Germany has temporarily lifted all COVID-19 entry restrictions to the country, allowing travel for all purposes, including tourism and visits. However, each German federal state has its own rules regarding border, vaccination, COVID-19 testing, and quarantine requirements.
Germany is open to visitors from the EU, Schengen, and a few third-party countries, with different entry restrictions applying to different areas of concern. Tourists from EU countries in the Schengen area and many other countries can enter without any visa requirements.
Current entry restrictions for Germany are 10,000€ (euros or equivalent) for entry and 10,000€ (euros or equivalent) for exit. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area, but visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any country.
Germany is currently in a strict lockdown, with travel restrictions on entry and exit being lifted. Travel insurance is required before entering Germany, and as Germany is part of the Schengen area, travelers who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 can enter the country without quarantine.
In summary, Germany has reopened to some tourists, but with specific rules and restrictions in place to ensure safety and security. Travelers from the EU, Schengen, and third-party countries can enter Germany without visa requirements, but must take out travel insurance before entering.
📹 Germany: German Tourist Scams
Germany tourism information in regard to tourist scams in Berlin, Munich, and other parts of Germany. Scams & things travelers …
Is Germany open for international travel?
Starting 11 June 2022, COVID-19-related restrictions for entry into Germany have been lifted, allowing travel from South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Mauritius to Germany for all travel purposes, including tourism and visits. No proof of vaccination, recovery, or testing is required for entry into Germany. Visas for entry into Germany can be applied for with the German Missions in South Africa.
What are the entry requirements for Germany?
In Europe’s Schengen area, a passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry. If you plan to transit a Schengen country, you will need proof of funds and a return plane ticket. For assistance, contact the U. S. Embassy Berlin, U. S. Consulate General Frankfurt, or U. S. Consulate General Munich. For passports, consular reports of birth abroad, and citizenship, contact FrankfurtPassports@state. gov. For faxes, contact ACSMunich@state. gov. For other questions, contact GermanyACS@state. gov.
What are the requirements to go to Germany?
The Germany Visa Application Requirements include a passport, photo, accommodation, transportation, travel health insurance, itinerary, and bank statement. To apply for a Germany VISA, you must complete specific documents before making an appointment. If you plan to travel to multiple Schengen countries, you will apply to the German Embassy/Consulate in your country if Germany is the country you will stay longer.
If there is no significant difference in days between Schengen countries, you will apply for a Schengen visa at the Germany Embassy/Consulate if Germany is the first port of entry in the Schengen Area.
The list of required documents depends on the type of visa you are applying for. The application form requires detailed and accurate information about yourself and your travel purpose. Capital letters are recommended for better handwriting.
Can we travel to Germany now?
India’s majority of visitors, regardless of whether they have received the vaccination, are permitted to enter Germany. For further details regarding travel restrictions, please refer to the travel restrictions map and subscribe to email notifications as countries begin to reopen. It is recommended that travelers select their intended destinations in accordance with the aforementioned guidelines.
Are tourists welcome in Germany?
Germany’s tourism has seen a significant increase, with an increase of +26. 5 in overnight stays in March 2023, following a decline in 2020. The country’s culture, cuisine, and landscapes contribute to its popularity. Germany’s iconic culture, particularly its delicious beers, is celebrated worldwide. The country’s heritage, musical, and festive traditions are also celebrated. Christmas markets, cherished throughout the country, reflect the magical charm of the holiday season. Beer culture, a symbol of craftsmanship and tradition, is a vibrant part of German identity. Visitors can enjoy beer in beautiful beer gardens or consult local guides for the best beer.
Is a German tourist visa easy to get?
Indian citizens may secure a visa for Germany through ACKO within a timeframe of 20 to 25 business days. Nevertheless, the embassy may necessitate supplementary documentation, and ACKO will duly apprise the applicant of any postponements. To obtain a visa for Germany, the following steps must be completed:
- Click here.
Are Germans friendly to tourists?
Germany is a safe and tourist-friendly country, ranking among the safest in the world. To ensure safety, stay updated on local media, news reports, and the internet. Listen to local authorities and remain diligent. The German Office for the Protection of the Constitution provides information on the threat of terrorism in Germany. To learn more about the situation, translate the official website. It is essential to stay informed and listen to local authorities to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Can I go to Germany as a tourist?
A Schengen Tourism/Visitor visa is a visa issued by the Schengen states, allowing its holder to visit Germany and all 29 Schengen member countries. It is issued as a sticker on the traveler’s passport. The Schengen visa is for tourism purposes or visiting friends and family members, but it does not allow work or study. If you wish to enter Germany for other purposes, you must apply for a student visa, work visa (national visa), or other visa types.
