Germany Basics |
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Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Money: The unit of currency is the Euro (EUR), divided into 100 cents. ATMs and exchange bureaux are widely available. The major credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in many large shops, hotels and restaurants, although Germans themselves prefer to carry cash. Travellers cheques are best cashed at exchange bureaux, as banks often won't change them. The quickest and most convenient way to change money is to obtain cash from one of the ATM machines that are ubiquitous features on all German streets. Banks are closed on weekends, but exchange bureaux at airports and main railway stations are open daily from 6am to 10pm.
Currency Exchange Rates |
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| €1.00 = | US$ 1.56 | £ 0.80 | C$ 1.55 | A$ 1.63 | R 11.85 | € 1.00 | NZ$ 2.01 |
Language: German is the official language. English is also widely spoken and understood.
Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days in six months if the passport is endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen with the right of abode in the UK, or British Subject with the right of abode in the UK. If the intended stay exceeds 90 days, British Citizens can obtain a visa after arrival. In all other cases a visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals require a passport and a Schengen visa, which must be obtained prior to departure. Entry is not allowed on a temporary passport.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Also required for non-EEA members are onward or return tickets, sufficient funds to provide financial support, and documents for further travel. Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, USA and New Zealand do not need to hold onward or return tickets.
Health: There are no serious health risks in Germany. The German health service is excellent. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to free medical and dental treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Nationals of other countries should take out medical insurance.
Tipping: Some restaurant bills already have a service charge added, but if this is not the case add 5-10%. Hotel porters expect around €1, and cleaning staff, hairdressers, taxi drivers etc expect small tips.
Safety: A visit to Germany should be trouble free, but take normal precautions to avoid mugging, bag-snatching and pick-pocketing, especially at airports and railway stations in the large cities.
Customs: Visitors should carry passports with them at all times.
Business: In Germany, business is conducted in a very formal manner. A conservative, formal sense of dress is to be adhered to. Punctuality is vital at all meetings and it is considered rude to be late. Germans love titles; men are referred to as 'Herr' and women as 'Frau', followed by their last names until otherwise specified. Meetings are often purely business and may not occur over lunches, which are generally more social. Shaking hands at the beginning and end of the meeting is common. The exchange of business cards is common but there is no accompanying ritual. Decisions are often made behind closed doors. Business hours are generally 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken over lunch.
Communications: The international access code for Germany is +49. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Berlin is (0)30. Note that telephone numbers in Germany can range from four to nine digits. There are surcharges on international calls made from hotels; it is often cheaper to use public telephone boxes in post offices, which use phone cards. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.
Duty Free: Passengers arriving from non-EU countries can enter Germany without paying duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g smoking tobacco, or a proportional mix of these products; 1 litre of spirits with 22% alcohol volume, or 2 litres of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages with alcohol content lower than 22% or sparkling, still or liqueur wines, or a proportional mix of these; perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette; 500g coffee; and other goods to the value of €175 for personal consumption. Prohibited items include any poultry or pet birds from poultry and derived products coming from Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.