Essentials
- City
- Alkmaar, North Holland, Netherlands
- Population
- Approximately 110,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-500 Mbps via Ziggo or KPN fiber
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank
- Tap Water
- Safe and high quality (PWN Water Supply)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- KPN, Vodafone, T-Mobile (Odido). Available at stations and HEMA
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Bunq are popular for instant IBANs; Maestro/V-Pay preferred over Visa/MC
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Funda.nl (long-term), Pararius
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly. Many shops/cafes are 'Pin Only' (card only)
- Short Term Rentals
- The Fallon Hotel (approx. €120/night), Boutique Hotel die 2 Brüder
- Budget Accommodation
- Kings Inn City Hostel (Beds from €35/night, Koningsweg 6)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Oude Stad (Old Town) for proximity to the Cheese Market and canals
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Spoorbuurt (near Central Station) or Bergerhof for quieter residential vibes with quick city access
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Seats2meet Alkmaar (Stationsplein 102, prices vary per booking/token)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Coffeeelicious (Koostraat 21) or Sencha Lunchstore (Koorstraat 19)
- Networking Events
- Alkmaar Business (monthly drink meetups at various locations)
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats Alkmaar Facebook Group; meetups often at Gunnery's Irish Pub
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (limited availability), Bolt, or Taxi Alkmaar (072 525 2525)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Donkey Republic (app-based), OV-fiets at Alkmaar Station (€4.50/24h)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Egmond aan Zee (10km, 20 mins by bus 165 or cycling)
- Top Regional Airline
- KLM (operating from Schiphol Airport, 35 mins by train)
- Top International Airline
- EasyJet, Transavia, Delta (via Schiphol)
- Highway Access
- A9 (connecting to Haarlem and Amsterdam)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Station Alkmaar (intercity hub to Den Helder and Amsterdam Central)
- Public Transport Passes
- OV-Chipkaart (Anonymous card €7.50 + credit) or contactless 'OV-pay'
- Regional Travel
- NS Trains (Alkmaar to Amsterdam in 35 mins, approx. €9.20 one way)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep (Wilhelminalaan 12)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Room (Hof van Sonoy), Yoga Alkmaar (Oudegracht 203)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Basic-Fit Alkmaar (Noorderkade 118, €24.99/4 weeks)
- Laundry Services
- Wasserette de Blancke (Laat 40)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Thuisbezorgd.nl, UberEats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Beemster Cheese (local PDO cheese), Alkmaarse Koekjes
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Soepp (Hekelstraat 31) - 100% vegetarian/vegan hippie vibe
- Best Dessert Spots
- IJsstadion De Meent (seasonal), Bakkerij de Groot
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Lidl (Hof van Sonoy), Aldi (Vondelstraat)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Bol.com, Coolblue, Amazon.nl
- Grocery Delivery
- Picnic, Albert Heijn (ah.nl), Crisp
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Waagplein (main square for bars and terraces)
- Local Brewery
- Brouwerij De Boom (Houttil 1), includes a national beer museum
- Wine Bars
- Wolf Wine Bar (Mient 3)
- Street Food Stalls
- Frans van der Horst (Herring/Kibbeling on the Laat)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Javaans Meisje (Indonesian, Gedempte Nieuwesloot 42)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Cheese Market (Waagplein, Fridays April-Sept), Grote Sint-Laurenskerk
- Museums & Art Venues
- Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar (Canadaplein 1), Beatles Museum
- Historical Sites
- The Waag (Weigh House), Hof van Sonoy (former monastery)
- Religious Sites
- Grote Sint-Laurenskerk (Canadaplein)
- Annual Events
- Alkmaar Ontzet (Oct 8th), Kaasmarkt (weekly in summer)
- Cultural Districts
- Cultuurkwartier (around Canadaplein and De Vest theater)
- Theater Venues
- TAQA Theater de Vest (Canadaplein 2)
- Local Markets
- Weekly Saturday Market (Gedempte Nieuwesloot/Hofplein)
- Music Scene
- Podium Victorie (Pettemerstraat 5) for concerts and club nights
- Street Art
- Various murals in the Spoorbuurt and Oudorp industrial areas
- Cooking Classes
- Kookstudio Alkmaar (Zijperstraat 14)
- Art Galleries
- Galerie de Buitenkans, Kunstuitleen Alkmaar
- Historic Buildings
- Stadhuis (City Hall) on the Langestraat
- Local Heritage
- The 'Victorie' (Victory over Spanish in 1573 heritage)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Alkmaarderhout (The oldest city park in NL), Noordhollands Duinreservaat
- National Parks Nearby
- National Park Duinen van Texel (1h 15m away including ferry)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Pontjesroute (Ferry route) through the Schermer polder
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Top of the Grote Kerk (climbable during special events), Molen van Piet
- Birdwatching Locations
- Oudorpse Polder (East of the city)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited in dunes; allowed at designated beach camp zones in Bergen aan Zee
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- PostNL (at Primera stores), DHL service points (at Karwei)
- Tech Repair Services
- Fixers Alkmaar (Noorderkade 150)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ping Pong Alkmaar (Vondelstraat 51)
- Language Classes
- Taalschool Alkmaar (Gerrit van der Veenstraat 10)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliotheek Kennemerwaard (Gasthuisstraat 2)
- Community Centers
- Wijkcentrum De Oever (Oudorp)
- Gaming Lounges
- The Gaming Box (nearby in Purmerend or Amsterdam centers)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Flamingo Casino Alkmaar (Noorderkade 124)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,200 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €182,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,100 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €143,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,800 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €264,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,900 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €214,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €337,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,700 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €277,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 19% up to €200,000 profit, 25.8% above that
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (can often be offset by tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Box-system (Box 1: Income, Box 2: Interest, Box 3: Savings/Wealth)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 49.5% for income over €75,518
- VAT
- 21% standard; 9% for food, books, and specific services
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- OZB (Onroerende-zaakbelasting) based on WOZ value (approx. 0.1% annually)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 10.4% standard; 2% for primary residence; 0% for first-time buyers under 35 (<€510k)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 30% Ruling (tax-free allowance) available for high-skilled migrants