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Germany Practical Travel Info

Visa rules by nationality, money, safety, and getting connected.

Germany is part of the Schengen Area, so the rule depends on your passport: most Western nationalities (US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ) currently enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, counted across all Schengen countries combined, not per country. From late 2026, visa-exempt travelers will also need to register online through ETIAS before flying. Currency is the euro; Germany is safe overall, though pickpocketing happens in crowded tourist spots.

The unglamorous section that quietly saves your trip: whether you need a visa (it depends on your passport, and there's a new online step arriving in late 2026 that catches a lot of travelers off guard), how to handle euros and Deutsche Bahn's famously unpredictable punctuality, what could genuinely go wrong, and how to stay connected without a surprise roaming bill.

Germany Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
Practical Info

Germany Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)

The real answer, broken down by passport — plus the new ETIAS step.

Money, Safety & eSIM in Germany
Practical Info

Money, Safety & eSIM in Germany

Cash culture, real safety risks, and staying connected.

Questions people actually ask

Do I need a visa for Germany?
It depends on your nationality — see our full visa & entry page. Most Western passport holders currently get 90 days visa-free within any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area. Starting late 2026, the same visa-exempt travelers will also need to apply online for ETIAS before flying.
Is Germany safe to visit?
Yes, very much so — Germany is consistently rated among the safer countries in Europe for visitors, with violent crime against tourists rare. The main real-world risks are pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots and train stations, and (if you're driving) unrestricted-speed sections of the Autobahn.
What currency does Germany use?
The euro (EUR, €). Cards are widely accepted in cities and chains, but Germany remains more cash-reliant than many visitors expect — plenty of small restaurants, bakeries, and market stalls are cash-only, so carry some.