Germany is a country of fascinating history, rich culture, stunning architecture, and world-class beer. Yet it is also the country that has turnstiles in restrooms (but not in metro), where water in restaurants might cost you more than beer, and where first-time visitors, if not up to speed with the ‘German way’ of doing things, make all sorts of tourist mistakes.
So we - one tourist and one local - decided to put together a list of useful things you need to know before traveling to Germany.
And no, we might not be able to explain why Germans do certain things the way they do, but we will tell you what you may expect during your travels through this awesome country.
On with the list of useful things to know before traveling to Germany!
Before you arrive
When you’re headed for the border…
Let’s first get the important stuff out of the way - entry requirements.
Depending on your nationality, you either have to obtain a Schengen Visa or fill out European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) online application (mandatory starting 2023) before your trip.
We found this useful page if doubts arise about which one you need.
If you need a visa, you have to collect a pile of papers for your application. If you do not - consider yourself lucky (or to be more precise, privileged). All you need to worry about is round-trip tickets and travel insurance.
At the passport control, be prepared to answer questions regarding the purpose of your visit, approximate itinerary, travel companions, previous entries if any, ongoing travel plans (keep the outbound ticket handy), and, nowadays, be ready to show COVID-related documentation.
Stay safe, get travel insurance
Travel insurance is a requirement for obtaining a short-term visa. For those who travel visa-free, travel insurance is optional, but we still highly recommend getting it.
As we found out firsthand, the costs of urgent health care in Germany are steep. A trip to an emergency room with sharp abdominal pain ended up costing over 2000 Euros. No pocket change, if you ask us.
Your domestic health insurance provider is not likely to cover you while out of the country. Still, it is worth checking with them first.
Here are some of the providers who offer reasonably priced travel insurance: Safety Wing, AXA Schengen, Europ Assistance (does not cover COVID-19 at the time of this post). Bear in mind that those cover emergencies only and not regular check-ups of any sort. Read the fine print to avoid surprises and disappointments.
If it’s an emergency
While we’re on a topic - it is always wise to know the emergency numbers of your traveling destination, if not for you then just in case you witness an accident. For Germany, those numbers are following:
- Police: 110
- Fire/medical services: 112
Consult this article for other types of non-emergency services in Germany.
Language Barrier
You’ll get by with English
If you do not speak German, don’t fret. You will likely have no trouble with basic communication in Germany. A good proportion of Germans speak English (allegedly, half of the country’s population does!), especially in large cities and in areas with tourist attractions.
That is not to say that you should address people in English by default. ‘Sprechen Sie Englisch?’ (Do You speak English?) is the phrase which will help you politely inquire about a stranger’s knowledge of English.
By the way, chances are high the answer to your question will be “a little bit” with the person to then continue speaking to you in fluent English. Humble folk those Germans!
And of course, it’s always a great idea to learn a few useful phrases when traveling to a foreign country.
German dialects
There is a huge number of German dialects - some linguists estimate nearly 250 - that differ, in various degrees, from the Standard German which is used in formal contexts and media and also taught in foreign schools. In some instances, the difference between dialects is so stark that people from different parts of Germany have trouble understanding one another.
Don’t be surprised when instead of the Standard German you learned in school you hear a dialect only remotely sounding like it - Bavarian for example.
Watch this video to get a taste of different German dialects.
Getting around places
Public transportation is (mostly) good
You might have heard that public transportation in Germany is a well-oiled machine - disruptions are infrequent, timetables are followed with vigor, and operating hours stretch far into the night.
That might be true for major cities, but things get a bit trickier in smaller towns. Typically, the smaller the town, the less frequent and punctual the service.
Take that into account when putting together your itinerary. We recommend doing online research on your destinations’ public transportation system before the trip and downloading the corresponding app (if available) to navigate with ease.
For general information about modes of public transport in Germany, check out this article.
Do not ride without a ticket
Have you heard that the metro in Germany is free? No? Well, because it’s not.
Yet you might think it is considering nothing prevents you from going down the escalator and straight onto the platform - no turnstiles or ticket checkpoints.
As it turns out, German public transport operates on an honor system few people dare to violate. You are expected to buy a ticket and validate it in one of the machines at the entrance (a weekly or monthly pass needs no stamping).
As tempting as it is, do not ride without a ticket! Some monitoring, even though infrequent, does exist. Non-uniformed metro personnel may appear out of thin air during your ride requesting to see a validated ticket. If you don’t have one, they will fine you 60 Euros on the spot. No excuses.
Stay off the bike lane
When strolling through a German city or town, pay close attention to the line - sometimes ambiguous - dividing pedestrian path from a bike lane. Many Germans use bicycles as their main mode of transportation so they treat a bike lane as car drivers treat a highway - get angry (and rightfully so) if you stand in the middle of it. Spare yourself an accident and potential litigation - stick to a pedestrian path!
