Go with a plan.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Germany
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go with a plan.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Bogus police officers
Individuals may pose as police officers to target tourists. Real officers carry a photo ID card with a number and will never demand to check your cash.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Drug offenses
Buying and smuggling drugs are considered major offenses in Germany and carry dire consequences.
Bribery of police
Attempting to bribe a police officer is a serious offense and will likely result in arrest and detention.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Polio
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Polio, Rabies, Tick-borne Encephalitis
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and Cyprus, but not to EU member state Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schenge
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Germany. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in public places visited by foreign nationals such as: restaurants markets shopping centres places of worship and religious sites, including synagogues sporting and cultural events crowded places and public gatherings Examples of recent attacks include: in 2024, 3 people were killed and several injured following a knife attack in Solingen in 2021, 5 people were stabbed and injured on a train in Neumarkt, Bavaria in 2020, one person was killed and another seriously injured in a knife attack in Dresden in 2020, 8 people were killed and 5 injured in 2 mass shootings in shisha bars in Hanau in 2019, 2 people were shot and killed after a failed attempt to enter a synagogue in the eastern German city of Halle German authorities regularly report that they have disrupted planned attacks and made arrests.
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Germany is a very safe country.
- •If you're staying in certain parts of Berlin or Hamburg around 1 May (Labour Day) expect demonstrations that frequently degenerate into clashes between the police and a minority of the demonstrators.
- •Emergencies: The nationwide emergency number for the police, fire and rescue services is 112 (same as in all EU countries) or 110 for police only.
- •There are orange emergency telephones interspersed along the main motorways.
- •Racism: The overwhelming majority of foreign visitors will never deal with issues of open racial discrimination or racism in Germany.
Staying healthy
- •Sanitary and medical facilities in Germany are excellent. See the section on emergencies above if you are in an emergency.
- •Health care: If you have a non-urgent medical problem, you may choose from any local doctor.
- •Medication: Pharmacies are called "Apotheke" (compare the older English word, "apothecary") and are marked by a big, red "A" symbol.
- •There can be a significant price difference between the name brands and equivalent generic drugs with the same active ingredients, so it may well pay off to ask for a "Generikum".
- •The staff of an Apotheke is well-trained, and it is mandatory to have at least one person with a university degree in pharmaceutics available in every Apotheke during opening hours.
- •Health insurance: EU citizens who are members of any public health insurance can get a European Health Insurance Card.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 110 / ambulance: 112 / fire: 112
Tipping
In Germany tips (Trinkgeld, literally "drink(ing) money") are commonplace in restaurants (except fast-food ones), bars, taxis and hair salons. Whilst not mandatory, it is always appreciated as a thanks for excellent service. Tips rarely exceed 10% of the bill (including tax); often the customer rounds the bill up to avoid having to deal with small change (e.g. a bill of €13.80 will commonly be rou
SIM / Data
Mobile telephones are often known as a "Handy" in German. Mobile numbers in Germany must always be dialled with all digits (10-12 digits, including a "0" prefixing the "1nn" within Germany), no matter where they are being called from. The 1nn is a mobile prefix, not an "area code", as such and the second and third digits (the nn part) denotes the original mobile network assigned before number port
Cash vs. Card
Notes larger than €100, while legal tender, aren't seen in circulation all that often and will be refused at some stores or for small purchases. Be prepared for larger notes to face more scrutiny with regards to potential counterfeits. Small shops and even a few automated machines for public transport do not accept €50 or larger banknotes.
Zoom in
15 Germany cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09