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Guide
Utrecht, Netherlands 🇳🇱
#957
,
Nomad Score:
70%
Essentials
🏙️ City | Utrecht is a vibrant city located in the heart of the Netherlands, known for its medieval old town, picturesque canals, and rich history. |
👥 Population | Approximate population is 355,000. |
💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is approximately 100 Mbps. |
💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Euro (1 EUR ≈ 1.06 USD). ATMs and card payments accepted widely. |
🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is drinkable and of high quality. |
🔌 Power | Electricity is 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
📶 SIM Card | Providers include KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile, with good coverage. |
💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include ABN AMRO, ING, and Revolut offers services for expats. |
🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and shared accommodations on platforms like HousingAnywhere. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are accepted widely. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular options for short-term stays. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Strowis offers affordable rates for travelers. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The city center around Domtoren and Oudegracht is perfect for tourists. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The neighborhoods of Lombok and Wittevrouwen are popular among digital nomads for their cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | Spaces Utrecht and The Thinking Hut are the top coworking spaces. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café De Zaak offers a productive environment for work. |
💼 Networking Events | Meetups at the Utrecht Startup Hub are great for connecting with locals. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Utrecht Expats Facebook Group offers events and meetups. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Utrecht as a convenient ride-hailing service. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Citi Bike and Lime offer bike and scooter rentals throughout the city. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is at Zeewolde, approximately 50 minutes away by car. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | KLM is the primary regional carrier flying from Amsterdam. |
✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Transavia provide major international flights from Amsterdam Schiphol. |
🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A2 and A12 highways connects Utrecht to other Dutch cities. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Utrecht Central Station is the major transit hub for national and international trains. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | OV-chipkaart allows access to all public transport in the city. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Frequent train services connect to nearby cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | University Medical Center Utrecht is the leading healthcare facility. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Moves offers various classes for different skill levels. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and TrainMore provide accessible fitness options. |
🧺 Laundry Services | LaundryLand offers self-service laundromat facilities. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | Thuisbezorgd.nl is the most popular food delivery platform. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try Utrecht's famous 'Utrechtse verbroedering', a local pastry. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | De Vegetarische Slager offers a variety of plant-based options. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Koffie & Ik is known for their delicious pastries and desserts. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Vredenburg Market is ideal for budget food shopping. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Bol.com is a major online marketplace in the Netherlands. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer online delivery of groceries. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Neude area is popular for bars and nightlife. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Brouwerij Maximus is a local brewery worth visiting. |
🍷 Wine Bars | Wijncafé Rada is a cozy wine bar with a great selection. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks at the Vredenburg market offer tasty street food. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizzeria Mamma Mia offers delicious Italian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Dom Tower and the canals of Utrecht are must-visit attractions. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Centraal Museum showcases Utrecht's rich artistic heritage. |
🏰 Historical Sites | The Spoorwegmuseum (Railway Museum) is a historical gem. |
🕍 Religious Sites | Sint-Catharinakerk is a beautiful medieval church to visit. |
🎉 Annual Events | The Utrecht Early Music Festival is a popular annual event. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | The Museumkwartier is home to many cultural institutions. |
🎭 Theater Venues | The Stadsschouwburg Utrecht is a popular theater for performances. |
🛍️ Local Markets | The Oudegracht market features local crafts and foods. |
🎼 Music Scene | TivoliVredenburg is a prominent music venue for live performances. |
🎨 Street Art | Explore the street art in the Lombok area for vibrant murals. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | De Kookfabriek offers interactive cooking courses. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gallery K refers to contemporary art exhibitions. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Town features numerous historic buildings from the Middle Ages. |
🏴 Local Heritage | Utrecht is known for its unique wharf cellars along its canals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park is a nearby nature reserve. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Hoge Veluwe National Park is accessible by train and bus. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Utrechtse Dwarstour offers beautiful cycling routes. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewing platform at the Dom Tower provides impressive city views. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The wetlands at the Vecht river are great for birdwatching. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Be sure to check local regulations; parks may have designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and PostNL provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Fixit offers repair services for electronic devices. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Ping Pong Utrecht is a fun place to play. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Taalhuis offers Dutch language classes for expats. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Vereeniging Utrecht is a great study location with resources. |
🏘️ Community Centers | Buurtcentrum De Brug hosts various community activities. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Game Lounge provides a spot for gamers to meet. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Holland Casino Utrecht offers various gaming options. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €160,000). |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000). |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €216,000). |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €162,000). |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000). |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000). |
💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 25%. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% dividend withholding tax applies. |
🏦 Tax System | The Dutch tax system includes taxation on worldwide income. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 49.5%. |
🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 21%. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Netherlands has strict CFC rules. |
🏠 Property Tax | Property taxes are based on the value of the property. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Property transaction tax is 2% for residential properties. |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | The 30% ruling allows expats to receive 30% of their salary tax-free. |