Germany

GENERAL INFORMATION
Language: German
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz
International Direct Dialing Code: 49
Driving: Driving is on the right. National or EU licence required. Minimum driving age is 18 (17 for holders of a full UK licence)
Currency: Euro (EUR 1 = 100 Cents)
Business/Social Hints: English is widely spoken. Smoking is generally accepted but restricted in many public places. Request permission before smoking in offices, cars and restaurants. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 16 years
Public Holidays: 2008
Jan 1 New Years Day, Jan 6 Epiphany, Mar 21 Good Friday, Mar 24 Easter Monday, May 1 Labour Day, May 1 Ascension, May 12 Whit Monday, May 22 Corpus Christi, Aug 15 Assumption, Oct 3 Day of Germany Unity, Oct 31 Day of Reformation, Nov 1 All Saints Day, Nov 19 Repentance Day, Dec 25 Christmas Day, Dec 26 Christmas Holiday
* various State based holidays are also observed
Emergency Services: Police: 110. Fire & Ambulance: 112
Clothing: Light or mediumweights for the summer and medium or heavyweights for winter, with rainwear all year round

HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION
Compulsory Vaccinations: None.
Recommended Immunisations: Tick-borne encephalitis*
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.
Reciprocal Health: Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on short-term stays to other member countries to use the public health care sector for free or reduced-cost medical treatment and emergency care.

PASSPORT & VISA INFORMATION
Passport General: Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Holders of National Identity Cards issued to nationals of EU countries, Liechtenstein & Monaco
2) Holders of passports expired a maximum of 5 years issued to nationals of Belgium, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco & Switzerland
Passport Validity: 1) Where a visa is not required passports must be valid for at least the intended length of stay
2) Where a visa is required passports must be valid for at least 3 months from the expiry of the visa
3) Normal passports & National Identity Cards issued by the former German Democratic Republic have now expired
Visa General: The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Germany
2) For stays up to 3 months by citizens of:
a) United Kingdom, provided holding a British "European Community" passport issued in or after August 1988, British "Isle of Man", "Jersey" and "Guernsey/Dependencies" passports or British Subject passport, with the additional entry: British Dependent Territories citizen passport, with the additional entry: Holder is defined as a UK National for community purposes
b) Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (S.A.R. passports only), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (S.A.R. passports only), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela

The following DO require a visa:
a) Bolivia
Visa Special Notes: 1) All visitors must hold onward/return tickets, documents required for next destination & sufficient funds for length of stay, except nationals of:
a) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden & United Kingdom
b) Nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland & United States who are exempted from requirement to hold onward/return tickets
2) Member of Schengen Visa Agreement, however we strongly recommend that travellers make enquiries prior to travel with the appropriate Embassies of the countries within the agreement which they plan to visit

CURRENCY, CUSTOMS & EXCISE INFORMATION

Import Allowances: For persons of 17 years of age or older:

1) Travellers entering from non-EU countries (including Canary Islands, Channel Islands & Gibraltar):
a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250gr of tobacco
b) 1 lit of spirits of more than 220 proof or 2 lit of up to 220 proof
c) 2 lit of still wines
d) 50gr of perfume & 0.25 lit of eau de toilette
e) Other goods to the value of EUR 175

2) Travellers entering from EU countries (goods obtained duty & tax paid - guidance levels):
a) 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars & 1 kg of tobacco, except if entering from the following EU countries:
Czech Rep; 200 cigarettes (until end 2007) or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250gr of tobacco (until end 2006)
Estonia; 200 cigarettes or 250gr of tobacco, no limit on other tobacco products (until end 2009)
Hungary (until end 2008), Latvia (until end 2009), Lithuania (until end 2009), Poland (until end 2008), Slovakia (until end 2008) or Slovenia (until end 2007); 200 cigarettes, no limit on other tobacco products
b) 10 lit of spirits, 20 lit of fortified wine, 90 lit of wine (of which, a max of 60 lit of sparkling wine) & 110 lit of beer

• German Tourist Board