Germany
Germany travel FAQ: 25 common questions answered
Most visitors from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland do not need a visa for Germany for stays up to 90 days in any 180 — but from 2026 many of them need ETIAS authorisation before boarding (check). Everyone else should apply for a Schengen visa at a German mission weeks ahead.
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GuideGermany
Key facts
- Visa-free staycheck
- 90 days in any 180 for US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland passports (check)
- ETIAScheck
- Required for visa-exempt visitors once live; apply online before travel (check)
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €); cards accepted almost everywhere, keep €20–50 cash
- Best months
- May–September for cities and Alps; December for markets
- Daily budgetcheck
- €90–130 mid-range per person, 2026 estimate
- Emergency numbers
- 112 fire and ambulance · 110 police · 116 117 out-of-hours doctor
- Tipping
- Round up or add 5–10%, said to the server as you pay
- Plugs
- Types C and F, 230 V 50 Hz
Visa
Germany sits in the Schengen area, so one visa or visa-free entry covers the whole zone for the same trip. Passport holders from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland can normally enter for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa; other nationalities need a Schengen visa arranged before travel. Rules change, so confirm your own case before booking.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need a visa for Germany? | US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland: no visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180 (check). Other passports: Schengen visa in advance. |
| What is ETIAS? | An online pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, introduced from 2026 (check). |
| How long can I stay? | 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area, not per country (check). |
| Do I need a passport valid for six months? | Most visitors need a passport valid at least three months beyond planned departure (check). |
Money
Germany runs on the euro and is close to cashless: cards work in hotels, supermarkets, ticket machines and most restaurants. Small bakeries, kiosks and some Imbiss counters still prefer cash, so carry €20–50. Tipping is not obligatory; round up or add 5–10% and say the amount as you pay.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| How much money do I need for Germany? | €90–130 per person per day mid-range, 2026 estimate; hostels and self-catering cut this to €50–70 (check). |
| Can I pay by card? | Yes almost everywhere; keep some cash for small vendors (check). |
| How much do I tip? | Round up or add 5–10%, stated to the server when you pay. |
| Is the Deutschland-Ticket worth it? | Yes if you stay a month and use regional trains, buses and metros; it does not cover high-speed ICE (check). |
Safety
Germany is a low-risk destination for most travellers. The realistic problems are pickpocketing in station areas and on busy metro lines, bicycle traffic in cities, and petty theft at big events. Emergency numbers are free from any phone: 112 for fire and ambulance, 110 for police, 116 117 for an out-of-hours doctor.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Is Germany safe to visit? | Yes for the great majority of trips; watch bags in stations and on night transport (check). |
| Is it safe at night? | City centres and transport are generally fine; use normal caution around main stations after midnight (check). |
| What if I need a doctor? | Call 116 117 for out-of-hours care; 112 for emergencies. Pharmacies rotate night duty (check). |
| Do I need travel insurance? | Strongly advised; EU/EEA health cards do not cover most non-EU visitors (check). |
Getting around
High-speed ICE trains link the big cities; regional trains, S-Bahn and U-Bahn cover the rest. Book ICE seats early for the cheapest fares, and validate nothing — tickets bought in advance are already valid. Driving is right-hand side with no car toll, and long stretches of Autobahn have no fixed speed limit, though 130 km/h is the advised maximum.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to rent a car? | No for city trips; yes for the Black Forest, Bavarian Alps and rural areas (check). |
| How do I get from the airport to the city? | S-Bahn or regional train in most cities; Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt all have direct rail links (check). |
| Is the train cheaper than flying? | Often, if booked 2–6 weeks ahead; flying can win on long north–south routes (check). |
