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

The Nijmegen dating scene

Nijmegen, on the river Waal close to the German border, often calls itself the oldest city in the Netherlands, with roots going back to Roman times. Today, though, it is defined by its young population. Radboud University and the HAN University of Applied Sciences make it one of the country’s major student cities, and the campus at Heyendaal brings researchers and international students from many countries.

The atmosphere is relaxed and a bit alternative, with a strong left-leaning, cultural streak. People are generally approachable, and English is spoken widely among students and young professionals. Because the city is smaller than Amsterdam or Rotterdam, social circles overlap quickly: you will start bumping into the same faces after a few weeks, which makes meeting people easier but also means news travels fast.

Online dating in Nijmegen: what to use

The ranking shown above is our Netherlands ranking, and it applies in Nijmegen as everywhere in the country. Here is how each partner fits:

• Lexa: our top site for serious relationships, aimed at people aged roughly 25 to 59. You can create a profile, browse and send likes for free. Messaging is paid, and the interface is in Dutch.
• Ourtime: for singles over 50. The same free features (profile, browsing, likes) with paid messaging, also in Dutch.
• Parship: for long-term relationships, aged about 30 to 70. Free personality test, match suggestions and smiles; photos and messaging are paid. Dutch interface.

For international students, the English-language apps are the natural starting point. Tinder and Bumble offer free matching and free chat, and Hinge gives a limited number of daily likes with free chat with matches. One tip specific to Nijmegen: because Arnhem is only a short train ride away, widening your search radius a little roughly doubles the pool without making dates hard to arrange.

Where to meet people in Nijmegen

The Waalkade, the quay along the river, is the city’s favourite place for a summer drink with a view of the Waal bridge. Up the hill, the Grote Markt and the streets of the old centre are lined with cafés and bars, and many student pubs are clustered in the streets around them. The Goffertpark, a large park in the south of the city, is the place for picnics, running and summer festivals.

Every July, the city hosts the International Four Days Marches (the Vierdaagse), a long-established walking event that turns Nijmegen into a week-long street party. It is one of the most sociable times of the year and an easy moment to meet people, even if you do not walk a single kilometre.

The rest of the year, the student sports centre, rowing and hockey clubs, choirs, volunteering projects and Meetup groups are good ways to build a network. Language cafés are popular with both internationals and Dutch students, and InterNations brings together expats who live in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region.

Tips for dating in Nijmegen

Keep it simple. A coffee in the old centre, a drink on the Waalkade or a walk along the river are the classic first dates. If the weather is good, a bike ride to the wooded hills south-east of the city, towards the German border, makes a memorable second date. Splitting the bill is common, and nobody will expect you to plan an elaborate evening.

The usual safety rules apply: meet somewhere public, tell a friend, and do not share personal details too quickly. In a smaller city, it is also worth being kind and clear when you are not interested: chances are you will see that person again.

Which site fits you in Nijmegen?

Nijmegen is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and a lively university town, with a mix of students and long-time residents. Dutch sites in our ranking are in Dutch, while the free apps work in English.

Student on a budget

Tinder keeps swiping and chat with matches free and works in English. Free tip: add Bumble, where matching and chatting are also free.

New in town and open to something serious

Lexa targets serious relationships for 25-59 and is in Dutch. Free tip: profile, browsing and likes cost nothing, so you can test it before paying for messages.

30+ and looking for a long-term partner

Parship uses a personality test to suggest compatible profiles. The interface is Dutch, so translate as you fill it in. Free tip: do the test and view your suggestions for free.

Over 50 and starting again

Ourtime is aimed at singles over 50, in Dutch. Free tip: create a profile and browse for free; messaging requires a subscription.

Dating in Nijmegen: FAQ

Is Nijmegen a good city for dating as a student?

Yes. It has a large, international student population, English is widely spoken, and Tinder, Hinge and Bumble are free to chat on.

Which dating site is free in Nijmegen?

Lexa, Ourtime and Parship are free to join and browse, but messaging is paid on all of them. The free apps let you chat with matches at no cost.

Where do singles go out in Nijmegen?

The Waalkade in summer, and the bars and cafés around the Grote Markt and the old centre all year round.