations with advisers and exhibitors specific to your renovation, construction or interior project.
Choose your route to Flanders Expo — Planning guidance. Tram T1 takes about 10 minutes from Gent-Sint-Pieters to Flanders Expo. Drivers should review the current PB/PC parking procedure and event parking tariff.
Save your ticket barcode and final target list offline — Planning guidance. BILT confirms that tickets can be scanned directly from a smartphone and do not need to be printed.
Follow a focused compare-advice-compare loop — Recommendation: visit shortlisted exhibitors first, use an independent advice or workshop session to test assumptions, then return to the strongest suppliers with sharper questions. Friday 16 October is especially useful for visitors who want extra time because the official nocturne runs until 23:00.
Enter BILT Gent and complete a first sweep of your highest-priority exhibitors
Flanders Expo exhibition hallsAttend '10 gouden tips om van jouw bouw- of verbouwproject een succesverhaal te maken'
Hall 4Attend the session on smart energy use, solar panels and home batteries
Hall 4Return to shortlisted suppliers for product comparisons, quotes and project-specific questions
Exhibition hallsAttend 'Werken met een architect? Alles wat je moet weten!'
Hall 4Attend Kelly Claessens' 'F*ck Beige' interior session
Hall 4Attend the Renovatiekompas session or use the slot for final adviser meetings
Hall 4Attend Embuild's session on the reduced VAT rate for demolition and reconstruction
Hall 4Use the Friday nocturne for final exhibitor conversations and follow-up appointments
Flanders ExpoDesign Museum Gent
Design Museum
Ghent historic centre; roughly a 20-30 minute public-transport trip from Flanders Expo depending on connections
Highly relevant for BILT visitors interested in interiors and design. Visit Gent lists the museum's grand reopening for 3 October 2026, one week before BILT Gent.
Castle of the Counts
Historic Landmark
Ghent historic centre; suitable for a pre-show or post-show city-centre block
One of Ghent's signature medieval landmarks and an easy cultural contrast to a day focused on contemporary building and interiors.
Graslei and Korenlei
Historic Waterfront
Central Ghent; walkable from major historic-centre sights
A compact evening stop for Ghent's historic waterfront, architecture and city views.
Patershol
Historic Dining Quarter
Historic centre near the Castle of the Counts; best used after the fair
Recommended for an off-site client or team dinner because Visit Gent describes the district as a culinary area filled with restaurants, pubs and bars.
Duvel Lounge
On-site lounge
Recommendation, not an official networking programme. BILT lists the Duvel Lounge in Hall 2; it is a practical informal meeting point for supplier or peer conversations during the event.
Sky Lounge Eat
On-site brasserie and meeting spot
Recommendation, not an official networking programme. BILT lists Sky Lounge Eat on the first floor, making it useful for a scheduled coffee, lunch or follow-up conversation away from a busy stand.
Patershol
Off-site restaurant and bar district
Recommendation, not event-affiliated. The historic dining quarter is suitable for post-show client, partner or team dinners in central Ghent.
Budget
Exposantentarief 2026 niet openbaar gepubliceerd; neem contact op via het formulier op de officiële website voor een vrijblijvende offerte.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
event_ticket
visitor · online_to_box_office
EUR 7–13 / per person
local_transit
both · single_trip
EUR 3 / De Lijn single journey
parking
both · full_day
EUR 15 / vehicle-day from 9 hours
hotel
both · budget_sample
USD 114 / sample room-night total including displayed taxes and fees
hotel
both · mid_range_sample
USD 138 / sample room-night total including displayed taxes and fees
hotel
both · premium_sample
USD 188 / sample room-night total including displayed taxes and fees
organiser_insurance
exhibitor · default_cover_if_no_timely_equivalent_cover_opt_out
EUR 395 / conditional exhibitor insurance contribution
booth_space
exhibitor · quote_required
—
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| event_ticket | visitor | online_to_box_office | EUR 7–13 / per person | official | 2026-09-02 |
| local_transit | both | single_trip | EUR 3 / De Lijn single journey | official | 2026-09-02 |
| parking | both | full_day | EUR 15 / vehicle-day from 9 hours | official | 2026-09-02 |
| hotel | both | budget_sample | USD 114 / sample room-night total including displayed taxes and fees | estimate | 2026-09-02 |
| hotel | both | mid_range_sample | USD 138 / sample room-night total including displayed taxes and fees | estimate | 2026-09-02 |
| hotel | both | premium_sample | USD 188 / sample room-night total including displayed taxes and fees | estimate | 2026-09-02 |
| organiser_insurance | exhibitor | default_cover_if_no_timely_equivalent_cover_opt_out | EUR 395 / conditional exhibitor insurance contribution | official | 2026-09-02 |
| booth_space | exhibitor | quote_required | — | unknown | 2026-09-02 |
Decision
Score your buyer fit, project timing, category relevance, travel friction and booth readiness for BILT Gent 2026.