Is it safe to travel to Germany right now in war with Russia?
Terrorist groups are planning attacks in Germany, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, and major sporting and cultural events. Schools, airports, and other public areas are also targeted. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings, follow local authorities’ instructions, monitor local media for breaking events, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter, review the Country Security Report for Germany, visit the CDC page for travel health information, prepare a contingency plan, and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Is Germany safe to travel right now?
Germany is advised to exercise caution due to the presence of terrorist threats, the occurrence of nationwide and local strikes that affect transport systems, and the increased demand for accommodation and transportation during major cultural events such as Oktoberfest. It is recommended that travelers consult with their respective travel providers for the most up-to-date information. It should be noted that driving permits are a prerequisite for individuals aged 18 and above.
Is Germany safe to visit right now?
Germany is advised to exercise caution due to the threat of terrorism, the prevalence of nationwide and local strikes, and the increased demand for accommodation and transportation during major cultural and sporting events like Oktoberfest. It is recommended that travelers consult with their respective travel providers for the most up-to-date information. Individuals aged 18 and above are required to possess a driving permit, and travel plans should be made accordingly.
📹 GERMANY TRAVEL TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS | 40+ Must-Knows Before Visiting Germany + What NOT to Do!
Planning to visit Germany for the first time? In this video, I’m sharing all my best Germany travel tips for new visitors, from important …
There is a more dangerous version of these petition scammers: when you sit in a cafe or anywhere at a table and they see your phone on the table they come over and very craftfully hold the signing notepad or board above the table and when you say “no” (or even yes and sign) your phone will go along with their signing pad.
I’m from germany and all I can say is that this article is just on point! There are not many tourist scams but some like thos handicap baggers (never give money to them) and you should keep an eye on your valuables when you are at a train station or a crowded christmas market! Good article, thumbs up! 🙂
I just came back from Stuttgart. While in the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof trying to validate my ticket for transport it wasn’t clear where I was suppose to do that. Lucky for me an opa noticed my confusion, and came right over to help me. With my very tiny German vocabulary I tried to explain what I was trying to do. He checked to see if I could speak french to help the communication barrier. Unfortunately I do not. But he was eager to help. The first validation box he took me to was broken so he showed me to another. I was then able to validate my ticket and be on my way. My entire trip there every person I encountered was truly amazing. If people think the Germans are cold or uncaring then they haven’t really met one.
Yeah, I also know these “disabled” beggars. Ignoring them is fine, as they are just pretending. Quite “common”, where I live, is the “way-too-small-crutch” scam: Somebody limps around with a small crutch, and with that a humpy back. (Also realise: In Europe, there’s universal health care. Anyone with that kind of condition could go to any hospital and get treatment for free)
Agree about Germans keeping all aspects of life in order! I worked in Germany on & off for a year. Loved it. I would sit & watch with amusement if someone left something out of place in the company cafeteria like a carton of milk & watch how long it took for a random person to come along and put things back in order without thinking about it. 🙂
The reselling of a ticket isn’t necessarily a scam. You just need to know if the ticket is valid or not. I actually offered people my day ticket for free at Munich airport, as I was done using it, and they all ran away like little pussys. Someone gave me their day ticket in Vienna at the bus station when they were leaving for free and I was so happy. At the same time everyone else thought it was a scam – ehm no it was somebody being nice. And besides he was Korean.
I usually give the “Toilettenfrauen” a 1 or 2 Euro-Tip with a smile and a Thank you. Sound like a lot, but if you’ve ever had to go to one of those really filthy Autobahn-Restrooms and had to pay 50 cents just to be able to go inside the filthy, yucky stall, then you GLADLY give those ladies a bigger tip and an honest Thank you, because you were able to go do your business FIRST in a very clean, often even very COZY, toiletstall. And let’s just face it: Who actually LIKES cleaning up toilets after someone used it? So, I think 1 to 2 Euros is more than a fair tip
The re-selling of train tickets is actually not necessarily a scam. If you check that the ticket is legit (i.e. not a copy, just compare with one of your used tickets from the day before), that the date matches, and that the ticket has not been stamped/crimped/invalidated yet, you are usually safe. I have done this a few times when visiting Berlin. But if you want to be on the safe side, of course, go with the “buy your own ticket” route 🙂
One begging scheme I encounter a lot at bigger train stations in Germany is foreign people approaching you with a print of a certain train connection. They explain to you that they’re supposed to meet their family at the destination or something and just need a bit more money to buy the ticket. But they’re obviously parts of organised groups
I love Germany so much and have been many times. I’ve never experienced an obvious scam and have always felt really safe even in the big cities. Coming from London I find it quite surprising after having gone to Rome,Paris Barcelona etc Germany as a whole has barely got any scams compared to those places.
