How Things Work in Germany
Everything Tourists Need to Know
Tip 5–10% at restaurants by rounding up the bill. Always pay directly to the server, not by leaving cash on the table.
Updated 2025-01
Germany has excellent trains, trams, and buses. Buy a day pass (Tageskarte) for city travel. Deutsche Bahn runs intercity trains — book in advance for discounts.
Updated 2025-01
Germany has excellent healthcare. EU citizens use their EHIC card. Non-EU tourists need travel insurance. Pharmacies are widely available for minor issues.
Updated 2025-01
Jaywalking is a minor offense. Nazi symbols and Holocaust denial are criminal offenses. Cycling without a light at night is illegal. Noise rules are strict.
Updated 2025-01
Police: 110. Ambulance & Fire: 112. Medical non-emergency: 116117. All EU emergency: 112.
Updated 2025-01
Germany is relaxed about clothing. Dress practically. Some clubs and upscale restaurants have dress codes. Churches ask for modest dress.
Updated 2025-01
Drinking in public is legal. Beer and wine from age 16, spirits from 18. Germany has a vibrant beer culture with no real restrictions on public consumption.
Updated 2025-01
Germany has fixed prices. Bargaining is not the norm in shops or restaurants. Some negotiation is acceptable when buying second-hand items or at flea markets.
Updated 2025-01
Photography is generally free in public. Privacy laws are strict — do not photograph individuals without consent and do not publish photos of people without their permission.
Updated 2025-01
Shops are closed on Sundays by law. Restaurants and cafés are open. Supermarkets close Sunday. Plan your grocery shopping for Saturday.
Updated 2025-01
Uber in Germany operates only with licensed taxis, not private drivers — expect the same metered fares as a regular cab.
Updated 2025-06
Tap water in Germany is completely safe to drink throughout the entire country and meets some of the highest quality standards in Europe.
Updated 2025-06
Germany is more cash-dependent than most Western European countries — always carry euros as many restaurants and smaller shops are cash-only.
Updated 2025-06
Buy a prepaid SIM at the airport or any Saturn/MediaMarkt electronics store — Telekom offers the best coverage across Germany.
Updated 2025-06
Germany uses Type C and Type F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — the same standard as most of continental Europe.
Updated 2025-06
Germany has very low scam activity — fixed prices are universal and tourists are rarely targeted, though a few low-level schemes exist in major city centres.
Updated 2025-06
Germany is very safe for tourists — violent crime targeting visitors is extremely rare, though a few urban areas have localised issues worth knowing about.
Updated 2025-06
Punctuality, directness, and respect for rules are core German values — being on time and following social norms will earn immediate respect.
Updated 2025-06
German is the official language, but English is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas — learning a few German phrases is warmly appreciated.
Updated 2025-06
Germany has beautiful Baltic and North Sea coasts and scenic inland lakes, but water temperatures are cool — expect 15–20°C at peak summer.
Updated 2025-06
Drive on the right; parts of the Autobahn have no speed limit, but strict enforcement applies everywhere else and drink-driving laws are among Europe's toughest.
Updated 2025-06
German food is hearty and regional — bread, sausages, pretzels, and Schnitzel are staples, and lunch is often the main meal of the day.
Updated 2025-06
Germany's churches and cathedrals are open to tourists, while mosques and synagogues welcome respectful visitors — modest dress and advance notice are key.
Updated 2025-06
May to September is the best time to visit Germany — summers are warm and pleasant, while Christmas market season in November–December is magical.
Updated 2025-06
Germany is manageable on a budget — supermarket picnics, lunch specials, early train bookings, and free outdoor attractions keep costs down significantly.
Updated 2025-06