Dating in Groningen: Best Free Sites & Apps for English Speakers

A young city in the north

Groningen feels different from the cities of the Randstad. It is the main city of the northern Netherlands, a long way from Amsterdam, and it has developed its own confident identity. The biggest factor in its dating scene is simple: students. The University of Groningen, founded in 1614, and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences give the city one of the youngest populations in the country, and a large share of those students come from abroad.

That has two consequences. First, English is everywhere, from lecture halls to bars. Second, the dating pool changes every September, as new students arrive and others graduate and leave. If you are in your twenties, you will rarely run out of new people to meet. If you are older, or looking for something settled, it helps to be more deliberate about where you look.

Dating apps vs Dutch dating sites in Groningen

Among students, the free apps dominate. Tinder and Bumble offer free matching and free chat, and Hinge lets you send a limited number of likes per day with free chat after a match. All three have English interfaces, which is why they are the default for international students.

The picture changes for people who work in Groningen and want a lasting relationship. Here the Dutch sites in our Netherlands ranking are worth a look:

• Lexa, our highest-rated site, is designed for serious relationships between roughly 25 and 59. Profiles, browsing and likes are free; messaging is paid.
• Parship matches people looking for a long-term partner, aged around 30 to 70, using a personality test. The test, match suggestions and smiles are free, while photos and messaging are paid.
• Ourtime serves singles over 50, with free registration, browsing and likes, and paid messaging.

All three are in Dutch. In a city where many locals are open to dating internationals, a profile written partly in Dutch, even simply, can stand out.

Where to go out in Groningen

Groningen is known across the country for its nightlife, and bars here are not bound to a fixed closing time, so evenings can run very late. Most of the action is concentrated in a small area, which makes it easy to meet people:

• The Grote Markt and the Vismarkt, the two central squares, surrounded by bars and terraces.
• The Poelestraat and Peperstraat, the busiest streets for going out.
• The Noorderplantsoen, a park just north of the centre where students gather on warm days.

Daytime options are just as useful. The Forum Groningen, a cultural building in the centre, is a popular place to spend an afternoon. Student associations, sports clubs at the Zernike campus, choirs and theatre groups all welcome newcomers. Meetup and InterNations both have communities here, and language cafés are a good way to meet Dutch people who want to practise their English.

Dating tips for internationals in Groningen

Groningers are often described as sober and reserved at first, even by Dutch standards, but friendly and loyal once you get to know them. Do not mistake directness or a short reply for lack of interest. First dates are usually informal: a coffee in the centre, a drink on the Vismarkt or a bike ride out of the city, since the countryside starts very close by.

Expect to split the bill and to cycle everywhere. In winter, the wind from the north can be fierce, so cosy indoor plans are the norm from November to March. And as anywhere, meet new matches in public, keep a friend informed and be wary of anyone asking for money.

Which site fits you in Groningen?

Groningen is a young student city in the north, where apps dominate and serious sites take over once people settle. The sites in our Dutch ranking are all in Dutch.

Student on a budget

Tinder and Bumble both work in English and keep chat with matches free. Free tip: write your bio in English and Dutch to widen who swipes on you.

Expat who doesn’t speak Dutch yet

Hinge works in English and limits likes per day, which pushes you towards thoughtful messages. Free tip: chat with matches is free, so no subscription is needed to get started.

New in town and open to something serious

Lexa is our top-rated Dutch site for serious relationships, for ages 25-59. It is in Dutch, so use your browser’s translate feature. Free tip: creating a profile, browsing and sending likes are free; messaging is paid.

Over 50 and starting again

Ourtime is dedicated to singles over 50 and runs in Dutch. Free tip: browse and send likes for free to see who is active in the north before you subscribe.

Dating in Groningen: FAQ

Is Tinder popular in Groningen?

Very. With so many students, Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are the most used dating apps in Groningen, and they are free to chat on and available in English.

Is it easy to date in Groningen as a foreigner?

Yes, especially if you are a student or in your twenties. The international community is large and English is widely spoken.

Which dating site is best for over-30s in Groningen?

Lexa and Parship suit people who want something serious. Both are free to join but charge for messaging, and both are in Dutch.

Where do singles go out in Groningen?

Around the Grote Markt, the Vismarkt, the Poelestraat and the Peperstraat, all within a few minutes’ walk of each other.