In the metro in greece the ticket lasts for 1.5 hour so when we are done most of the times we will leave the ticket outside of the metro or we will give it to someone for free so dont be scared to take it.Coming from that mindset it was really helpful that you mentioned the situation in germany so once again thank you wolter 🙂
The card on the table scam i’ve seen in Ibiza,Spain and i asked a friend in a restaurant as i go to Ibiza alot and we know each other along time….my mate said he’s not mute at all.The clip board scam was funny as the man spoke completely wrong for a deaf person.How did i know? He just made a noise like he was really drunk and i spoke to deaf people before….plus most of the signatures written down had the same handwriting and i spoke to a mate nearby and they were talking when they walked up the road as they were in a small gang.
Some advice if you end up in a dangerous situation. When someone comes up to you and says ”nice watch/jewlery”, keep an eye on them, get to an area with more ppl and don’t EVER start to argue with them. They want to rob you and they are armed and they don’t hesitate to put your life in danger. And another advice for Taxi services at the airport, Either figure out a local Taxi company before and call yourself one or go where the queue is. The ones that will offer you to not stand in line are going to take more money from you. Also with legal Taxi drivers there are issues. If the destination will ”only” get them 20 euro they still need to take you. It is in their contract.
i have to point out that i sometimes give my day ticket (ticket valid for a whole day) away for free. where i live 2 single rides from A to B cost the same as 1 day ticket. so most of the time i simply buy a 1 day ticket do my few rides and when i arrive at the station again – and know i am done for today – i simply give it away.. but i won’t ask you for money if i do so… and thx for pointing out that germans are not cold. germans are reserved and probably will not hug you right away and act as if they know you their whole life already even tho you just met for the first time like in some other countries. most germans will most likely also not start a 20 minute small talk with a stranger but if you need help and ask someone most germans still will gladly try to help you out. don’t confuse being reserved with being cold. in germany it is actually considered polite to not be into other peoples faces right away and bother others. also sometimes even germans do small talk. a few days ago i waited for my tram/streetcar and a woman desperately tried to get on a tram that just arrived and i told her that it was only “Fahrschule” (driving school). she then told me that she does not speak german and i told her in english that the tram was just a new driver learning to drive and that he wont take us with him. she then told me that she just moved to the city and is still concentrated so much on even finding the right bus stop that i could tell her anything and she would believe me. i told her that i would never do such a thing and asked her where she needed to go and told her which 2 trams she could use.
1:00 well it is mostly not a Scam, but I have encountered some which were a Scam. The point is at public locations, like a festival, open-air venues, on the motorway (partially refund), or huge Biergardens, at public places – like areas which have huge pedestrian traffic one is asked for Toilettenbenutungsgebühr, at Tankstellen one usually has to ask for the key, but does not need to pay. In a Restaurant off the beaten path, it has to be always free, as it is paid via your consumption. At places were people who are not consuming anything but can easily access the restrooms (e.g. a separate entrance from outside) it mostly is a sign kindly asking for one to pay some cents at a counter – as they have to clean the toilets more often. I personally was told to ask in a Restaurant if I can use the toilet when I am not wanting to consume something in that Resto, I even offer some money. I have never been turned down, and maybe on our way back or next time we had decided to eat at this Resto. If all people would have followed that – all restrooms would still be free in Germany 😉
Small clarification regarding “buying tickets on the transport”: Your best bet is to use this rule of thumb – if you are in a long distance train, you can actually buy the ticket on the train, that is if you yourself tell the personel on the train that you still need one, right when boarding the train. If you sit down and they come to check on your ticket later and then you tell them your story, you might (this depends on the personel, but it’s perfectly legal to issue a fine in this case) get a fine (usually 60€ / double standard fare (whichever is higher)). On local traffics, like subways, busses, trams and the likes, in 9 out of 10 times it is neither allowed nor possible to buy or conduct a ticket inside the transport. There may be some esceptions to this rule, but since there is a different company that does public transports (so-called Verkehrsverbünde, or Public Transport Associations) just about every 100-200 kilometres, one should better be safe than sorry and buy a ticket in advance. Oh and if you ask nicely (“Sprecken Sie maybe english?”… this is like, so adorable!), just about every staff member can talk at least a bit of English, so just ask for help. 😉 One last sidenote: Reselling of tickets is another thing which is not outright illegal to do(as per civil/commercial state laws), but a) you’re setting yourself up to receive an already used up ticket (as you mentioned) and b) just about every company prohibits this in their terms and conditions. The ticket you mention, the 5-person-1-day one?
