Cologne, Germany 🇩🇪
#490
50.938361, 6.959974
Nomad Score:
71%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Cologne is a vibrant city in western Germany, known for its stunning cathedral and rich history. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 1,080,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, O2 |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | N26, Revolut, DKB are popular among expats |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Spotahome, and local rental agencies |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, especially in urban areas |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Short-term rentals available on Airbnb and local platforms like Wimdu |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel die Wohngemeinschaft offers affordable lodging options |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Ship offers a great environment for remote work |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Eichhorn serves excellent coffee and has free Wi-Fi |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech Open Air Cologne is a prominent networking event |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Meetup groups and Facebook groups like 'Expats in Cologne' are active |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Free Now is a popular choice for taxis and ride-hailing |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Call a Bike and Lime provide bike and scooter rentals |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach would be in the city of Düsseldorf, approx. 40 mins by train |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Eurowings primarily operates in the region |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa and Ryanair have major operations from Cologne Bonn Airport |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E55 and A1 highways connect well from Cologne |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Köln Hauptbahnhof (Cologne Central Station) is the main transit hub |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | KVB offers day passes and monthly transport cards |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Regional trains and buses provide great access to cities like Bonn and Düsseldorf |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Klinik am Ring is highly regarded in the city |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Sky is a popular yoga studio in Cologne |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and McFit offer various gym options |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry24 offers convenient laundry services throughout the city |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Lieferando is the leading food delivery service in Cologne |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Halver Hahn, a traditional rye bread with cheese, in local eateries |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Café Blum offers great vegetarian and vegan meals |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café im Museum serves delicious pastries and coffee |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Cologne Veggie Market is a good spot for budget shopping |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.de and MediaMarkt are popular online shopping platforms |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Gorillas and REWE bring groceries to your doorstep |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Belgian Quarter is known for its vibrant nightlife |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Gaffel Kölsch offers brewery tours and tastings |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Weinhaus J. Möhr offers a lovely selection of wines |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Cologne's nightlife scene features many food trucks and stalls during events |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Sushi by Kazu provides excellent Japanese food |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is a UNESCO World Heritage site |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum Ludwig is known for its modern art collection |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Roman-Germanic Museum showcases Cologne's history |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Cologne Cathedral is the main place of worship and tourist attraction |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Cologne Carnival is one of the largest street festivals in Europe |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Ehrenfeld district is known for its artsy vibe and street art |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Schauspiel Köln is a major theater in the city |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Cologne Christmas Market is famous during the holiday season |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The city has a lively music scene with clubs like Luxor and E-Werk |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various locations like Ehrenfeld feature impressive murals |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Kochschule Köln offers cooking classes for different cuisines |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Kolumba Museum is a unique blend of art and architecture |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Town is filled with beautiful historic buildings and charm |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Kölsch beer and traditions reflect the city's deep-rooted culture |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Rheinpark is a beautiful green space near the river |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Nationalpark Eifel is accessible for day trips |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Rhine river path is ideal for cycling and walking |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Hohenzollern Bridge offers stunning views of the city skyline |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The floodplains along the Rhine are good birdwatching spots |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in parks like Stadtgarten for bonfires |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Hermes offer comprehensive delivery services |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | MediaMarkt provides tech repair services in various locations |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Sports facilities like Fischel Table Tennis provide table tennis options |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Goethe-Institut offers German language courses |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Kölner Stadtbibliothek is a great place for studying |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | FBS Köln offers cultural and community activities |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | GameOver is a gaming lounge with a variety of consoles |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Köln offers gaming and entertainment options |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €160,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €228,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% standard corporate tax rate |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26.375% tax applied to dividend distributions |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% maximum personal income tax rate |
| 🧾 VAT | 19% standard Value Added Tax rate |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation based on social housing charge |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6.5% standard rate applicable during property purchases |