Germany - basics - Countries Guide

Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.

Language: German is the official language. English is also widely spoken and understood.

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. Cases of bird flu have been reported throughout the country, but no human infections have been found. The deadly virus has also been found in cats. The risk is low for travellers to Germany, but all close contact with wild, caged or domestic birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes should be well cooked as a precaution.

Tipping: Some restaurant bills already have a service charge added, but if this is not the case add 5-10%. Hotel porters expect around EUR1, 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.

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 EUR175 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.

Climate: Coastal regions of Germany have a temperate climate with warm summers and mild cloudy winters. Inland, the climate is more continental with warmer summers and colder winters. The Alpine and upland regions have cooler weather and more rain. Rain can be expected throughout the country all year round.
Cities & Regions: Berlin | Munich | Frankfurt | The Black Forest | Hamburg