Basic Area Facts:

Entry Requirements: As a rule, only a valid passport is required to enter Germany.
Children may either be included on their parents' passport or travel with their own passport. No passport photo is required for children under 10 years of age.
In most cases no Visa is required for those who intend to stay in the country less than 3 months and do not plan to work.

Climate: Germany's climate is generally temperate. Winters can be dull though never particularly cold, except in the Alps, the Harz region of Lower Saxony, and the higher regions of northern Franconia. Summers are usually sunny and warm, though be prepared for a few cloudy and wet days. The south is normally always a few degrees warmer than the north. As you get nearer the Alps, however, the summers get shorter accordingly, often not beginning until the end of May. Fall is sometimes spectacular in the south: warm and soothing. The only real exception is the strikingly variable weather in southern Bavaria (Bayern) caused by Föhn, an Alpine wind that gives rise to clear but oppressive conditions in summer and, in winter, can cause snow to disappear overnight.

Time Zone: Germany is on Central European Time (CET)

Money Matters: In general, banks are open from 8:30am or 9:00am until 4:00pm. On Wednesdays, smaller branches are often closed, and larger banks may close at 1:00pm. Banks frequently stay open until 6:30pm on Thursdays.

If visitors need to exchange money outside these hours, Currency Exchange offices can be found at airports, border crossing points and major railway stations. Hours are generally from 6am to 10pm.

Shop Hours: German department stores are open Monday-Saturday from 10:00am to 8:00pm and are closed on Sunday. German supermarkets and shops are open Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 8:00pm, on Saturday from 8:00am to 8:00pm (smaller supermarkets close between 6:00pm and 8:00pm), and are closed on Sunday. Shops in smaller towns might shut down for a 1-hour lunch break (usually between noon and 1:00pm). In general, German shops are closed on Sundays; exceptions are bakeries, shops at gas stations (open 24/7), or convenient stores in train stations. In bigger cities, look out for little shops called "Spätkauf"; opening hours vary, but they are usually open until 10:00pm or 11:00pm during the week, and on Sunday afternoons.

Tipping: In restaurants, service is usually included (under the heading Bedienung, at the bottom of the check), and it is customary to round out the check to the next mark or two, but never more than 5% of the total. In cafés and beer halls, where it may not always be clear if service is included, give 10%.

Taxi Drivers also get 10%. For railway and airport porters, round out the requested amount to the next mark. Hotel porters get .50€ per bag. Doormen are tipped the same amount for small services, such as calling a cab. Room service should be rewarded with at least 1€ every time you use it. Maids should get about .50€ per day (though service charges are normally included in our rental price). Service station attendants get 50 pfennings or .50€ for filling the tanks, checking the oil and tires, or cleaning windshields.

Electrical Current: The standard voltage throughout the country is 220 volt, 50 cycles. Americans will need a plug adapter, or converter, to use their appliances in Germany.

Emergency: If a visitor has a general emergency, they should go to the nearest telephone and dial 112 to request assistance. In order to get the police, dial 110 to request assistance.

Tax Free Shopping: The price of goods purchased in Germany includes 19% value-added tax (VAT). In order to receive a refund of some or all of this tax when you leave the country you can request a Tax Free Shopping Check in stores which display a "Tax Free" sticker. When leaving the country, before checking your baggage, have your check stamped by the German Customs Service. You may then be able to obtain a cash refund at one of the Tax Free Shopping Service offices which are located in the major airports and many train stations and in some ferry terminals.