Europe
Germany
Safe, well connected and easy to travel alone, with cheap regional travel on the Deutschlandticket, big-city culture and lakes and mountains. Bureaucracy, Sunday closures, train delays and cash-only spots are the trade-offs.
- US travel advisoryLevel 2Exercise increased cautionDetails
- Visa93 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyEURUS$1 ≈ €0.89Details
- Price level80%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English4/5Widely spokenDetails
- PlugsType C, F230 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency112Police 110 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is excellent everywhere, but restaurants rarely serve it free; ask for 'Leitungswasser'.Details
- LGBTQ+Marriage equalityVery open in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich, with big Pride (CSD) events each summer; rural and some eastern areas are more conservative.Details
- Internet104 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 76 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the rightNon-EU licences need an IDP or German translation (a few exceptions); valid six months after taking residence.
- Digital nomad visaYesFreelance residence permit (Freiberufler)Details
Where to go in Germany
16 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BerlinCapital city | 4/5 | $2,930–3,940 | May–Sep | 14/100 |
| MunichCity | 5/5 | $3,380–4,500 | May–Sep | 13/100 |
| HamburgCity | 4/5 | $3,150–4,160 | May–Sep | 11/100 |
| FrankfurtCity | 4/5 | $3,150–4,280 | May–Sep | 12/100 |
| CologneCity | 4/5 | $2,700–3,600 | May–Sep | 21/100 |
| DresdenCity | 4/5 | $2,250–3,040 | May–Sep | 29/100 |
| HeidelbergCity | 5/5 | $2,700–3,600 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 28/100 |
| DüsseldorfCity | 4/5 | $2,810–3,830 | May–Sep | 16/100 |
| LeipzigCity | 4/5 | $2,250–3,040 | May–Sep | 31/100 |
| StuttgartCity | 5/5 | $2,930–3,940 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 20/100 |
| NurembergCity | 5/5 | $2,480–3,380 | May–Sep | 30/100 |
| Black ForestRegion | — | $2,250–3,260 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | — |
| FreiburgCity | 5/5 | $2,700–3,600 | May–Oct | 28/100 |
| Rothenburg ob der TauberTown | 5/5 | $2,700–3,600 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 28/100 |
| Garmisch-PartenkirchenMountain town | 5/5 | $2,930–3,940 | Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb | 20/100 |
| BremenCity | 5/5 | $2,480–3,380 | May–Sep | 33/100 |
When to visit Germany
May–September for long days, beer gardens and lakes; late November–December for Christmas markets. Winters are grey; Alpine ski season runs December–March.
Good to know
Entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across the whole area; days spent in other Schengen countries count.
- The EU Entry/Exit System is live: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry, so expect longer queues.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
- Moving into a flat for more than three months? Register the address (Anmeldung) within two weeks.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Riding public transport without a valid ticket costs a €60 fine; inspectors are often plain-clothes.
- Nazi salutes and symbols are crimes, even as a joke.
- Crossing on a red pedestrian light can be fined and is frowned upon.
Etiquette
- Say 'Hallo' or 'Guten Tag' when entering small shops
- Most shops close on Sundays; keep noise down then
- Return Pfand bottles at supermarket machines for the deposit
- Punctuality matters, socially and at work
Tipping
Round up or add 5–10% for table service; tell the server the total when paying rather than leaving coins on the table.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Federal Foreign Office: visas
- Make it in Germany: self-employment
- Deutsche Bahn: Deutschland-Ticket
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System
- Speedtest Global Index: Germany
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.