Electricity: The electrical current in Germany is 220 V/50 Hz. Round European-style two-pin plugs are used.
Currency: The monetary unit is the Euro (EUR). Bank notes are printed in values of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500; and coins in values of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, and €1 and €2.
Major credit and debit cards (some restrictions apply to American Express and Diners) are accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels, but in some they are not, be sure to check before ordering. Cash is withdrawn with your Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or Cirrus card at any ATM.
If your country of residence is outside of Germany, you may qualify for a sales-tax refund for purchases. You need to request a form for your refund at the shop when making you purchase.
Travel Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Germany. Ensure coverage by your own health insurance and bring necessary documents on the trip. If you’re a European citizen from within EU/EEA, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in Germany.
Tipping: At restaurants a 5-10% tip should be added for good service. Money should not be left on the table, but handed to the server. In taxis it is common to round up the fare to the nearest Euro.
Communications: The international access code for Germany is +49. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. The main emergency number for fire and medical emergencies is 112, and for Police it is 110.