Europe
Germany
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Still current at: 25 July 2008
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Updated: 02 July 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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There is a general threat from terrorism in Germany. Such attacks could be indiscriminate, including in public places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 4 September 2007, three individuals were arrested and charged with membership of a terrorist organisation. See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
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We are aware of British nationals who have been arrested for possessing counterfeit currency. We advise against changing currency anywhere other than banks or legitimate Bureaux de Change.
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2,372,320 British nationals visited Germany in 2007 (Source: Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland -
www.destatis.de
). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Germany in 2007 were for replacing lost and stolen passports (over 900 cases); dealing with deaths, mainly from natural causes (over 350 cases); and dealing with arrests or detentions (over 170 cases).
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You should carry your passport with you at all times. German police have the right to ask to see identification.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Germany. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a general threat from terrorism in Germany. Such attacks could be indiscriminate, including in public places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 4 September 2007, three individuals were arrested and charged with membership of a terrorist organisation. Although the German security authorities have averted serious terrorist attacks, they assess that the threat from terrorism remains high and urge individuals to maintain a high level of vigilance.
Two explosive devices were found on regional trains in the Dortmund and Koblenz areas on 31 July 2006. These were made safe and three men have now been arrested as part of a continuing investigation.
There is a general threat from terrorism in Germany. Such attacks could be indiscriminate, including in public places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 4 September 2007, three individuals were arrested and charged with membership of a terrorist organisation. Although the German security authorities have averted serious terrorist attacks, they assess that the threat from terrorism remains high and urge individuals to maintain a high level of vigilance.
Two explosive devices were found on regional trains in the Dortmund and Koblenz areas on 31 July 2006. These were made safe and three men have now been arrested as part of a continuing investigation.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
You should take normal, sensible precautions to avoid mugging, bag snatching and pickpocketing. You should be extra vigilant at airports railway stations and Christmas Markets. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Crime
You should take normal, sensible precautions to avoid mugging, bag snatching and pickpocketing. You should be extra vigilant at airports railway stations and Christmas Markets. Do not leave valuables unattended.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Germany Country Profile
Local Travel
Political Situation
Germany Country Profile
Local Travel
Industrial action may disrupt passenger rail travel throughout Germany. If you plan to use the German rail network you are advised to call the free service hotline for the latest information:
08000/996633 (00 49-1805/334444 from abroad)
or visit the following website
http://www.bahn.co.uk
From 1 January 2008, in an effort to significantly reduce harmful pollutant levels, there will be an environmental zone (umweltzone) in Berlin's inner city centre. Only vehicles that meet specific exhaust emission standards will be allowed to enter the zone. Any vehicles with especially high emissions will be barred.
Please see the following link for full details.
Road Travel
If you wish to drive in Germany you must carry a valid driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents with you in the vehicle at all times. If the vehicle does not belong to the driver, written permission from the registered owner may also be requested.
The minimum age for driving a car in Germany is 18 years old. 17 year-old British drivers with valid British licences are not permitted to drive a car. Anyone who contravenes this law may be fined and your vehicle will be impounded. Advice on driving outside the UK can be obtained from motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC.
You should take particular care when driving in Germany as driving regulations and customs are different from those in the UK. Roads in Germany, particularly motorways, are of an excellent standard but speed limits are higher than in the UK and the accident rate is greater. In 2005 there were 5,361 road deaths in Germany (source: DfT). This equates to 6.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005.
Many drivers undertake long journeys in, or through, Germany. Care should be taken to plan journeys and take sufficient breaks; a minimum break of 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended.
It is illegal to take part in motor vehicle races or rallies on German roads. Such activities constitute an offence under paragraph 29 of the German Highway Code. Offenders are liable to be detained, fined and to have their vehicles confiscated.
Pedestrians in Germany should be aware that it is illegal and dangerous to cross German pedestrian crossings when the red pedestrian light is on. Offenders render themselves liable to a fine and all costs in the event of an accident.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Air Travel
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in France. For more details about this see Airline Security
Local laws and customs
You should carry your valid passport with you at all times. German police have the right to ask to see identification. For British citizens, the only acceptable form of ID is a valid passport.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
You need a valid passport to enter Germany.
British Citizens and EU passport holders do not require a visa.
Passport validity
British nationals must enter Germany with a valid passport.
Stays of longer than three months
If you intend to stay in Germany for three months or more you must register with the German authorities (Einwohnermeldeamt) within seven days of arrival. Those staying in Germany for a short visit are not normally required to register. Hotels are legally obliged to register guests and this information is passed automatically to the Einwohnermeldeamt.