Went to an open air theatre even in Germany recently. Tickets had to be bought online. I printed them out, assuming there was a place for them to be checked. Nope. No-one checked any tickets, it was just assumed that if you went there, you have already paid. And given that they were sold out, and the number of people seems to have matched the number of seats (some were empty, but also a handful of people decided to stand or sit on the ground), was impressive.
Great and legit article! But I only pay the toilet lady after I leave the toilet and only if the toilet is clean. As he states it is a tip. They earn enough and the tip is extra. I live in a small touristy town. And in the summer and Christmas time a lot of Bulgarians come to our city on the weekend to beg on the streets. The police is trying to get rid of them but they’ll come back after an hour or two. You do have to shake your head when they all group up at the beginning and end of the day swapping babys, dogs and / or crutches
Since you have been on a train station: it is not a scam but can be annoying when one or two guys enter the metro, start their kind of mobile karaoke machine at high volume, start to sing a song and maybe play an instrument along and at the next station they go around and ask for money. Although it is forbidden to play loud music in the metro in Hamburg they do not do anything against such people. Fortunately there are just a few of them.
LENGTHY, HUGELY IMPORTANT ADDITION: The Ticket scam is only a problem in cities where you have to stamp your ticket to validate it yourself. In Hamburg where I live, the tickets come out of the machine with a date stamped on already, so they are only valid for that day, which also means if someone is trying to sell you a ticket, you can buy it with no concerns, so long as it applies to the correct range and has the right date stamped on. Would I recommend that you do it, specifically as a foreigner? Probably not, but it’s important that you don’t disregard theses people or tell them to the face that they’re trying to rip you off, because there’s huge regional differences with public transit around here. The BVG (Berlin’s public transit system) operates differently in almost every major way from the HVV (Hamburg’s PTS). Just pay attention to date, range and that it’s not a one way ticket, but rather a daily ticket and then at least in Hamburg you can safely buy scam-tickets, because buying them the legit way is seriously overpriced and can cost you a hefty percentage of your vacation budget, so plan for that in advance.
A scam when driving: a car is broke down on the side of the road, when stopping and offering aid, the driver claims to be out of fuel and asks for a few Euros to buy gasoline. Usually there is a family of sobbing mother and children in the car to add theatrics. Happened to me twice – first time I gave some cssh, the driver wanted more, offering jewellery. Often these folks are from south eastern European countries. Hard to shake off once I stopped and inquired what’s happened. Now I no longer stop to offer aid, bad for anyone truly in need.
The word “hallo” has only been a standard greeting since Thomas Edison decided its phonetic properties made it the best word to use to check telephone signal quality. It originated as a hunting cry to command the hounds to pursue the quarry, so some older Germans consider it very rude to use to greet someone anywhere other than over the telephone, although this has mostly died out now.
hey, german dude here. most stuff you mentioned isn’t really related to a scam (more to thiefes and gangs) and most stuff too seems not just existing in germany but also elsewhere. and we have tickets you stamp a single time and then you can use it for a specific time…so of you don’t need it anymore you give it to other people.. that’s a normal thing here and not rly a scam (just make sure it’s still valid! don’t use invalid ones)
One more advice: Be especially careful at ATMs. Recently I was approached by a “deaf” lady with a list while I was withdrawing money from the ATM, luckily my mind was very sharp on that day so I anticipated that the woman was trying to distract me while someone else would have taken my money out of the ATM and run away with it, so I did not fall for the trick. Be also careful at ATMs because sometimes the machines get manipulated by criminals (spy cameras over the keypad etc.)
After I landed at Munich Airport, I bought the wrong ticket without thinking. Bought a 3 day 3 zone ticket. But the airport is in zone 5 or something. Ticket inspectors boarded and I got caught. I offered to pay for the ticket but they said no, 60 Euro fine. Told me to go to the DB office at Munich Hbf, they lady told me she could fix it for a small 10 euro admin fee, she felt sorry for me. I was very lucky. All in all, it worked out cheaper than if I had bought a 5 zone ticket lol.
