Go with a plan.
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Hanover at 55/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than Germany's national picture overall (66/100 vs 67/100).
City page · part of Germany
The one number a country page can't give you
What people who actually live in Hanover report
Numbeo aggregates thousands of resident-submitted perception surveys into a per-city Crime Index (higher = worse) and its inverse, a Safety Index — the only real city-granularity crime signal feeding this page, alongside Germany's national advisory, political, health, and police-trust data.
Crime Index
45.3
Safety Index
54.7
Sub-scores
Same real inputs as Germany's national page, with crime swapped for Hanover's own Numbeo number above.
Local know-how
Staying safe in Hanover, specifically
- • Hanover is normally very safe. Before and after a soccer match there might be quite a few drunken people around, especially in the central station, but there always are police patrolling.
- • In Kröpcke you may get asked for money by the homeless. Pickpockets may act in crowded areas such as inside the trams during a big exhibition.
- • Important telephone numbers: Police: 110 Emergency (fire, acute illness): 112 Pharmacy for emergency: 01189
Legal status (national law)
Legal in East Germany since 1968Legal in West Germany since 1969; equal age of consent since 1988 in East Germany and since 1994 in unified Germany+ UN decl. sign.
Source: Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country →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.
How this compares to Germany
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Hanover at 55/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than Germany's national picture overall (66/100 vs 67/100).
See the full Germany page and all receipts →