In this guide
Nijmegen at a Glance
- Population: 189,756 (municipality; CBS, end of August 2026)
- Main language: Dutch
- Key employers: Radboud University and Radboudumc (education, research and healthcare), plus public services
- Getting around: cycling within the city; trains from Nijmegen Centraal to Arnhem, Utrecht and Amsterdam (check the NS journey planner)
Nijmegen sits on the south bank of the Waal river in Gelderland, a few kilometres from the German border. It is generally regarded as the oldest city in the Netherlands, with Roman origins; the Valkhof park on the hill above the river is the most visible reminder.
Radboud University and the university medical centre Radboudumc give Nijmegen a pronounced academic character and attract international students and staff.
The city is known internationally for the Vierdaagse (4Days Marches), the walking event that starts on the third Tuesday of July, with more than 45,000 participants walking 30, 40 or 50 km a day for four days (4daagse.nl). In 2027 it runs from Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 July, and the accompanying Vierdaagsefeesten festival runs for seven days, from 17 to 23 July 2027 (vierdaagsefeesten.nl). For anyone arriving as a new resident, the Vierdaagse is worth building into your plans — either as something to participate in or simply to understand that accommodation, transport, and the general pace of the city will look very different that week.
For expats, Nijmegen combines a university-city atmosphere with rail connections to Arnhem, Utrecht and beyond. Outside the international academic community, daily life is in Dutch, so learning some Dutch helps.
Cost of Living
Rents depend on location, size and condition, and demand from students and university staff adds to the competition for well-located homes.
| Item | Editorial indication, per month |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (private rental) | €950–€1,200 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | €1,250–€1,550 |
Editorial indication, not a measured average: check current listings on Pararius and Funda. Your transport, grocery and leisure costs depend on your own habits and the providers’ current prices.
Check current listings per neighbourhood: central areas such as Centrum and Bottendaal are popular with students and young professionals, while Lent, across the Waal, and the larger outer districts tend to offer more space, with a longer ride into the centre.
Use the Housing Budget Checker and Cost of Living Calculator to map out your budget before you start your search.
Best Neighbourhoods for Expats
Centrum — The historic centre around the Valkhof and the Grote Markt. Compact and walkable, with bars, restaurants and independent shops.
Bottendaal — A neighbourhood close to the centre, with cafés, small shops and a mix of student houses and other rentals.
Hengstdal — A quieter residential area with more family homes.
Lent — On the north bank of the Waal, connected to the city by bridges including De Oversteek. A newer residential area with new-build apartments and family homes; you cross the river to reach the centre, the university or the hospital.
Lindenholt and Dukenburg — Larger, mainly residential districts in the west of the city, connected by bus; check current listings for prices.
Working in Nijmegen
For internationals, Radboud University and Radboudumc are the obvious employers to look at; check their vacancy pages for research, teaching, clinical and support roles. Nijmegen is the largest municipality in Gelderland (CBS), and public services are another employer.
Outside academia and healthcare, check how many English-speaking roles there are in your field before you move. Some Nijmegen residents commute to Arnhem or Utrecht by train for work; check the NS journey planner for current journey times.
For salary benchmarking use the Salary Checker. Use the 30% Ruling Calculator to see how much tax you could save. If you have a foreign degree, check recognition requirements with the Diploma Evaluator. See the Working in the Netherlands guide for broader context on employment contracts, tax, and the 30% ruling.
Getting Registered
If you will live in the Netherlands for more than four months, register with the Gemeente Nijmegen within five days of arriving (the same national rule as elsewhere). If you are arriving through Radboud University or Radboudumc, ask your employer what arrival support it offers.
Bring your passport and proof of address (for example your rental contract), and check with the gemeente which other documents apply to you. On first registration you receive your BSN.
Not sure which visa you need? Use the Visa Checker to find out. Use the BSN Planner to get your documents in order before your appointment. Planning your integration path? Use the Inburgering Route Planner to see your requirements.
Healthcare & Insurance
Radboudumc is the university medical centre in Nijmegen.
Register with a GP (huisarts) soon after you arrive, before you need one; ask practices near your home. See our guide to finding an English-speaking doctor.