| Can I drive on the Autobahn? | Yes with a valid licence; no toll for cars, 130 km/h advised where unrestricted. |
Food
Restaurant meals run €12–20 for a main in a mid-range place, €8–12 at an Imbiss, and lunch menus (Mittagstisch) are cheaper than dinner. Vegetarian and vegan options are common in cities. Tap water is safe to drink everywhere.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Is tap water safe? | Yes throughout Germany (check). |
| Do I need to book restaurants? | Yes for popular places in Berlin, Munich and Hamburg on weekends (check). |
| What should I try? | Regional dishes: currywurst in Berlin, Weisswurst in Munich, Kölsch in Cologne, Franconian beer in Bamberg. |
| Can I eat cheaply? | Yes: bakeries, Döner, Imbiss and supermarket lunches keep a day under €25 (check). |
Weather
May to September is the reliable window for cities, the Rhine and the Alps; December is for Christmas markets and city breaks. Winters are cold and grey in the north, snowier in Bavaria. Summer can hit 30 °C+ in Berlin and the Rhine valley.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What is the best time to visit Germany? | May–September for most trips; December for markets and cities (check). |
| How cold is winter? | Around 0–5 °C in cities, colder and snowier in Bavaria and the Alps (check). |
| Does it rain a lot? | Yes, year-round; pack a light rain jacket rather than an umbrella (check). |
| When is the Alps season? | Hiking June–September, skiing January–March (check). |
Health
No vaccinations are required for entry to Germany. Pharmacies (Apotheke) handle minor issues and rotate night duty; call 116 117 for an out-of-hours doctor. Bring any prescription medicine in its original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need vaccinations? | No routine vaccinations required for entry (check). |
| Can I buy medicine easily? | Yes at Apotheke; some items need a prescription (check). |
| Is healthcare expensive? | Yes for visitors without insurance; travel cover is strongly advised (check). |
| What about ticks? | Lyme disease risk in forest areas in summer; check after hikes (check). |
Questions people ask
Do I need a visa for Germany?
US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland passport holders can normally enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 across Schengen. Other nationalities need a Schengen visa in advance. From 2026 visa-exempt visitors also need ETIAS authorisation (check).
What is the best time to visit Germany?
May to September for cities, the Rhine and the Alps; December for Christmas markets and city breaks. July and August are busiest and priciest. Winter is cold and grey, snowier in Bavaria.
How much money do I need for Germany?
Plan €90–130 per person per day mid-range in 2026, covering a hotel room, meals, transport and one paid sight. Hostels and self-catering bring this to €50–70. Add €60–120 for a long-distance ICE ticket if you cross the country.
Is Germany safe to visit?
Yes for the great majority of trips. The realistic risks are pickpocketing around main stations and on night transport, plus bicycle traffic in cities. Emergency numbers are 112 for fire and ambulance, 110 for police.
Do I need to speak German?
No. English is widely spoken by under-50s in cities and by most tourism staff. Rural areas and parts of the east are less reliable, so a few phrases and a translation app help.
Can I pay by card in Germany?
Almost always in hotels, supermarkets, ticket machines and most restaurants. Small bakeries, kiosks and some Imbiss counters still prefer cash, so carry €20–50.
How do I get around Germany?
High-speed ICE trains link the big cities; regional trains, S-Bahn and U-Bahn cover the rest. Book ICE seats 2–6 weeks ahead for the cheapest fares. Rent a car only for rural areas such as the Black Forest or Bavarian Alps.
Is tap water safe to drink in Germany?
Yes, tap water is safe to drink throughout the country (check). Restaurants charge for bottled water, so refill a bottle at your hotel instead.
What should I pack for Germany?
Layers, a light rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes and a Type C or F plug adapter for 230 V. Add warm gloves and a hat for December and for Alpine trips.
How much do I tip in Germany?
Round up or add 5–10%. Say the total you want to pay as you hand over the money or card, rather than leaving coins on the table.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialFederal Foreign Office – Visa and entry
- officialETIAS – official EU site
- officialDeutsche Bahn
- officialGermany.travel – national tourism board
- secondaryWikivoyage – Germany