Germany is far more cash-dependent than its neighbours: bakeries, Spaetis and street food often refuse cards. Withdraw at Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank or Commerzbank machines and never at a Euronet.
- Carry cash - really. Bakeries, butchers, Berlin Spaetis, beer gardens, doener stands, flea markets and public toilets are still frequently cash-only.
- Girocard is the local debit network, and some small merchants take it while refusing Visa and Mastercard. American Express is widely refused outside big hotels.
- Use bank ATMs - Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Postbank - and avoid Euronet and Cashzone machines, which charge EUR 4 to EUR 7.99 per withdrawal.
- Always decline dynamic currency conversion, which costs 8% to 15% over the interbank rate.
- Tip 5% to 10% by saying the total, not by leaving coins - state the amount you want to pay before the server taps the card. Leaving money on the table is not how it is done here.
Money and paying for things
Germany uses the euro (EUR).
- Carry cash. Really. Card acceptance is now normal in supermarkets, hotels and department stores, but bakeries, butchers, Berlin Spaetis, beer gardens, doener and currywurst stands, flea markets, public toilets and short taxi rides are still frequently cash-only. EUR 50 in your pocket removes most friction.
- Girocard is the local debit network and some small merchants take it while refusing Visa and Mastercard. American Express is widely refused outside big hotels and chains.
- Use bank ATMs: Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Volksbank Raiffeisenbank and Postbank do not add their own surcharge to a foreign withdrawal.
- Avoid Euronet, Cashzone and Your Cash. These independent machines cluster near landmarks and nightlife and charge EUR 4 to EUR 7.99 per withdrawal on top of pushing a bad conversion.
- Always decline dynamic currency conversion. Being billed in your home currency at an ATM or terminal costs 8% to 15% over the interbank rate. Choose "continue in EUR" every time.
- Do not change cash at airport or station Wechselstube counters such as Reisebank; spreads run 10% to 20% off market. An ATM withdrawal is always better.
Tipping
- 5% to 10% in a sit-down restaurant is normal, no more.
- Say the total, do not leave coins. When the server takes payment you state the amount you want to pay including the tip - "25 Euro, bitte" for a EUR 23.50 bill - before they tap the card. Leaving money on the table afterwards is not how it is done here.
- Cafes and street food: round up or drop change in the jar.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Espresso or cappuccino | EUR 2.80 to 4.50 |
| Doener or currywurst with chips | EUR 6.00 to 9.50 |
| Main course, mid-range restaurant | EUR 14.00 to 25.00 |
| Bottled water, 1 litre, supermarket | EUR 0.45 to 1.20 |
| Single urban transit ticket | EUR 3.30 to 4.40 |
| Taxi | EUR 4.50 to 5.50 base plus EUR 2.00 to 2.80 per km |
Pfand: most bottles and cans carry a deposit of EUR 0.25 added at the till and refunded by a machine in any supermarket. Do not throw them away - and if you leave one beside a bin rather than in it, you are following local custom rather than littering.
Comments
No comments yet. Share the first one.
Share a tip
Sign in to continue.