Utrecht, Netherlands 🇳🇱
#957
52.080985, 5.127683
Nomad Score:
73%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Utrecht, a vibrant city in the heart of the Netherlands, known for its rich history and modern charm. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 355,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Up to 200 Mbps (average 50 Mbps) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile, with prepaid options available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Major banks like ING and Rabobank; Revolut and N26 are also widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local housing agencies like Pararius, and short leases. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely, including contactless payments. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through Airbnb and local rental websites. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Strowis, with rates starting from €25 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Spaces Utrecht, offering ample amenities and community events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Koffie Leute, a work-friendly cafe known for its strong coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups organized by Utrecht Startup Meetup group. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Utrecht Expat Meetup, a Facebook group for connecting with other expats. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt available for on-demand rides. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | OV Fiets and Donkey Republic for bike rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Zandvoort Beach, approximately 45 minutes by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Transavia operates flights from nearby airports. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM is the major international carrier flying from Amsterdam Schiphol. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A12 and A27 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Utrecht Central Station, connecting major cities in the Netherlands. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | NS travel cards for convenient access to trains and buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains (NS) to nearby cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht) |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaUtrecht offers various classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Fit For Free locations available. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat services at Stomerij & Wascentrum, with self-service options. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Thuisbezorgd.nl, covering a wide range of local restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Utrechts Lintje, a local pastry filled with almond. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | De Verhalenkamer, offering creative vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Oogst provides delicious homemade cakes and pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Markthallen Utrecht for local produce at budget prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com and Coolblue for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer online grocery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Oudegracht area is popular for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij Oudaen, known for its local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wijncafé De Witte Bal for a cozy selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Utrecht Streetfood festival held monthly in Vredenburg. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurant Kims serves well-reviewed Korean dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Centraal Museum hosts a considerable collection of art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Old Town area boasts medieval architecture. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Martin's Cathedral, a stunning Gothic church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Sinterklaas celebrations in December attract many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Museumkwartier, where art and history converge. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Stadsschouwburg Utrecht offers regular performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Vredenburg market held weekly with local vendors. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | EKKO is a popular venue for live music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Utrecht has a vibrant street art scene, notably in the Wittevrouwen area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | De Kookfabriek offers group cooking sessions. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | NEST Gallery for contemporary artworks. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Rietveld Schröder House, a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Canals of Utrecht, showcasing the city's medieval layout. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Amelisweerd Park, great for walking and cycling. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park, ideal for hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Green Route through the city’s nature reserves. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Dom Tower offers panoramic views of Utrecht. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Rijnenburg Nature Reserve attracts various bird species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Haarzuilens is a designated area for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and PostNL provide reliable local and international shipping. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair and MediaMarkt for electronics repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Club Utrecht for casual play. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Utrecht University Language Center offers Dutch courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Bibliotheek Utrecht city library for quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | De Waag for cultural events and community gatherings. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Mania offers a space for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Holland Casino Utrecht provides gaming entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €228,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €288,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 25% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Resident income tax system with progressive rates. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 49.5% |
| 🧾 VAT | 21% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable for controlling foreign income. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual taxation based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% standard rate for real estate purchases. |