Nice to see location shots of Freiburg! I agree with you Mark that one is not likely to run into scams in Germany. I have been to Germany seven times and have never been scammed (as far as I know). Great country to visit! Any time I have bought train tickets, my name was on the ticket and the conductor asked for my passport to verify who I am. Even when buying in station, they ask me to write my name on back of train pass.
German here, i think you nailed it pretty much. The reselling of a ticket is sometimes legit, also sometimes people will offer it to you for free. I have also shared my parking ticket with strangers when i noticed them searching for cash while i was about to take off. Another common thing is that grannies and students often have tickets that allow them to bring (at least) 1 additional passenger with them on the subway, bus, etc. So if somebody offers you to ride with them on the subway it should be legit aswell.
2:00 Well, at least in Hamburg it can happen to you that someone offers to you a full day ticket for free just because he or she just wants to be nice and doesn’t need the ticket any longer although it is valid for the rest of the day. So don’t be afraid to take and use it unless you are asked to pay for it of course (and check if the ticket is really valid for this day). Same with parking tickets with a fixed validity period. Some people don’t just throw it away when they return to their car earlier but try to hand it over to the next one who is arriving at the parking area. It is just nice, no scam.
2:14 the “ticket sam” is not necessarily a scam. the “bayern ticket” for example has a printed line on it where you supposed to write down yor name. normaly you dont get fined if you forget it so a lot of people just leave it free so they can “resell”. if they ask to show it they will say ” oh i totaly forgot” the DB-Personal then will give you a pen you write your name down. done. so if someone will sell you their ticket WITHOUT a name on it and its still viable for the day you can go for it. we used to do that too when we were younger. its basicly win/win if it works. buy the ticket for 30€ (or whatever) and then resell für about 10-15.
I was desperate one day when in Munich for the toilet admittedly this was about ten years ago. But it was one of the worst public toilets that I have ever used. there were no attendants and as i opened the door and walked in but There was such a strong acid smell, it started to burn my nose it was awful. I had no choice though I really needed a wee and there was nowhere else to go. I held my nose and tried to hold my breath being as quick as I could be. I was so glad to get out of that toilet.
Wear your backpack on the front, not your back. I was in a tourist trap store near Check Point Charlie’s looking at some t-shirts. I noticed a girl walk behind me, but not past the other side. I also knew there were no shelves behind me. When I turned around quickly, her hands were up as she was trying to unzip the top pocket of my backpack. By the way, she got nothing and I chased her out of the store. LOL
Hers a tip. We did a free walking tour in Hamburg at StPauli and Fischmarkt. Not the best part of town . Near red light district for those who dont know and walking back to Fischmarkt, 3 of us, me, my son, 23 years, and wife were nearly mugged by 3 west africans in broad daylight. The tip is that it was a deserted street and only they were there. My son and I eyeballed them the whole time we were there, they were split up at 2 ends of the street. Luckily nothing happened but i know it was close. Im pretty sure that they dodnt go for it because we were so onto them. So plenty of those type of people in germany so be careful and checkout on google where the dodgy areas are in advance and dont go there.
Also, if someone on the streat offers you a rose, DO NOT TAKE IT. It might seem like they just want to gift it to you, but the moment you have the rose in your hand, they will say that you bought it from them, and will demand a big amount of money from you. Just, decline the offer, and you are fine, even though they might be quite pushy.
Hey Walter I’m from germany and for the tickets we actually do that and it’s not a scam for the people. It is more that the train companies don’t like it cuz they kind of “loose money”. But u don’t need to worry that much just look at the date of the ticket and if you’re not from germany compare the price of the ticket with the ticket u want to buy and you will safe a bit of money if you’re on budget. And another thing is that the tickets you buy from the “Automat” is a bit thicker than the ones you get from the bus driver. When a day ticket is 6 to 7 € you can easily resell it for 4. So most of the time I would just leave the ticket in the automat after I reached my destination. You can also give it to homeless people who stay in the Station they really appreciate it.
actually that reselling of tickets isnt a scam it’s actually something nice where everyone gets a good deal out of it. Especially for younger people. As an example i am student in Bavaria near Munich and when i go home to Augsburg, i always try to find the cheapest way. And often people give away their used bayern tickets cause they dont need it anymore but u can still use it (its illegal cause its under the name of the owner u get i off, but usually nobody cares). Mostly they say: „ Wann give me 5€ for that and u can have it”. Actually thats a pretty solid deal (Price for one person bayern ticket is 25€, so u saved 20€) So well its kinda illegal but mostly its a fair deal just look what ticket u buy of people
Almost every person I met in Germany was very kind to us but we had one really strange thing happen at the train station in Munich. We sat inside of a little sandwich shop to have a snack and a man came in and approached us. He was pointing at my husband and seemed agitated and some what angry. I believe he was saying that my husband was English as he was pointing at him. We just said, No thank you in German a couple of times. The man then said..Oh American! I pulled our bags in close to me and he left. I couldn’t understand what the man was saying but I sensed that he was trying to provoke my husband or distract us to take our bags. No one around us said anything. It was really weird.
