Europe

Money, cards and tipping in Germany

Capital: BerlinGermanUpdated October 2026

EUREuro

Money in Germany

Mixed: cards and cash Cards now work in most shops and city restaurants, but bakeries, bars, kiosks and small eateries are often cash-only. Carry some euros. US$1 ≈ €0.89 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Round up or add 5–10% for table service; tell the server the total when paying rather than leaving coins on the table.
ATMs: Bank ATMs may charge foreign cards a few euros, shown on screen; avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever cards are accepted; PayPal is common online.
Price level: about 80% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Berlin	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards now work in most places, but many bars, clubs, bakeries and kiosks stay cash-only. Carry €30–50.
Munich	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work widely, but beer gardens, bakeries and some Oktoberfest tents are cash-only or cash-preferred. Carry €30–50.
Hamburg	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards are common, but many bars, bakeries, fish stands and Fischmarkt vendors are cash-only. Carry €30–50.
Frankfurt	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards common in shops and hotels; apple wine taverns, bakeries and small kiosks often cash-only. Carry €30–50.
Cologne	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards are common, but many brewery taverns, bakeries and kiosks are cash-only. Carry €30–50.
Dresden	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards are common in shops and hotels, but many cafés, bars, bakeries and market stalls are cash-only.
Heidelberg	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in shops and hotels, but many Altstadt bars, bakeries and cafés are cash-only.
Düsseldorf	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards are common in shops and many Altstadt bars, but bakeries, Altbier pubs and kiosks are often cash-only.
Leipzig	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in shops and larger venues, but many bars, cafés and kiosks are cash-only.
Stuttgart	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards are common, but wine taverns, bakeries and market stalls are often cash-only.
Nuremberg	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in shops and hotels, but bakeries, Bratwurst stands, beer cellars and market stalls are often cash-only.
Black Forest	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in most Freiburg shops and restaurants; huts, bakeries, village inns and mountain cafés are often cash-only. Carry euros.
Freiburg	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards are common in shops and hotels, but markets, bakeries and many wine bars are cash-only.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels and many restaurants, but bakeries, small shops and souvenir stalls are often cash-only.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, shops and many restaurants; mountain huts, bakeries and small cafés often take cash only.
Bremen	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in shops and larger venues, but bakeries, kiosks, markets and many pubs are cash-only.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Germany?

Round up or add 5–10% for table service; tell the server the total when paying rather than leaving coins on the table.

Is Germany cashless?

Mixed: cards and cash. Cards now work in most shops and city restaurants, but bakeries, bars, kiosks and small eateries are often cash-only. Carry some euros.

What currency does Germany use?

The Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.