Essen, Germany 🇩🇪
#1537
51.458223, 7.015817
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Essen is a city in the Ruhr area of Germany, known for its industrial heritage and modern cultural institutions. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 582,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Telekom, Vodafone, and O2 |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include N26, Revolut, and traditional banks like Deutsche Bank |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Booking.com, and local rentals |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental agencies available |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Essen, prices starting at €20 per night |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Kreativgesellschaft Essen offers a vibrant workspace and meeting rooms |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Blum, known for its atmosphere and free Wi-Fi |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events organized by Ruhr Hub and Meetup groups |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Essen International Meetup Group on Facebook |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Free Now (formerly MyTaxi) |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Circ offer electric scooters |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | A45 Beach (Lake Baldeney) is a 20-minute drive |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Lufthansa for regional flights |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Eurowings and Lufthansa operate from Düsseldorf Airport |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A40 and A52 highways |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Essen Hauptbahnhof (central train station) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly tickets for the VRR transport network are available |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Regional trains connect Essen to Düsseldorf, Bochum, and Dortmund |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Evangelishe Krankenhaus Essen, renowned for excellent healthcare |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogazentrale Essen offers various classes |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | FitX and McFIT gyms available |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Waschsalon Essen offers self-service laundry facilities |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Lieferando for food delivery |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Currywurst, served at local Imbiss stands |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan & Raw, a dedicated little cafe |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Kranzler, famous for its pastries |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Markthalle Essen for fresh produce |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.de and local grocery delivery options |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Rewe and Edeka offer online grocery delivery |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Altstadtviertel for vibrant nightlife |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Rüttenscheider Stuben, known for its local beer |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Weinstube Malz & Hopfen for a variety of wines |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Essen Street Food Market on Fridays |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurant Elgin for Afghan cuisine |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, UNESCO World Heritage site |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum Folkwang, renowned for modern art |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Alte Synagoge, a significant historical site |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Kreuzeskirche, a notable church in the city |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Essen Light Festival held every November |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Rüttenscheid, known for art galleries and restaurants |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Aalto-Theater, famous for opera and ballet |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Weekly markets at Atterstraße |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Essen Philharmonic Orchestra offers various performances |
| 🎨 Street Art | Rüttenscheider Straße is filled with vibrant murals |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking Studio Essen offers various culinary courses |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie m offers a showcase for contemporary art |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Villa Hügel, the historic mansion of the Krupp family |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Essen's industrial heritage is celebrated in various museums |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Grugapark Essen, a large park with botanical gardens |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Nationalpark Eifel is approximately 1.5 hours away |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Rur River Cycle Path provides scenic trails |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Landschaftsträume viewpoint offers beautiful views of the area |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Botanischer Garten provides excellent birdwatching spots |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Public parks with designated areas for bonfires |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Deutsche Post and DHL for mail and packages |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Repair Café Essen for electronics and devices |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers and parks often have tables |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Volkshochschule offers German language courses |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Stadtbibliothek Essen provides study spaces and resources |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | City library and various cultural centers around town |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming hall in Altendorf for esports enthusiasts |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Essen, for gaming and entertainment |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €140,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €184,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26.375% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax rates for residents |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 19% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict transparency requirements |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on local regulations |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 6.5% on property purchases |