Whenever I visit Paris I make a donation to Les Restos de Coeur, a reputable charity that provides free meals to anyone who needs them. I recommend that when visiting a European country dont pay the beggars. Instead donate some cash to a reputable local charity that helps the homeless. That way you can do a good deed and know that the money is going where it’s needed.
re selling a ticket is not always a scam but a risk i did it a ticket is for 90 mins of driving in one direction and if i reached my destination by 40 mins i resold it for 1€ the other dont have to spend 3€ and i have only paid 2€ both sides won… but its a risk…i saw it as helping each other until i heard it can be a scam and invalid
I was recently in Munich and had someone come up to me asking if I spoke English (he had a case with him), saying he was trying to get to Budapest. (I had a feeling it was a scam/pickpocket team.) so my head was on a swivel, plus I had an anti-theft bag. Approaches and asks me if I speak English; I say I do. Proceeds to say I’m from London too. I’m not from London (Northern Irish). Anyway, he proceeded to show me his bank account on his phone (it was a screenshot showing £1500), and he asked me where he would buy a ticket and if he could use my card and he would give me the money. I said ”no, mate” and walked off. Not sure if anyone else has experienced this, but keep an eye out. It was in the shop/food concourse of Munich HBF.
I don’t know what was with last year, but last year i was with my friend in Berlin we were walking near the Reichstagh Parlament building when a lady and a guy came over and wanted our signiture and money, i said i have no money but my friend signed that paper and they forced him to pay money.There were a lot of german and foreigners around but nobody sad anything.I seen a lot of scammers in Berlin.
I’m german, have lived here since i was born and i gotta say, I hate it here, the only good thing about this country are the cheap grocery prices and and healt insurance. The people here are really cold and unfriendly. They dont look out for their surroundings while walking and look at you in a really judgemental way. USA is way friendlier in that regard, i cant wait to move there soon
As a German Americans are amusing. They tend to stand out and are too loud. Tourists drink too much and get really loud. I lived by an American base and in town they caused problems with drinking and being not nice to the locals. And yes most of us speak English we learn it in school. We’re not cold we are reserved until we know you. Scams are done to tourists because tourists are easy target. If something happens go to the authorities and they will help. Last thing – travel outside large cities and you will enjoy the Cenery and the friendly locals. Tschuss!
The first time I went to a toilet in Germany with a tipped attendant I felt so scammed. The guy basically blocked my way in until I put a 50 eurocent piece on his tray, then when I got to the stall it was absolutely filthy. It looked like the toilet from the “Nastiest bog in Scotland” scene in Trainspotting. I was tempted to take my 50 cents back haha.
Last month we were at a football game in the Berlin suburbs, between my 2 friends and I, our German is not great, but usually good enough to get by, the young girl serving the beers charged my friend for 3 beers but only gave him 2, he argued with her and told her she was trying to take advantage as he didn’t speak very good German, and trying to rip him off, eventually some of the locals stuck by my friend and said that he saw and heard her charge for 3 beers. Moral of the story is to try and learn the language firstly, but also make sure you know what you’re paying for 🍻 Pröst
One scam, you might be looking out for in bigger cities is the monk-scam, allthough that One isn’t particularly targeting tourists. Basically there a budhist-monk-looking guys, which will try to hand you some decorated goldcoin or metal plates. If you take them, they will demand money and cause a scene. So just don’t take it or hand it back or throw it on the ground and go away, when they force it into your hand.
When the kid behind you sneezed all of a sudden, I nearly expected that you would turn around and say Gesundheit to him ha ha Another annoying scam in Berlin’s subway system are those beggars that walk through the train ( even if its all crowded )…..it can be as annoying as every two minutes someone walks by ( and leave a well-maintained odor behind ha ha )
I had a young female come up to me and couple of other people I was on a tour with while in Berlin and we had finished a walking tour and ended by check point Charlie and we were standing by the McDonald’s and a few other shops when that young female had a clip board in hand and tried to give us a card to read which stated they were deaf and that if we would sign the petition and donate which I was aware of that scam for they would then jack your bag or wallet or something like that while you were busy signing. One of the ladies I was with told the other lady don’t sign it for that is a scam and that they may try to take something from you while signing so we just shook our heads and said no thanks.
