Heidelberg, Germany 🇩🇪
#498
49.409358, 8.694724
Nomad Score:
71%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Heidelberg is a picturesque city located along the Neckar River in southwestern Germany, known for its historic university, the Heidelberg University, and charming old town. |
| 👥 Population | About 160,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 100 Mbps; reliable fiber-optic connections are available. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.06 USD. Cards are widely accepted, and several banking options cater to expats, including Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable; water quality in Heidelberg is very high. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets are commonly used. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Telekom, Vodafone, and O2 with decent coverage and data options. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International banks like Deutsche Bank, as well as apps like N26 and Revolut are available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include apartments, hostels, and private rentals via platforms like Airbnb and Spotahome. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cafes and businesses generally accept cards for payment. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms such as Airbnb and Homelike are popular for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Heidelberg and B&B Hotel Heidelberg offer affordable stays. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Regus Heidelberg and CoWork Heidelberg are popular coworking facilities with flexible options. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Blum offers a cozy environment with free Wi-Fi and excellent coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com has various groups for networking, including tech meetups and expat groups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Heidelberg Expat Community Facebook group hosts regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Free Now and Uber are popular ride-hailing apps in the city. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Circ offer scooter rentals; the city is bike-friendly. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach is actually an hour's drive to the Rhine River beaches, ideal for a day trip. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Lufthansa and Eurowings operate local flights from nearby airports. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Frankfurt Airport is around an hour away with various international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A5 motorway provides direct access north to Frankfurt and south to Karlsruhe. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) is the main train station with frequent services. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes for local transport cost around €60, covering buses and trams. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Regional trains connect to Mannheim, Karlsruhe, and Stuttgart with ease. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Heidelberg University Hospital is one of Germany's leading medical institutions. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Loft Heidelberg offers various yoga classes and wellness workshops. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and McFIT are popular gym chains with multiple locations. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Fluff & Fold and Waschmaschine Heidelberg are convenient laundromats. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodora and Lieferando are preferred choices for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Käsespätzle, a creamy cheese noodle dish, is a must-try in local restaurants. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan restaurant Veggie World and Café Universum cater well to plant-based diets. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Sweets & Treats offers a range of decadent pastries and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Heidelberg Markthalle is great for budget-friendly local produce and street food. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.de and local sites like idealo.de are widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Rewe and Edeka offer grocery delivery services via their websites. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Neckarwiese area is lively with bars and pubs attracting students and locals. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Wirthaus zum Nepomuk brews its own traditional German beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Keller 5 serves an excellent selection of local wines in a cozy setting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Various stalls at the Heidelberg Christmas Market serve delicious seasonal treats. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants serving Italian, Indian, and Asian cuisine are abundant, such as Il Camino for Italian. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Heidelberg Castle and the Old Bridge are iconic attractions that showcase the city's history. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Student Museum (Studentenkarzer) offers insights into student life over the centuries. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Church of the Holy Spirit is a significant gothic structure in the heart of the old town. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Synagogue of Heidelberg reflects the city's diverse history. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Heidelberg Spring Festival and Christmas Market are major celebrations each year. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Altstadt (Old Town) offers rich cultural experiences with historic architecture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Heidelberg Theater hosts various performances year-round. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Heidelberg's weekly market in the old town is perfect for local produce and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Heidelberg has a vibrant music scene, with many bars offering live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The city features several impressive murals and street art, especially around the university area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes at the Heidelberg Cooking School cater to various cuisines and skill levels. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Stihl showcases contemporary art and regular exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old University and surrounding buildings are prime examples of baroque architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Heidelberg symbolizes a blend of ancient and modern, highly valued in German history and culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Odenwald forest offers excellent hiking trails and scenic landscapes. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Palatinate Forest is a beautiful national park located within an hour from Heidelberg. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Neckar River paths are perfect for biking and walking, complete with stunning views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Philosophenweg offers breathtaking views of the city and the castle. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The gardens around Heidelberg Castle are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Several parks along the Neckar allow bonfires in designated areas, particularly during summer. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Hermes provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like MediaMarkt offer tech repair and support services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various community centers have table tennis facilities available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutions like the Volkshochschule offer German language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Universitätsbibliothek is a great place for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Engelbertsaal hosts various community events and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Pixel Gaming Lounge offers a space for gamers to meet and play. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Das Casino Heidelberg provides gaming options in a lavish setting. |
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% corporate tax rate in Germany. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26.375%, including solidarity surcharge. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Based on worldwide income for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for high earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard rate is 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Germany has strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | An annual property tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is 5% in the state of Baden-Württemberg. |