Leiden, Netherlands 🇳🇱
#966
,
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Leiden, a historic city in the Netherlands, is known for its prestigious university, beautiful canals, and rich cultural heritage. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 125,000 inhabitants. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; widely accepted payment methods including credit/debit cards. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, safe for consumption. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks such as ING, Rabobank, and Bunq offer services for expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from Airbnb rentals to student housing through local platforms. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in stores and restaurants. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Popular platforms include Airbnb and Booking.com. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Leiden is a budget-friendly option. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The city center and along the canals. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Pieterskwartier and the area around Leiden University. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hague University of Applied Sciences offers good facilities for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Coffee company, a cozy spot with Wi-Fi and plenty of outlets. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups regularly held at The Hague University and digital nomad gatherings at local cafes. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats in Leiden Facebook group hosts various social events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Leiden, alongside local taxi services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Greenwheels offers bike rental services across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Katwijk aan Zee, approximately 20 minutes by bike. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Transavia serves regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and easyJet are major carriers. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access via the A4 and A44 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Leiden Central Station is the main transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | OV-chipkaart is used for all public transport. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to nearby cities (Amsterdam, The Hague) run frequently from Leiden Central. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga studio 'Yoga Leiden' offers various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Sportcity are popular gym options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wasserette De Waslijn provides laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Thuisbezorgd.nl is widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Haring served raw with onions; a local delicacy. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | De Vegetarische Snackbar offers good vegetarian fast food options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Leiden's finest patisserie 'Patisserie de Uitdaging' serves great pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Boerenmarkt Leiden on Wednesdays for fresh local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue both operate in the Netherlands. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer online grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Haarlemmerstraat is a vibrant area for nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij Huyghe offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine bar 'De Wijnkelder' is a cozy spot to enjoy a drink. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Visit the weekly food market in the city center. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Bistro 'La Roche' serves delicious French cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Visit the historic University of Leiden and the National Museum of Antiquities. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum of the History of Science and the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden are notable places. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Old Town Hall and the Burcht van Leiden are significant historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The St. Pieterskerk is a beautiful and prominent church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Leiden's annual International Festival is a highlight. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Molenbeek is known for its arts scene and local creativity. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Stadsgehoorzaal is renowned for performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | De markt on Saturdays is perfect for shopping and local produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The local music scene is vibrant, with gigs at various bars and venues. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the vibrant street art in the Molenwijk area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | 'Kookstudio Leiden' offers various culinary workshops. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | 'Galerie Sille' showcases local artists' works. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Botanical Garden at Leiden University is a must-see for plant lovers. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Leiden is famous for its historical relationship with science and exploration. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Bovenlanden nature reserve nearby offers excellent hiking and birdwatching. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Hollandse Duinen National Park is accessible within 30 minutes. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Rijn, a scenic bike path along the river, is popular among cyclists. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Beautiful views are available from the Lake of Leiden. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | De Laak is a popular spot for birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Parks in and around Leiden allow bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and PostNL provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Repair shops like 'PC-Dokter' offer tech services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Sportcenter 'De Doelen' has facilities for ping pong. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Dutch language courses available at 'Taalhuis Leiden'. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Central Library is a great spot for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The LUMC Community Centre hosts various events and activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game On Leiden is a popular gaming venue. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Holland Casino in nearby cities offers 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% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Max personal income tax rate is 49.5%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 21%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate when buying property. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Special arrangements allow for favorable tax treatment for nomads. |