Business Customs  

Appointments are made for most business meetings. The usual times for business appointments are between 9:00am - 12:00pm or between 2:00pm - 5:00pm. You should avoid scheduling on Friday afternoons as some offices might already be closed during that time.  

Punctuality is an important part of German business culture. The norm is to arrive about five minutes early to an appointment. If you show up more than five minutes after the appointed time, you will be perceived as late, and more than fifteen minutes is considered impolite. However, if there is a delay, you can always call ahead and explain the situation.  

Germans generally act and communicate in a direct and structured way; they want things to be done as efficiently as possible. It is not about being rude, but this behavior can include honest and constructive criticism. It also means to them that they value your time as much as theirs.  

Addressing people: We advise clients to respect formal introductions and the use of official titles, for example: Dr., Prof., Ing.. Your professionalism will be highly valued. In general, acting in a formal way is important, particularly at first, but following the examples of others is a good rule. After several meetings, your German counterparts might prefer a more informal interaction, but this varies depending on the people and the company so, it is polite to remain formal in tone until they invite you to do otherwise.  

Business attire is generally formal and conservative. This means suits (not necessarily with a tie) for men and suits or conservative dresses for women.  

First approach: A greeting usually consists of a smile and a firm handshake. Do not greet with a hug nor a kiss on the cheek, as in other European cultures. Allowing for adequate personal space is important throughout the meeting. The question “Wie geht es Ihnen?” [“How are you?”] is used as a literal question and a literal answer is appropriate. The common English usage of it simply as a formality or greeting feels strange to most Germans. Not replying in the expected way or moving on without waiting for an answer could therefore be considered superficial and impolite.  

Giving compliments is not common and can cause embarrassment. The same can be said about giving gifts, which may even be viewed as inappropriate. Only after negotiations or agreements, a small gift may be acceptable. The gift should not be overly expensive, but of good quality.  

Travel Advisory  

The State Department has advised exercising increased caution in Germany due to terrorism, both local and foreign. In the past years, the risk of terror incidents in European countries has increased. Germany’s open borders with its European neighbors allow for the possibility of terrorist groups entering and exiting the country with anonymity.  

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.  

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling +1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at +1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available 8:00am - 8:00pm; Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  

The following websites have additional information:   

State Department consular information sheet for Germany  
Department of State: Travel to Germany  
CDC on Germany  

Visa Requirements  

According to the German Embassy in Washington, DC, a “U.S citizen does not require a visa for tourist or business stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period and given no economic activity is being pursued within the Schengen Group of countries, including Germany. The time of the visit should not exceed 90 days and the visitor must leave the country after this period. A passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the stay is required.”  

Further information on entry visa and passport requirements may be obtained from the German Embassy at 4645 Reservoir Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007, telephone +1-202-298-4000, or the German Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco and on the Internet.  

For inquiries outside the United States, see the list of German Embassies and Consulates on the Federal Foreign Office’s website: Bilateral Relations and German Missions.  

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), an electronic document that’s required for visa-exempt travelers to enter 30 European countries, is expected to begin operating in late-2026. For more information, please visit this link.  

Currency

In Germany and other countries within the Eurozone, the Euro [EUR/€] is the used currency.  

Exchange rate from EUR to USD (as of January 1st)

See the Euro foreign exchange reference rates for continuously updated exchange rates.  

• Because of high currency-exchange fees, travelers should consider converting their currency before traveling.
• Banks, credit unions, online financial institutions and currency converters provide convenient and often inexpensive currency exchange services.  
• When in Germany, the best means to convert currency is to use a foreign ATM or identify if your bank has ATMs or banking affiliates nearby.  

Some credit and debit card issuers including Discover, Capital One and Chase allow users to make purchases abroad with no fees. However, many other major issuers charge approximately 3% on foreign transactions. Check ahead of time and budget accordingly.  

Unlike in the United States, many restaurants and vendors in Germany do not accept credit card payment, so remember to always carry some cash. In addition, some credit cards, such as American Express, may not be accepted at certain shops.  

Purchases through online payment providers, such as PayPal, Apple Pay and in general contactless payments by phone, smart watch or credit card in Germany have experienced a boost due to Covid-19 and are now widespread.  

