Rostock, Germany 🇩🇪
#499
54.08867, 12.140021
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Rostock is a historic city situated on the northern coast of Germany, known for its medieval architecture and proximity to the Baltic Sea. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 200,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.06 USD, most major credit cards accepted, ATMs widely available. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and O2 with competitive prepaid options. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and online services like N26. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hostels and guesthouses to serviced apartments and Airbnb. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted, especially in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel K7 offers dorms starting at €20 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | COWORKING Rostock provides great facilities and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Central offers free Wi-Fi and a quiet atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events organized by Meetup and local business associations are active in Rostock. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Rostock Expats Facebook Group hosts regular meetups and social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Free Now is widely used for taxis in the area. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Swellbike offers an efficient bike-sharing service around the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Warnemünde Beach is just 15 minutes away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | airberlin and Eurowings operate regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Lufthansa serves international destinations from Rostock-Laage Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A19 and A20 are major highways granting easy access to other cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Rostock Hauptbahnhof is the central train station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes are available for around €50. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains connect Rostock to nearby cities like Lübeck and Schwerin. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | University Medical Center Rostock provides comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Karma Yoga offers various classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | McFit has affordable membership options starting at €19.90/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wäsche & Co. is a reputable laundromat in the city center. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Lieferando is the go-to app for food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Rostocker Fischsuppe is a traditional must-try dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Veganeria offers a variety of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Zimt und Zucker is well-known for its cakes and pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Rostocker Wochenmarkt features local produce and delicacies. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon Germany is widely used for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Services like REWE offer online grocery shopping with delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | KTV and MAWI's are popular nightlife spots for locals and expats. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | OstseeBraumanufaktur offers brewery tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Weinhandlung Wichmann has an extensive selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Rostock Streetfood Market features diverse international cuisines. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Sushi Haus serves some of the best sushi in the area. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | St. Mary's Church and the Rostock City Wall are essential historical sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Cultural History Museum offers insight into the city's past. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Historic Market Square and Town Hall are important landmarks. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Peter's Church is a notable place of worship. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Rostock Christmas Market is a popular seasonal attraction. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | A street art scene exists in the Warnemünde district. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Rostock Volkstheater hosts a variety of performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Rostock's weekly markets offer fresh produce and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Various venues host live music, particularly in the summer months. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The 'Art Line' project showcases urban art throughout the city. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Rostock Cooking Academy offers classes focusing on local cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Heinrich offers a diverse selection of contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The 14th-century Stasi Headquarters is a notable site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Hanseatic history is celebrated throughout the city. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Rostock Heath offers extensive nature trails and habitats. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Müritz National Park is around 1.5 hours away by car. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The promenade along the Warnow River is ideal for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Lighthouse in Warnemünde offers stunning panoramic views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Sietow Lake area is popular for birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas on Warnemünde Beach allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Hermes offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | MediaMarkt provides repair services for various electronics. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Several community centers have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Volkshochschule Rostock offers German language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The City Library is a quiet place for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Rostock Community Center hosts various cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Portal offers gaming space and events for fans. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Rostock hosts gaming tournaments and events. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €80,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €138,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €216,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 15% for corporations. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26.375% flat rate. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for high earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate of 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, meet specific criteria. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Taxed based on property value and usage. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% of the property purchase price. |