There is no longer a requirement for EU Citizens to apply for a residence permit.
Working in Germany
If you intend to work in Germany, you should obtain detailed information on employment regulations from the German Embassy, 23 Belgrave Square, London, SWIX 8PZ; (tel: 020 7824 1300) or visit the British Embassy website on www.britischebotschaft.de
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.
Health
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as German nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 49,000 adults aged 15 or over in Germany were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Germany and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 49,000 adults aged 15 or over in Germany were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Germany and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
The Friedrich-Loeffler-Insitute / Federal Research Institute for animal health has confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in wild birds throughout Germany. Following outbreaks in Bavaria, Saxony, Thuringia and Eastern France (close to the German border) in June 2007 the national crisis team for Avian Influenza raised the risk level for farmed poultry to high, which is the second highest risk level. The Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI) stated that Avian Influenza has become an epidemic in parts of Germany. The FLI will continue to closely monitor the situation and will advise on strengthening protection measures, when necessary. No human infections or deaths have been reported.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
You should read this advice in conjunction with the FCO’s {InternalLink:6}, which gives more detailed advice and information.
The Friedrich-Loeffler-Insitute / Federal Research Institute for animal health has confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in wild birds throughout Germany. Following outbreaks in Bavaria, Saxony, Thuringia and Eastern France (close to the German border) in June 2007 the national crisis team for Avian Influenza raised the risk level for farmed poultry to high, which is the second highest risk level. The Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI) stated that Avian Influenza has become an epidemic in parts of Germany. The FLI will continue to closely monitor the situation and will advise on strengthening protection measures, when necessary. No human infections or deaths have been reported.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
You should read this advice in conjunction with the FCO’s {InternalLink:6}, which gives more detailed advice and information.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the all activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Emergency Passports
The British Consulate-General, Düsseldorf is the only passport issuing post within Germany. However Emergency Passports (EPs) can be obtained from either the British Embassy Berlin, the British Consulates-General, Munich and Düsseldorf, or the Honorary-Cunsul office Hamburg (arranged by calling the British Embassy Berlin).
An Emergency Passport is a piece of paper valid for 1 journey to the UK. This paper is usually surrendered on arrival to the UK and you must then obtain a new passport from your nearest Passport Office in the UK.
A call centre now handles all passport enquiries. If you wish to speak to an operator please call Abtran on (04) 0190 700 661 (open Mon-Fri 09.00-17.30). Please note that calls will be charged at a premium rate – or e-mail consular.section@duesseldorf.mail.fco.gov.uk.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Emergency Passports
The British Consulate-General, Düsseldorf is the only passport issuing post within Germany. However Emergency Passports (EPs) can be obtained from either the British Embassy Berlin, the British Consulates-General, Munich and Düsseldorf, or the Honorary-Cunsul office Hamburg (arranged by calling the British Embassy Berlin).
An Emergency Passport is a piece of paper valid for 1 journey to the UK. This paper is usually surrendered on arrival to the UK and you must then obtain a new passport from your nearest Passport Office in the UK.
A call centre now handles all passport enquiries. If you wish to speak to an operator please call Abtran on (04) 0190 700 661 (open Mon-Fri 09.00-17.30). Please note that calls will be charged at a premium rate – or e-mail consular.section@duesseldorf.mail.fco.gov.uk.
Money
Since 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.
Travel advice for this country
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contacts
Germany, Berlin, British Embassy
Address:
British Embassy
Wilhelmstrasse 70
10117 Berlin
Telephone:
(49) (30) 20457-0
Fax:
(49) (30) 20457 574 Media
(49) (30) 20457 581 Defence
(49) (30) 20457 579 Consular
(49) (30) 20457 573 Political
(49) (30) 20457 582 Defence Supply
(49) (30) 20457 575 EU & Economics
(49) (30) 20457 576 Labour & Social Affairs
(49) (30) 20457 577 Commercial
(49) (30) 20457 578 Management
(49) (30) 20457 594 Public Relations
(49) (30) 20457 347 Agriculture
(49) (30) 20457 346 Research/Technology
(49) (30) 20457-571 Ambassador
(49) (30) 20457-572 DHM's Office
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Fri: 0800-1200 / 1300-1630
Local Time:
Mon-Fri: 0900-1300 / 1400-1730
Website: http://www.britischebotschaft.de/