Telecommunications/Electronics

Mobile phones are based on GSM 800 and 1600 MHz standards. UMTS/IMT 2000 frequencies are 1900 to 2170 MHz.  

Cell or mobile phones [“Handy”, in German] are commonly used. Germany and most of Europe use GSM networks, which some U.S. carriers also use. Most U.S. carriers have international travel packages that include texting, calling and data for better rates rather than roaming without a plan.  

Internet is widely accessible in Germany, Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, some public spaces, restaurants, cafes, etc.  

Power sockets are Type F, also known as “Schuko”, and Type C. These sockets are used in most of Europe and parts of Africa, Asia, and South America. The standard voltage is 230V with a standard frequency of 50Hz, while most American appliances operate on 110 volts and 60 cycles-per-second. You will need a voltage adapter or transformer to use your appliances with American voltage/plugs in German electrical outlets.  

Transportation and Accommodation

Travel by plane, train, bus or car meets international standards, but prices exceed U.S. averages. The number of in-country flights has been picking up and the train stations around the country provide sufficient access to nearly all cities. Nevertheless, cars are a very popular means of transportation, and Germany’s famous highway system is extensive.  

Geographic distances are relatively short when compared to the United States, but as Germany is much more densely populated than its European neighbors, it may take a little longer to travel the same distance in Germany than it would take in France or Scandinavia.  

Within cities, public transportation as well as private cars, taxis, e-scooters, shared bikes and services like Uber are used (although not available in every city and at every hour). The public transit system, including trains, trams and buses, is generally very reliable and most locations have extensive connections and routes. The Deutsche Bahn website  or DB Navigator App are the easiest ways to navigate means of public transit as well as long distance trains. Google Maps, and other such search engine maps, often offer public transit options when searching for directions and show where the closest stops/stations are.  

To book accommodation, CHECK24, Trivago, Booking.com, HRS and Airbnb tend to offer reasonably priced options throughout Germany. Bear in mind that room rates sometimes exclude VAT (Mehrwertsteuer), only reflecting the 5-7% increase upon checkout. Many European hotels do not have AC, so, if this is a priority, check specifically for “Klimaanlage”. Hotel booking sites, including Booking.com, allow users to filter for business amenities including WiFi, desks and conference rooms. Finally, proximity to public transport cannot be understated. In German cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne with reliable public transportation systems but limited parking options, staying near an U-Bahn, S-Bahn or Hauptbahnhof is often more convenient than renting a car.  

Language   

German is the official language. In larger towns and cities, many people can communicate in English, particularly in business settings. Germany is considered to have the 10th highest English proficiency rate of non-English speaking countries worldwide according to the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) with 56% of the population being able to speak English. German is also an official language in the neighboring countries of Austria and Switzerland.  

Good medical care is widely available. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate payment in cash or by wire transfer for health services from tourists and persons with no permanent address in Germany. Most doctors, hospitals and pharmacies do not accept credit cards.  

The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses, such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Therefore, the State Department recommends supplemental insurance to cover any medical issues including evacuation.  

The State Department recommends being up to date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  

If traveling with prescription medication, check with German government regulations if the medication is legal in Germany, as it could cause issues in German customs. Information concerning entry with prescription medication can be found at this page.  

Local time, business hours, and holidays  

There are many national holidays, some of which fall on different days depending on the year. German school holidays vary by state and year.  

Business hours vary but generally begin around 8am - 9am and end around 4pm - 5pm. Most businesses are closed on Sundays including most supermarkets and pharmacies.  

Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings  

When bringing professional equipment such as product samples, electronic goods, cameras, and musical instruments into Germany, we strongly recommend that you first contact the German consulate or embassy in your area for customs information. You might also want to consider purchasing an ATA Carnet. The ATA Carnet, which allows for the temporary, duty-free entry of goods into over 50 countries, is issued by the United States Council for International Business by appointment of the U.S. Customs Service.  

More details on entry and exit restrictions of goods for individuals and businesses can be found on the website of the German customs office.  

In Case of Emergency  

For life-or-death emergencies, dial 112 for immediate medical assistance.  

In the case of an emergency involving a U.S. citizen in Germany, please call the embassy or consulate nearest you. Someone will respond to your call 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit our website here.