Invest in Rotterdam

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Looking to start or grow your business or joint venture? Rotterdam is the perfect location for your next investment. Rotterdam, ‘Gateway to Europe', provides great access to European markets and business hubs and has the best connectivity and infrastructure in Europe. Our buzzing, diverse and inclusive city is also a hub that attracts international talents, vital for any growing international company. It’s easy doing business in Rotterdam. Here’s why.

5 Reasons to choose Rotterdam:

1. Ideally located, great access to European markets

For any internationally operating business, proximity and access to markets is key. The city and port of Rotterdam are ideally located and provide great access to the EU single market. From here you can reach over 170 million consumers in a 500 km radius. Our entrepreneurial ecosystem is very accessible and our international business community and innovation ecosystem stretches across sectors and industries, with special focus on designing, developing and delivering solutions for global challenges like energy transition, digitalisation and developing the circular economy.

Europe’s #1 port
All major West-European business hubs just 24 hours away
Connections to 1,000+ ports worldwide

2. Best connected large European city

Rotterdam has the best connectivity and great infrastructure, with direct train connections to major European business hubs and two international airports. Rotterdam offers high quality logistics facilities and intermodal transport options, ensuring easy and sustainable access to customers and suppliers. Rotterdam’s port, the largest and busiest in Europe, drives innovation and business opportunities in energy transition and digitalisation. The city’s data-driven economy with excellent digital infrastructure and tech ecosystem, facilitates hybrid working environments and provides a digital gateway to other European business hubs.

High-speed train connections to major European cities
2 international airports within 24-minute reach
300+ direct international destinations

Rotterdam: best connected large European city according to fDI Intelligence

3. International talent hub

Rotterdam is a hotbed for international talents who come here for high quality education, career opportunities and also for the bustling, inclusive, diverse urban scene. Our region houses highly rated universities and schools for vocational education, including Erasmus University Rotterdam, Delft University of Technology and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Rotterdam offers you all the benefits of the Dutch system for international workers, including fast-track immigration procedures for highly skilled non-EU citizens (and immigration treaties with USA and Japan) and 30% tax ruling.

#3 most competitive country for talent in Europe and #5 in the world
highly rated universities and schools for vocational education

4. Ease of doing business

Our culture is characterized by its openness and everybody speaks English to a high standard. Rotterdam warmly welcomes international businesses and supports them in setting up and expanding operations. Our city compares favourably on attractiveness of business locations, average business costs and pricing per m2. Our entrepreneurial community, strong business development infrastructure with co-working spaces, incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs and a supportive local government make our city an buzzing hub for international start-ups and scale-ups, corporates, venture capital firms and angel investors. Will we welcome you next?

#1 in the world English as 2nd language
#4 most innovative country in the world

Top global tech ecosystems in the world - according to Dealroom

5. City like no other

Life isn’t only about business, you want to feel at home. Rotterdam is open, welcoming and home to people from 170+ nationalities and different backgrounds. International schools, our highly rated healthcare system, affordable housing and relatively low cost of living make Rotterdam the perfect location for internationals. Our dynamic and bustling city also offers plenty to enjoy in your leisure time! Rotterdam is remarkably green, compact and spacious and easy to get around on foot or by bike. You’ll feel right at home!

Vibrant, international city with 170+ nationalities
The Netherlands #2 in the world Quality of Life
#1 most inclusive workplaces in the world

For inspiration and information on all that Rotterdam has to offer, check Rotterdam.info!

Why Rotterdam

There are so many reasons to invest in Rotterdam. This infographic comprises some of the top rankings for Rotterdam’s business climate and innovation ecosystem.

Download our Why Rotterdam infographic

Key industries to invest

Our entrepreneurial city actively supports innovative start-ups and scale-ups and offers a fruitful environment for multiple key industries (see below). In Rotterdam, we look for crossovers and companies that present solutions in innovation and sustainability to strengthen our ecosystems, and for new and innovative ways to help businesses grow.

Maritime

IT & Tech

Energy

Life Sciences & Health

Agri & Food

Transport & Logistics

Why Rotterdam

Rotterdam's ambitions for a resilient future

Sustainability

Innovation

Inclusivity

Rotterdam, city of energy transition

Get in touch with us

Whether you want to set up or expand your business or organise an event, Rotterdam Partners, the city's official Investment Promotion Agency, is your starting point. We will share our broad expertise and network, dedicated guidance and up-to-date knowledge of Rotterdam. Get in touch, and we will guide you every step of the way and make it happen!