Groningen, Netherlands 🇳🇱
#961
,
Nomad Score:
67%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Groningen is a vibrant university city in the northern Netherlands, known for its cultural diversity and historic architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 230,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; Major banks include ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Revolut, TransferWise, and local banks like ING have options for expats |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Housing options range from student dorms to rentals via Funda.nl or Pararius.com |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in stores and restaurants |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local services like Interhome offer short-term options |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Stay at the Stayokay Groningen hostel or Budget Hotel Nieuw Slotania |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | City Center, near the Grote Markt and Martinitoren |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Oosterpark and Noorderplantsoen are popular for longer stays, with lots of cafes and coworking spaces |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | CloudNet Groningen offers a comfortable and collaborative working environment. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe de Koffer, known for its laid-back atmosphere and strong coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events hosted by Groninger Forum frequently bring together entrepreneurs and freelancers. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the Expats Groningen meetup group for various social activities. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is available, as well as local taxi services like Taxi Groningen. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Services like Felyx provide e-scooter rentals, and bike rentals are available at various shops. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Borkum Beach is about 1.5 hours away by train and ferry. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Transavia is a popular regional airline connecting to various destinations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa provide international flights from Groningen Airport Eelde. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A7 and A28 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Groningen Central Station connects to major cities in the Netherlands. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | OV-chipkaart system is used for public transport; day passes and monthly subscriptions are available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to nearby cities like Leeuwarden and Assen are frequent, as well as bus services. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogagroningen offers classes and wellness services. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Fitland provide affordable gym options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry services available at several laundromats around the city, like Wasstraat Groningen. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Thuisbezorgd.nl delivers from a variety of local restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Groninger koek', a spiced cake unique to the region. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Dasty's offers a great selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie Kipp is known for its delicious pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Visit the weekly markets at Vismarkt for budget-friendly local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue for general shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn and Jumbo provide grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The 'Poelestraat' is a popular nightlife area with many bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij Martinus offers local craft beer and tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wijnbar Groningen is a cozy spot for wine lovers. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Visit the Groningen Street Food Festival for various offerings. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Try Eat&Go for a variety of international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Martinitoren, the iconic landmark with stunning city views. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Groninger Museum showcases contemporary and modern art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Explore the Der Aa-kerk, a beautiful medieval church. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Synagogue Groningen is notable for its architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival takes place every August. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Folkingestraat is known for its artistic vibe and local businesses. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Stadsschouwburg Groningen hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Daily markets at Vismarkt for fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | De Oosterpoort hosts concerts and events featuring various artists. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the street art around the city center, particularly around the city walls. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary workshops at Kookstudio Groningen. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie de Vos showcases local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Grunter House is an example of classic local architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Groningen has a rich history as a trading city, reflected in its architecture and culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Hortus Botanicus is a beautiful botanical garden in the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Drentsche AA National Park is accessible within an hour by car. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Explore the picturesque paths along the canals around the city. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The top of the Martinitoren offers a panoramic view of the entire city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lauwersmeer National Park is ideal for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Blaauwpoort has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and PostNL provide reliable parcel delivery in the city. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair and Fixit offer device repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Check out the ping pong tables at the Groninger Forum. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Dutch language courses available at the University of Groningen's Language Center. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Groninger Forum serves as both a library and study space. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Oude Ebbinge School offers cultural and community activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | GameZone is a popular spot for video gaming enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Holland Casino Groningen located downtown offers gaming experiences. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €168,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25.8% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 49.5% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on the property's value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% standard rate for properties. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Yes, special provisions for 30% ruling available for expatriates for tax benefits. |