Acc. to some studies, around 80 % of beggars are ipart of gangs. A common sham (specially at train stations) is that they would need “just a few Cents or Euros” to pay for “their ticket home”. Just a few days ago, two guys tried the exact same sham (with the exact same story and sum) within ca. 10 min. Don’t get me wrong, these people are really poor and devastated, and they need help, but instead of giving money, which they have to give to the gang leader, I tend to offer some food. With such an offer I would help them directly, since these gangs are not really interested in perishable goods.
So often ppl. want to sell you a 1 day ticket because they just used until 14:00 or smth and when you know that this ticket is legit you can save money because they will give it to you for 1 or 2€ insted of 6€ for a new one. But as a tourist you should not buy those because you will not know if it is the right ticket for you.
Some of the “disabled” Beggars really are disabled and poor. The problem is that, at least here in frankfurt, they get brought here from eastern europe by some kind of “Mafia” guys. Well dressed young mans driving nice cars. Those poor beggars often live in rugged down apartments with many other beggars. They still live a better life than back home but its not nice for them still. They often have to give the money to their “bosses” which live a rich life. If you want to help those people just buy them food instead. A kfc menu or 2 or 3 cheesburgers and a drink from mcdonalds. I do that quiet often and sit down with them to eat. I made one good friend in frankfurt like this. Always when I see him he joins me to eat in KFC in Hauptwache. We dont have anything in common or talk much but hes happy all the time. And I hope I brighten up his day like this. Sometimes bystanders buy him something for later that day. Once he got picked up at kfc by his boss, who gave me a bad look. But I dont care. If he can play bad cop I can play good cop 😉
the train tickets usually isnt a scam, we have 24hr tickets that allow 5 people to travel as a group for 24 hrs. so often people come to you and resell/give you the ticket they dont use anymore. same thing goes for parking tickets. i dont know if reselling a 24h ticket is against TOS of DB but its commonly done. Germans tend to be a little “criminal” when it comes to the potential ability to save money anyways lol
A funny thing about Germany… I wouldn’t call it a scam but might require a grain of attention: In restaurants, the names in the menu might be very misleading. I assume there is no clear regulation about that, because in any other field… No issue is too petty for the german police. (And is good to remember that, when dealing with a what sounds and look like a scammer.) If you are at a restaurant in Germany, you see a traditional international dish you fancy, order it… you might get something completely different. And it is perfectly legal. There are some limits to this, and it is a funny hobby trying to figure out those rules… i guess the list of ingredients below the name of the dish must be clear, if the name is something with gills, the content will be something that had gills… It is possible that you read like: Sandwich: Pride of San Daniele. Ingredients: Bread, rucola, mule ham from… well no idea. As said above, in any other field, german police is dead serious, as the joke says: ” In Germany, the difference between stealing a duck’s egg from a nest and murdering someone is in the sanction, but about the cognitive process and the ticket… (Angela) is ready to unleash all the tanks and helicopters and throw all germans in the snowstorm, (And Germans are ready to get lost in the snowstorm) to get those 15€ you owe to society.” I might be wrong about chaotic names on the restaurant menus being perfectly legal, but i don’t think restaurant owners would pull such a stunt, if it wasn’t legal.
I have to say I give my ticket always away but not for money. When I’m done and the ticket is still working for 12 or more hours I gave it away for free and yeah some baggers are scammer but not all. The whole Oktoberfest and Christmas markets are scammes. So overpriced but it’s still nice and fun to go. The other scammes I’ve never seen. Only near the boarders. When I see this I say something to a “victim” that’s so rude to scam people
I had a friend who took German in high school and never went to Germany tell me that German people sound really harsh when they speak German. Having been to Germany I said of course not, they’re really well mannered kind people! I never heard an “Angry German” when I was there besides when I was at a McDonalds in Dresden and we didn’t know how to open a door and a group of people behind us yelled “ZIEHEN!!”
Thank you for your helpful articles! I am looking at visiting Lower Saxony area for the first time to see the town where my grandparents are from. Could you recommend sights and things I should see in that area of Germany. I will be the first of are family to do this. My grandparents both have passed on so only have the town they were from on my must see. Thanks
A funny scam that happened to me and my two sisters a few years ago in the Tiergarten Park, Berlin. A very nice man on his bike stopped us and told us he was cycling through Germany for some charity. His English was excellent and we had a chat with him. So of course we agreed to give 5 euro each. He was delighted and rode off smiling. We just happened to mention it in our hotel. Ah they said it is a well known scam in Berlin. It was not much money – we did find it funny!!
