Essen, Germany 🇩🇪
#1537
,
Nomad Score:
60%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Essen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, known for its industrial heritage and green spaces. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population of 590,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Vodafone, Telekom, and O2. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Services like N26 and Revolut are commonly accepted and offer user-friendly banking solutions. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Various options available from Airbnb and Booking.com to serviced apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and local rental agencies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | The A&O Hostel in Essen offers affordable lodging options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The city center, near the Essen Cathedral and museums. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The Rüttenscheid area is popular, with cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Co-Working Essen, a vibrant space with great networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Kaffeekommune, known for excellent coffee and a conducive work environment. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups hosted by local tech groups and expat communities. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Meetup Essen, where diverse community gatherings occur regularly. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Free Now operate in Essen. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Deezer and Lime offer bike and scooter rentals in the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is approximately 1.5 hours away at the Baldeneysee lake. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Eurowings provides regional flights from Düsseldorf Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa and Ryanair operate international routes from Düsseldorf Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Well-connected via A40 and A52 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Essen Hauptbahnhof is the main railway station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | VRR passes are available for regional public transportation. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Frequent trains and buses connect Essen to nearby cities like Düsseldorf and Bochum. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Universitätsklinikum Essen, a major healthcare provider. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Loft Essen offers various yoga classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and McFIT have multiple locations in the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wasch Bar Essen provides self-service laundromat facilities. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodora and Lieferando are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Stippgrütze, a traditional dish from the region. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Vegin' in Rüttenscheid offers a variety of plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie Kuhl is highly recommended for sweet treats. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Essen Steele market is known for budget-friendly groceries. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local shops have online presence on platforms like Zalando and Amazon. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Bringmeister and REWE deliver groceries to your doorstep. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Altstadt area has a vibrant nightlife scene. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brauhaus Grüne, offers local beers and tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Weinhaus Molitor is a notable wine bar to visit. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks by the Baldeneysee offer diverse street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Casa Loca serves a blend of Mexican and German flavors. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum Folkwang is renowned for its modern art collection. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Essen Cathedral dating back to the 9th century. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Kreuzeskirche, a beautiful neo-Romanesque church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Essen's Lichtfestival showcases light installations throughout the city. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Rüttenscheid is known for its art galleries and cultural events. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Grillo Theater hosts various performances throughout the year. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Essen Market Hall offers regional foods and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Turock club hosts a variety of live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the street art near Zollverein. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Kochschule Essen offers fun cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Mönig features contemporary artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Alte Synagoge is a prominent historic site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city's industrial history is showcased in various museums. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Grugapark is a large park with gardens and hiking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Sauerland Nature Park is reachable within an hour. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Ruhr Valley cycle path offers scenic rides. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Baldeneysee provides great views, especially at sunset. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Botanischer Garten allows for peaceful nature walks. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Several parks permit bonfires with prior approval. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Hermes operate widely in Essen for package deliveries. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | MediaMarkt and local shops provide electronic repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various community centers have tables available for play. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Volkshochschule Essen offers German language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Stadtbibliothek Essen is a modern library with quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Migrationsdienst Essen hosts cultural events and resources. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Lounge24 is a popular spot for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Essen offers a range of gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €104,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €138,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €176,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% based on profits. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26.375% applicable on dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for high earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict regulations apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6.5% standard rate in North Rhine-Westphalia. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Residing in Essen allows digital nomads to access beneficial tax arrangements depending on residency. |