Groningen, Netherlands 🇳🇱
#961
53.209662, 6.572754
Nomad Score:
71%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Groningen is a vibrant city known for its youthful population, rich history, and cultural activities. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 233,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed is around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; widely accepted credit cards, local banking options include ABN AMRO and ING. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile with prepaid options available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Rabobank, and online banking services like Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local real estate websites, and housing services for expats. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental platforms like Pararius. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel H2O and Stayokay Groningen. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hive Groningen is a popular coworking space with flexible pricing. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Hummingbird Coffee is known for its good coffee and ample seating. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups at The Student Hotel and events through platforms like Meetup. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Groningen Facebook group organizes various gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber operate in the city. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Fietsverhuur Groningen and Donkey Republic offer bike rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Zandvoort aan Zee, approximately 2 hours away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | KLM operates regional flights from Groningen Airport Eelde. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Ryanair service Groningen Airport for international travel. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access via the A7 and A28 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Groningen Central Station connects to major Dutch cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | The OV-chipkaart can be used for train and bus travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Regular trains and buses connect to larger cities like Leeuwarden and Assen. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen (UMCG) is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga en Meditatie Groningen and Yogatree offer classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and SportCity provide affordable gym options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Stomerij en Wasserij Groningen offers laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Thuisbezorgd.nl and Deliveroo for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Groninger mustard soup, a local delicacy. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | De Vegetarische Slager and Cafe de Sigaar serve excellent plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Groninger Taarten offers delicious local pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Berkeley Market on Saturdays is a great spot for local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue deliver to Groningen. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Peperstraat is a popular nightlife district with many bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij Martinus produces local crafts beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wijncafé De Oude Wit is a noted wine bar. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Various food trucks offer local and international cuisines, especially during events. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | La Cubanita offers great tapas and international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Martinitoren and the Groninger Museum are iconic attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Groninger Museum is a modern art museum worth visiting. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Synagoge Groningen and the old city center. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Martinikerk is a historical church worth visiting. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Eurosonic Noorderslag music festival takes place every January. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Folkingestraat area is noted for its cultural mix. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Stadsschouwburg Groningen hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The weekly Wednesday market at the Vismarkt is vibrant. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Groningen has a lively music scene with venues like Simplon and OOST. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Check out the graffiti at Gelkingestraat. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking workshops are available at De Kookfabriek. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Doe Museum showcases local and international artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Prinsenhof is a historic landmark worth visiting. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city's history is celebrated in events and venues around the city. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | De Onlanden Nature Reserve is a great escape. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Drentsche Aa National Park is about an hour away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Many scenic paths run along the canals and countryside. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The banks of the canals and parks provide lovely views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | De Onlanden and the Oldambtmeer are known for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas in parks allow campfires; check local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and UPS are reliable for shipping services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Repair shops like iRepair Groningen service electronics. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table tennis at local sports clubs like Noordstar. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutes like the Language Institute Groningen offer Dutch classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Obe Postma Library is a great study space. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Huis van de Wijk is a central community space. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Café De Zwarte Silo offers gaming events and leisure. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Holland Casino Groningen provides gaming options. |
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 | 25%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 49.5%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard rate is 21%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on assessed property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% standard rate. |