If you come to live or work in the Netherlands, Dutch health insurance is mandatory, with cover from the day you arrive; take it out no later than 4 months after arriving (government.nl). The Rijksoverheid puts the average basic premium for 2026 at €157 per month, with a standard annual deductible of €385. Use the Health Insurance Wizard to compare policies and find the right level of cover for your situation. Compare Dutch and international expat insurance options with the Insurance Comparison.
See the health insurance guide for a full explanation of how the Dutch system works.
Transport
Nijmegen Centraal connects the city to the Dutch rail network. Arnhem lies to the north; check the NS journey planner for current times to Arnhem, Utrecht and Amsterdam Centraal.
Within the city, most people cycle. Unlike most Dutch cities, Nijmegen has hills, for example around the Valkhof and towards Berg en Dal.
Buses connect the outer districts and Lent to the city centre and station. You can pay with an OV-chipkaart or contactless with your bank card (OVpay).
For a full guide to OV travel in the Netherlands, see the OV-chipkaart guide for expats.
Getting Started in Nijmegen
Moving to Nijmegen requires a few first steps. Here are the most important ones:
Arrange payment details — A Dutch bank account is convenient for local payments, but a reachable SEPA account cannot simply be rejected because its IBAN is from another Member State. Wise gives verified customers EUR account details with a non-Dutch euro IBAN (Wise uses a Belgian BIC and address) rather than an NL IBAN. Open a Wise account → Use the Bank Account Comparison to find the right Dutch bank for your situation.
Get health insurance — Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering) is mandatory if you come to live or work here; take it out no later than 4 months after arriving. Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →
Travel cover — For trips abroad, or periods when the Dutch obligation does not apply to you, SafetyWing sells Nomad Insurance from USD 62.72 per 4 weeks (Essential, ages 18 to 39, safetywing.com, checked 5 October 2026). It does not replace Dutch health insurance. Get SafetyWing coverage →
Plan your budget — Use our free cost of living calculator and housing budget checker to see what you can afford in Nijmegen.
Expat Community & Social Life
Nijmegen’s international community is anchored around Radboud University and Radboudumc, so your employer’s welcome activities are a good first step.
The social scene centres on the Centrum and Bottendaal. Doornroosje and Merleyn are music venues, and the Waalkade along the river is a popular place to sit outside in summer.
The Vierdaagse (in July) is worth experiencing even if you do not walk it: the city fills up for the walk, and the Vierdaagsefeesten festival runs for seven days around it.
The wooded hills around Berg en Dal and the Ooijpolder east of the city are within cycling distance.
Schools and Families
Check the international school options in the Arnhem–Nijmegen region for current availability and waiting lists, and register early.
For families on longer assignments, Dutch-medium schools are also an option; ask schools near your home how they support children who do not yet speak Dutch.
Housing Search: Practical Advice
Nijmegen’s rental market is competitive for well-located properties. Part of the cheaper stock is student housing. For professionals, compare current listings in Centrum, Bottendaal and Hengstdal, and in Lent and the outer districts for more space.
Rental platforms and local agencies list most homes. If you arrive through Radboud University or Radboudumc, ask what housing support it offers.
Lent, on the north bank of the Waal, has newer housing stock; you cross the river by bike or bus to reach the centre.
Daily Life in Nijmegen
The Waal is part of daily life: the Waalkade quayside in the city centre is used for eating and drinking outdoors in summer, and the Valkhof park on the hill above the river has views across the Waal towards Lent and historical remains in its grounds.
The Vierdaagse in July is a cultural event as much as a logistical one. The walk — more than 45,000 participants walking 30, 40 or 50 km a day for four days (4daagse.nl) — comes with the Vierdaagsefeesten, a seven-day festival with outdoor stages (vierdaagsefeesten.nl). For new residents, it is worth planning around: accommodation and transport are busy that week.
Settling In: The First Month
- Confirm housing with registration permission from the landlord
- Book your registration at the Gemeente Nijmegen (nijmegen.nl) and register within five days of arriving
- Receive your BSN at registration
- Open a bank account
- Take out health insurance (within 4 months of arriving)
- Register with a GP
- Apply for DigiD after you have your BSN
If you arrive through Radboud University or Radboudumc, ask what induction or arrival support your employer offers.