QUESTION 1 OF 8
How closely does BILT Gent's Flemish residential building and interior audience match your priority market?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Visit when you have an active project, need several supplier comparisons or want independent advice before making purchasing decisions. The approximately $16 planning minimum covers a €7 online ticket plus two €3 local-transit rides at the 1 September 2026 ECB reference rate; it excludes food, intercity travel and accommodation.
Best for
Private builders, renovators, interior decision-makers and construction professionals who want to compare relevant suppliers, products and advice in person.
Min. budget
$16.00
Timeline
One focused event day can be sufficient if exhibitors and sessions are shortlisted in advance.
Risks
More than 350 exhibitors can make an unplanned visit unfocused.
The event is strongly oriented toward the Flemish residential building and interior market.
Popular personal advice sessions and workshops can have limited capacity.
exhibit
Exhibit when the Flemish residential market is strategically important, your products fit the published categories, the team can staff the full show and each qualified lead can be followed up quickly after capture.
Best for
Residential building and interior manufacturers, brands, distributors, installers, contractors, project developers and regional dealers with strong Flemish sales and fulfilment capability.
Timeline
Immediate planning is required for the 10 October 2026 opening; budget for nine event days plus build-up and dismantling.
Risks
BILT Gent 2026 stand pricing is quote-only, so public data cannot establish a reliable minimum booth budget.
A nine-day staffed stand creates substantial personnel and operating requirements.
Weak local sales coverage or slow lead follow-up can reduce the value of consumer enquiries.
Stand construction, insurance, delivery and organiser compliance requirements must be resolved before build-up.
skip
Skip when category and buyer fit are weak, travel friction outweighs the expected value, there is no active visitor project, or an exhibitor cannot support the stand and post-show sales workload.
Best for
Companies or visitors with little connection to residential building, renovation or interiors in Flanders, no active project need, or insufficient budget and follow-up capacity.
Timeline
No 2026 commitment; reassess a future edition when buyer fit, project timing or local market readiness improves.
Risks
Skipping removes an opportunity to compare a concentrated group of building and interior suppliers.
Relevant competitors may gain visibility with Flemish homeowners and project buyers.
Waiting may delay supplier discovery or project research if a purchase decision is already approaching.
Book with
Holiday Inn Gent Expo
Venue-listed accommodation immediately beside the exhibition area; Flanders Expo describes it as approximately a five-minute walk and suitable for exhibitors and crews.
Listed by Flanders Expo as a preferred/partner accommodation option; this is a venue relationship, not a BILT Gent-specific sponsorship.
Van der Valk Hotel Gent
Venue-listed hotel approximately five minutes by car from Flanders Expo; the official venue hotel page publishes an Easyfairs booking code for this property.
Listed on Flanders Expo's official organiser hotel-services page with the code GET-Easyfairs; this is a venue relationship, not a BILT Gent-specific sponsorship.
Courtyard by Marriott Ghent
One of the accommodation properties listed by Flanders Expo for visitors and event participants.
Listed on the official Flanders Expo hotel and accommodation page; no BILT Gent-specific room rate is claimed.
Recommended providers
Flanders Expo preferred hotel partners
Flanders Expo officially lists nearby preferred accommodation and states that partner discounts and group reservation options may be available. The current listed properties include Holiday Inn Gent Expo, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, JAM Hotel Gent and Courtyard by Marriott Ghent. No BILT Gent-specific promotional rate or booking code was publicly confirmed.
Current Easyfairs Belgium exhibitor terms name AXA Belgium as the liability insurer. Exhibitors are included as co-insured under the organiser arrangement unless valid equivalent cover is submitted within the contractual opt-out deadline.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Trust footer
48
References
10
Publishers
0
Date checked
Easyfairs / BILT
Easyfairs
Bis / Easyfairs press release via Mind the View
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