If you are staying in Germany for an extended period, receiving a regular salary or fellowship or paying rent, it is a good idea to open a current account at a German bank as early as possible upon arrival. You can open a current account at a bank or "Sparkasse" (savings bank). To do so, you will generally need to present your passport or identity card and confirmation from the "Einwohnermeldeamt" (Residents’ Registration Office) that you have registered as a resident. Some banks will also require you to present your visa or residence permit  and/or your German tax-id number. Often you will also require an appointment in advance in order to open an account.

There are hardly any differences between the banks in respect of the services they offer, but there are differences in the charges you have to pay, so you should be sure to check the account conditions in advance. Generally, it is possible withdraw cash from a cashpoint (ATM) from your bank or a cooperative bank for free, though some accounts and banks have additional conditions or fees for withdrawing cash. Withdrawing cash from other banks often can incur charges. Most banks are open from Monday to Friday between 8.30 am and 4 pm. 

Transferring money abroad can be expensive. You should enquire about the conditions at your own bank at home in advance- some German banks have cooperations with banks abroad that might help to limit fees incurred through international transfers.

Apart from cash, many shops, restaurants and firms also accept debit and credit cards. It is important to note, however, that some shops are only able to accept certain types of card and card-payments are not possible in all shops, so it is generally a good idea to check to make sure your card will work. Smaller sums, for example in cafés, are usually paid in cash. 

In addition to social security policies, optional private supplementary insurance schemes can also make life easier and ensure you do not run into any unexpected costs while staying in Germany.

Private insurance schemes may be considered as an alternative or addition to social security schemes, if

• there is no relevant statutory insurance scheme or
• you wish to obtain insurance cover over and above the level of social security benefits.

Depending on your individual circumstances, it is worth considering carefully whether such schemes are necessary and should be purchased. 

Some insurance policies that you may want to consider:

• Third-party liability insurance
• Accident insurance
• Legal advice insurance
• Household contents insurance
• Supplementary dental insurance

More detailed information can be found on our Social Security and Optional Insurances page.

The German Association of the Insured (Bund der Versicherten) provides infromation about these and further insurance policies and what to consider when making a decision (in German).

All electrical connections in Germany cater for 220-240-Volt/50-Hz a/c mains and European standard plugs. You may require adapters and transformers for electrical equipment you bring with you.

Visit the website of the German National Tourist Board to learn more about the delicious variety of German foods and find out which food and drinks Germans especially enjoy. Larger cities in particular have a variety of restaurants offering cuisine from across the world, so you will not be restricted to Schnitzel and Bratwurst during your stay.

Germany is a country with many religious and historical holidays. Some are national holidays while others are only observed in certain German states. Businesses, universities and government offices are usually closed on holidays and public transportation usually operates on the Sunday schedule.

Further information on German holidays can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

Germany has a number of public broadcasters who offer television, radio and web services. All private households are required to pay a broadcast licence fee of €18.36 a month in order to finance these services. 

Der Rundfunkbeitrag - Information in Other Languages

If you have a mobile number from a country within the EU or a country associated to EU telephone roaming regulations, you will likely be able to continue to use your mobile number at no additional cost in another participating country. It is important to note that the duration of the ability to use your number abroad at no additional cost may be limited.

For further information on this possibility and the conditions of free roaming in Europe, see the Your Europe page on Roaming. 

When searching for numbers on the landline, you can use Gelbe Seiten (for businesses) or Das Örtliche (for private households). 

Germany has a good public transportation system. You can easily get almost everywhere you want to go by train or bus, tram or underground. Lots of towns also have a thorough network of bicycle lanes – if you enjoy cycling, it can be a useful alternative to public transport.

Trains

"Deutsche Bahn" (German Rail) connects all the larger and many of the smaller towns locally, regionally and long-distance. "Deutsche Bahn" has a lot of special offers and deals. With the "BahnCard 50" and the "BahnCard 25" you can save 50% or 25% on the standard price of any ticket for a whole year. Furthermore, there are special discounts for groups and advance bookings. 

Buy your ticket before you get on the train. You can purchase tickets online, in the Deutsche Bahn app, at ticket machines or at ticket offices at the station. It is no longer possible to buy tickets on trains. Make sure you always have a valid ticket. There are ticket inspections on trains and buses, and travelling without a valid ticket (“Schwarzfahren” – fare dodging) might prove expensive. If you are embarking on a longer journey, particularly at the weekend, it might make sense to reserve a seat as some trains and routes can become very full.

Furthermore, private rail company connections for long-distance trains may also be available. These generally require booking on separate websites or with different agents. These trains are generally also listed in timetables.  

Local Transport System

There is plenty of local transport – buses, trams and underground – in Germany. Particularly in larger towns, during the day it is often quicker and easier to travel by bus or tram than by car. You can buy tickets at ticket machines on the platform or inside the trams and underground trains; in buses the drivers often sell tickets, too. However, what is true for one town is not necessarily true for another, so you should enquire locally. "Mehrfahrtenkarten" (multi-trip tickets) are cheaper than individual tickets and can usually be purchased at ticket machines. If you are staying in one place for a longer period and intend using public transport regularly, it may well be worth buying a weekly or monthly season ticket. They are available at the local transport company’s ticket offices which are usually situated near the railway station.

Deutschlandticket

In May 2023, the German Government introduced the Deutschlandticket f. The ticket allows unlimited travel with almost all regional transport (buses, trams, undergrounds in addition to most regional rail connections) across the country. 

Especially in urban areas, it is an inexpensive alternative to navigating Germany's sometimes complex tariff system for both your commute and leisure time. Many transport companies sell the Deutschlandticket in their sales channels.

For more information on the Deutschlandticket, see this page from Deutschland.de.

Taxis

Taxis in Germany are relatively expensive and many people only use them in special situations – at night, for example, or when they have a lot of luggage. Prices are regulated. You are charged a basic price plus a charge per kilometre. All taxis have a metre which runs during the entire journey and registers the price at the end. It is usual to give the taxi driver a tip by rounding up the amount.

Mitfahrzentrale

One alternative to public transport, especially for long journeys, is the "Mitfahrzentrale" (car sharing agency). Drivers who are going on long journeys often register their journeys at car sharing agencies and offer to take passengers. These offers are sorted according to destination and date, and you can find out about them online or by telephone. You pay a fixed sum based on distance to the driver directly. Please note that using car sharing agencies is at your own risk. The agencies themselves cannot usually guarantee the quality or reliability of the arrangement or accept liability.

Air Travel

Some airlines offer special rates on certain routes. You may be able to fly to other European countries at very reasonable fares and even within Germany air travel may be cheaper than rail travel. However, on domestic routes, you may not save time if you add the time spent getting to the airport and waiting for the flight. Most large towns have good connections to the nearest airports by public transport.

In many parts of Germany, using a bicycle to take care of your daily routines and to commute is a viable alternative to using a car or public transport. To stay safe and protect others, you can look up the the do's and dont's on German roads in brochures from German Road Safety. The brochures are available in twelve different languages. 

The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure provides a comprehensive overview as well as multilingual fact sheets concerning driving licence categories, validity of foreign driving licences as well as an information on fines and penalties in Germany.

The website of the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Germany offers tailored information for those holding US driving licenses in Germany.

In-depth information (in German) can be obtained from the General German Automobile Club (ADAC).