I may say something related to pattern recognition. As long as they look “German” you should be fine in 99% of times. when they start looking “darker” you should be more alert. I’m not making this up, that’s what our Police statistics say and they are really generous. So not much different from any other western country.
Germans are not cold, indifferent people. This is probably the biggest misrepresentation I have ever heard about any group of people anywhere in the world (and I’ve now lived in 6 different countries). Germans are kind, compassionate rule followers. They are not obsequiously friendly and outgoing, but this does not make them rude or unkind. It makes them sincere.
For the beggars in Germany keep a simple rule: no money only goods! I never give money to them, even if they need it I don’t know if they use the money for drugs instead of food. But I buy a Brötchen (bready) for them or water and give it to them. If they refuse to take it, they didn’t seem to need it imo.
The biggest scam I came across in several place in Germany (as a Dutch tourist) is in restaurants; were they automatically serve you the largest size of drink (mostly half a liter/0,5 L), if you don’t explicitly ask for a small one. It doesn’t matter if it’s coke, coffee or beer. I think this very rude, because in most other European countries they don’t have two sizes on the menu or they will ask. If you are not custom with that, you will drink too much and feel sick at the end of the evening and pay a lot more than you want.
I got caught peeing in the Berlin Tiergarten during the World Cup 2018 (final German game where they lost to S. Korea) by these city cops. They looked like a ragtag bunch and weren’t carrying weapons so I told them I didn’t believe they were real cops and asked to be taken to the cops with the machine guns. I thought for sure that I had called their bluff but as we approached the fully armoured police unit I knew I’d have to pay the 20 Euro peeing fee… We all had a good chuckle at least! Either way, always ask for credentials!
Munich citizen here. Some people I know give their day tickets away for free after they are done with the trip (usually in the outskirts of the city). Formally it’s against the TOS of the transportation company but they are still valid and not personalized, so while I’d advise to double check the type and issue date, there are some nice people who just want to help out. The ticket system for the public transportation can be a little bit on the complicated side. So I’d say most of the time when you’re struggling with the ticket machine the people who approach you are just friendly locals who want to help you, especially in the suburban areas where there are no DB/MVG officials around.
Toilet ladies are not a scam, but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves… you might notice that they have a few coins displayed in front of them, usually only a handful of cents and when you give them let’s say a 1€ coin they will put that somewhere else to make the coin display look poorer and thus get more money that way…
whenever someone trys to rippoff some money from you ask someone in your area loud and clear if thisone can call the police .. or the Polizei, its german for police.. allmost all people under 60 .can understand and speak english.. not fluid but i am sure they offer help.. and dont hesitate to ask.. even if we all sound like dragonslayers we are not the cause why no dragons are around anymore.
The toilet women are SOMETIMES a scam. In fact, MOST of the time they are. See. if your are running a restaurant in Germany, you are obligated by law to provide your customers with a toilet. You CAN ask for money is someone who doesn’t eat in said restaurant wants to use your toilet, but for customers it HAS to be free by law. That is where the whole “you get a discount bon if you use the toilet at an Autobahn stop” is coming from, so that “customers” get the money they paid back. But some people who run bars have gotten the “clever” idea to have someone sit in the toilet and stare at people who use it. DON’T give them any money if you are actually frequenting the bar. The bar owner is the one who (again, under law) has to pay for their work and ensure that he toilet is clean, and you can’t even be sure that those women will be allowed to keep the money at the end. DON’T let yourself conned into paying part of their wages for the owner of the restaurant. Unless you aren’t a customer. Then you should pay. Regarding Beggars: Be aware that the German social system covers everyone. There are some people who stay out of the system, but they are usually not the ones you will encounter in the streets, especially not the ones which are really forward. Those are usually part of begging gangs from eastern Europe. It’s better to ignore them. (The litmus test if you see someone regularly is to offer some food instead of money…you can see based on the reaction to which group they belong, because a genuine beggar usually gladly takes the food, while the one who is part of the begging gang will be annoyed by the notion).
Unfortunately the toilet ladies are being replaced by coin machines, and that means instead of paying 20 cents (actually its pay-what-you-want) you now have to pay 1€ for taking a piss, wich is ridiculous Btw: if you dont wanna buy a ticket ( theyre way too expensive) and you get caught, definitely DO NOT give them a fake name and claim you forgot your ID. It NEVER works wink wink