When driving in Germany
Renting a car during your stay in Germany? Here are a few things to bear in mind.
Firstly, when driving in cities and towns, keep your eyes peeled for bicyclists. Roughly 75% of Germans own bikes, which makes for a lot of cyclists out on the roads. Do not block bike lanes and look twice before making a turn to avoid getting into an accident or/and a confrontation with an angry German.
Secondly, contrary to popular belief, autobahns do have speed limits on some stretches, so always be on the lookout for those. Drive on the far right lane, and only use left and center lanes to pass slower cars. On the stretches where there’s no speed limit, there’s always going to be someone driving plenty faster than you, so stay to the right.
Lastly, German roads are packed with speed and red-light cameras, and with very inconspicuous warning signs (if any) at that. The fines are not outrageously high, but the rental company you got your car from can slap on a hefty processing fee on top.
Respect the little green man
Cars or no cars, never walk across a road on red in this rule-loving country. Germans have a deep respect for the little green guy rooted in the responsibility before the younger generation more than anything else. Crossing on red, especially in presence of children, is considered socially inappropriate.
Drinking and eating out
Always carry cash
If you are not used to carrying cash, you’ll have a couple of reasons to make it a habit during your stay in Germany.
Some restaurants, bars, street vendors, and beer gardens accept cash as the only method of payment. Save yourself the hassle of having to find the nearest ATM after those three beers and a schnitzel.
Other places you’ll be glad to have some change in your pocket are museums and galleries. Often, museum attendants will ask you to store your backpack or other bulky items in a locker which typically operates on a 1 or 2 Euro coin (which you get back after retrieving your items).
Shopping carts in grocery stores are unlocked for use by a 1 Euro coin - an ingenious way to convince shoppers to return carts to their original location.
But most appreciation for coins you’ll likely feel suddenly and unexpectedly… when nature calls.
Pay to pee
The thing that frustrates many tourists (and locals alike) in Germany is the fee for using public restrooms. It ranges anywhere from 50 Cents to a whole Euro and is deposited into the machine that operates the turnstile or is paid to a restroom attendant. Occasionally, you get a receipt that can be applied toward a purchase at the associated park or tourist attraction.
Now, not all public restrooms are pay-to-use. Typically, shopping centers and restaurants do not charge their customers for using the restrooms (even though some still may).
In general, it may be challenging to find a public restroom when traveling around. Unlike in the USA, for instance, grocery stores don’t typically have customer restrooms. So be aware of that when planning a city tour. Maybe skip those two cups of coffee before you head out.
Water in restaurants is not free
“I’ll just have water” in a German restaurant will get you sparkling water. It will most likely be in a big glass bottle and may cost more than a beer. If you’d like still water, you’ll have to specifically ask for it. But it will still be in a bottle.
In Germany, it’s not customary to serve tap water in restaurants, and equally so not customary to ask for it. Yet it is not a crime if you do, contrary to what some sources online may claim.
Restaurant service
If you are coming from a country where service staff in restaurants is hyper-attentive and friendly, prepare to be disappointed. You are guaranteed to find German customer service cold and uninspiring.
Do not expect your waiter or waitress to smile radiantly when taking your order or cheerfully inquire about the level of satisfaction after your meal arrives. It’s simply not the German style.
Tipping etiquette - how much and how
Don’t let the prosaic approach to customer service lure you into being stingy. Tipping is still expected and certainly appreciated. It is customary to leave 10% in restaurants and round up in cafes and taxis.
For those who visit Germany for the first time, the whole process of tipping can be confusing. Here’s how it goes. When the server tells you the amount you owe, add the tip to that number and tell the server the total you would like to be charged. For instance, if your bill came up to 50 Euros, you can say “55 Euros,” and the server will know that the extra 5 Euros is the tip. When paying cash, tell the amount you expect back or simply say ‘Stimmt so’ (Literal translation: It’s correct) if you do not need change. Done!
Don’t forget the Pfand
‘Pfand’ is a deposit fee that vendors at beer gardens, festivals, and Christmas markets may charge you to make sure you return the glass in which the drink was served. The fee is typically 1-2 Euros.
You can keep using the same glass or mug for refills and then return it before leaving. That is unless you want to take it as a souvenir. Then you can simply walk away with a clear conscience. Perfect!
‘Pfand’ is also included in the price of beverages at grocery stores. Bring the bottles back to the same store after you’re done with their contents, deposit them into the bottle recycling machine, and get a small refund coupon towards your next purchase.
A word on German beer
If you are a beer fan, you’re bound to enjoy your time in Germany!
