Money, Safety & eSIM in Germany
Germany's currency is the euro (EUR, €). Despite being a wealthy, tech-forward country, Germany is surprisingly cash-reliant — carry some for small restaurants, bakeries, and markets. Germany is very safe overall for tourists; the main real annoyances are pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots and Deutsche Bahn's notoriously unreliable train punctuality, not crime. eSIM and local SIM options both work well, with strong coverage in cities.
The practical questions that actually matter once you land: why a country this modern still wants your cash sometimes, what the real safety risks are (spoiler: it's mostly about trains being late, not danger), and how to get connected without an ugly roaming bill.
Money — Germany's surprising cash culture
The euro (EUR, €) is the currency. Here's the genuinely surprising part: despite Germany's reputation for engineering and efficiency, it remains one of the more cash-reliant countries in Western Europe. Cards are accepted everywhere in hotels, chains, and most restaurants, but plenty of small bakeries, market stalls, and traditional Kneipen (local pubs) are cash-only or have a minimum card-purchase amount. Carry at least some cash at all times.
| Payment method | Where it works best |
|---|---|
| Cash (euros) | Bakeries, markets, small pubs, some taxis |
| Credit/debit card | Hotels, chain restaurants, larger shops, train tickets |
| Contactless/mobile pay | Increasingly common in cities, less reliable in small towns |
Is Germany safe?
Yes, genuinely very safe by international standards — violent crime against tourists is rare, and Germany is consistently rated among Europe's safer countries to visit. The realistic risks are pickpocketing in crowded spots (Alexanderplatz in Berlin, Oktoberfest, major train stations) and, if you're driving, the unrestricted-speed stretches of the Autobahn, which demand real attention if you're not used to them.
Deutsche Bahn — plan for delays
This is the one honest warning most guides skip: Deutsche Bahn's (DB) intercity punctuality has genuinely worsened in recent years, and delays of 10–30+ minutes on ICE routes are common enough that you shouldn't book a tight connection (especially international ones) without buffer time. Book flexible or refundable tickets where possible, and if you're connecting to a flight, build in at least an extra hour beyond the theoretical minimum.
For regional and local transport (not ICE/IC long-distance trains), the Deutschland-Ticket — a flat €63/month pass (2026 price) valid nationwide on regional trains, buses, trams, and subways — is excellent value if you're moving between nearby cities slowly rather than by high-speed rail.
eSIM and staying connected
eSIM works well if your phone supports it — Airalo and Holafly sell data-only plans from around $4.50–15 for 7–20GB over 7–15 days, activated before you even land. A physical local SIM (Telekom/T-Mobile, Vodafone, or O2, sold at any electronics store or supermarket kiosk) is just as easy to set up on arrival and similarly priced. Coverage is excellent in cities and along major routes; expect occasional dead zones in rural areas and inside long train tunnels — a well-known local annoyance, not just a you-problem.
The Pfand deposit system — bottles and cans
Most bottled and canned drinks in Germany include a small refundable deposit (Pfand), typically €0.08–0.25, built into the shelf price. Feed the empty container into a reverse-vending machine (Pfandautomat) at any supermarket entrance and it prints a voucher you redeem at the till — a genuinely easy way to claw back a few euros over a longer trip, and not knowing the system exists is a common source of first-timer confusion at checkout.
It's completely normal to see people, sometimes visibly homeless or low-income, collecting empty bottles from public trash cans to redeem the Pfand themselves — it's a real, accepted way some people supplement their income. Leaving an empty bottle beside a public bin rather than inside it is a small, genuinely appreciated courtesy.
Emergency numbers
112 is the EU-wide emergency number for police, fire, and ambulance — free to call from any phone, even one without a German SIM or credit, and operators generally speak English. 110 reaches the police specifically within Germany. Save both before you need them; there's no US-style single unified 911 equivalent quirk to worry about, 112 covers all three services.
Everyday basics
- Tap water is safe to drink everywhere in Germany — no need for bottled water.
- Tipping is modest and rounded, not percentage-based — rounding up a restaurant bill by 5-10% or to the nearest few euros is standard; tell the server the total including tip rather than leaving cash on the table.
- Sundays: most retail stores are closed by law, though restaurants, cafes, museums, and gas stations stay open — plan grocery shopping and errands around this.