With roughly 100 liters (26 gallons) of beer consumed per capita yearly, Germany is one of the top beer-drinking nations in the world - just a couple of steps behind the champion Czech Republic. Beer is integral to German culture and is seen as a source of nutrients rather than merely as an alcoholic beverage.
Nearly 1600 breweries throughout the country produce delicious brew sticking to hundred-year-old recipes. In fact, Germany is home to the oldest brewery in the world - Weihenstephan - who is diligently brewing liquid gold since the year 1040!
While in Germany, be sure to visit some of the oldest breweries in the world and learn about the vital part of German culture and tradition.
Attitude towards alcohol
Not surprisingly, the nation that prides itself on brewing world-class beer is also laid-back in the matter of drinking. It is not only socially accepted but also legal in Germany to drink alcohol on the streets, in parks, and in other public places (including in universities… during lectures!)
The drinking age in Germany is 16 for non-distilled alcoholic beverages and 18 for spirits, and teenagers can drink in the presence of their parents or a custodian starting at age 14.
As we see it, however, nothing speaks about the easy-going attitude towards alcohol louder than the street vending machines packed with beer. Beer gods bless Germany!
Just say no!
Before we leave the beer subject, there’s one more important thing to mention. In some countries - we won’t point fingers here - it’s common for wheat beer to be served with a slice of lemon or orange.
While it might be OK in your country, you should forget about this beer sacrilege while in Germany. You will never get a slice of citrus in your wheat beer in this country, and you should certainly never ask for one.
Shopping
No surprises
Sales tax included in the price is one of the little pleasant trivialities we truly appreciate about Germany. No need to emotionally prepare yourself while heading to the register - as you would in the USA for instance. Makes for a better shopping experience!
If you have to buy groceries
Checking out in a German grocery store is not for the faint of heart. First off, you are to bag your groceries, nobody will do it for you. ‘Atrocity!’ we hear some exclaim across the ocean.
But wait, that’s not all! You are expected to bag your groceries with the equal or greater speed of the cashier’s scanning your items. If you can’t keep up (which is very likely), you may get judging glares from the people in line behind you and passive-aggressive sighs from the cashier.
A good strategy when purchasing a lot of items is to simply put all the groceries back into the cart and bag them after you’re finished paying and able to get out of everyone’s way. Extra work, we know. But certainly better for everyone’s nerves.
No retail therapy on Sundays
Are you used to getting all your shopping out of the way on Sunday? Too bad. Germany is one of those European countries in which grocery stores, pharmacies, and malls are closed on Sundays.
So get your shopping done over the week to then enjoy your ‘Ruhetag’ (rest day) by taking a stroll in the park, eating out in a restaurant, or visiting a museum - thankfully, those are open.
Cultural nuances
Forget the small talk
Germans do not engage in the meaningless act of small talk. Nobody will ask you ‘How are you?’ while scanning your groceries or strike up a conversation while waiting in line to get coffee.
That is not to say that Germans aren’t friendly or don’t like a nice chat. But a short encounter is not a good enough reason for a German to start a conversation with a stranger. Don’t take it personally.
Hitler jokes are NOT O.K.
Do not bring up the dark period in German history by mentioning Nazis, making Hitler jokes, or in any way alluding to WWII. These talks are taboo and considered deeply offensive, especially coming from a foreigner.
Under no circumstances do a Nazi salute. This will certainly not go well for you, even if you were ‘just joking.’ Nazi salute is a criminal offense punishable by up to three years of imprisonment. Justifiably.
Shoes off, please
When visiting a German home, remember to take off your shoes before entering. Similar to many cultures around the world, keeping your shoes on while in someone’s home is viewed as disrespectful more so than simply unhygienic.
Don’t look away
Germans reverence their superstitions as much as they do their rules. One of those superstitions concerns toasting while drinking.
When raising your glass to ‘prost’ with a drinking buddy, you have to maintain eye contact. Not looking into the person’s eyes is said to bring bad luck and seven years of bad sex.
We’re not sure if that means you’re at least guaranteed sex - even though bad - for seven years, so better not to risk it.
Get naked
This post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning nudity.
No, we are not joking. In Germany, nudity is a socially accepted and often celebrated phenomenon. Germans view stripping as a liberating act, embracing who they are physically and mentally, shedding not only clothes but also body image issues.
Freikörperkultur (FKK)- Free Body Culture - is a movement that encourages unity with nature, sun, water, and fresh air, and desexualization and emancipation of a physical body as means of transforming society and the mental health of its members.
Now that doesn’t mean that you will be running into naked Germans on every corner. But there are certainly places where clothes are ‘verboten’ and bodies are au naturel - typically in saunas and designated FKK areas along rivers and round some lakes and parks.
That was the list of useful things we think you should know before traveling to Germany. Have an awesome trip!
