Travel Money in Germany (2024)

<h2>What is the local currency in Germany?</h2>The currency of Germany is the Euro (EUR.) One Euro is 0.90 GBP (as of July 3 2020).<h2>Do I tip whilst in Germany?</h2>In Germany, tipping is accepted and appreciated for exceptional service. However, on most occasions, a ‘round-up’ to the nearest Euro will suffice.Caxton conducted a study on Tipping etiquette, results for Germany show that a guideline expectation for tipping hotel staff is approximately 3-5 euro tip per day, any tour guides would be an additional 10% added on to the bill, but for bars, restaurants or taxis, a rounding up to the nearest 1, 5 or 10 euros will be enough.View our <a rel="noopener" href="/travel-money/what-you-need-to-know-about-tipping-on-holiday/" target="_blank">tipping guide</a> for more advice on tipping abroad.<h2>Using cash in Germany</h2>When travelling, our experts would recommend always bringing a small amount of cash with you on every trip, for initial taxi transfers or hotel deposits etc. The rest of your travel money should be put onto a <a rel="noopener" href="/currency-cards/caxton-currency-account/" target="_blank">Caxton multi-currency card</a>, for safe and secure spending.Cash is no longer king in Germany (even more so after COVID-19,) and almost all establishments accept credit/debit cards.Most international banks and money outlets now charge a fee for using ATM machines, as do most card providers. Taking a travel pre-paid card and a credit card is recommended as Caxton does not charge for international ATM use regardless of sum or number of times, (but check with your card provider about charges.)We would recommend still bringing your bank card on your trip as a backup option. However, if you decide to take your bank card, we recommend telling your bank before you go so the transaction isn’t identified as fraudulent, but be prepared for fees and high exchange rates.All major cards are accepted widely in Germany at key tourist hubs.<h2>The price of food and drink in Germany</h2>As a rough guideline, we’ve put together a list of the costs of spending an average day in Germany:Domestic beer = €2.50One-way ticket on local transport = one-way fareis approx. €2.80Meal, inexpensive restaurant = €10.00Bottle of wine (mid-range) =€5.00Bottle of water =€2.00<h2> What happens if I have my wallet stolen whilst in Germany?</h2>Germany is known to be a safe country with friendly and helpful people, but this shouldn’t stop you from being smart whilst you travel. If the majority of your cash is on a <a rel="noopener" href="/currency-cards/caxton-currency-account/" target="_blank">prepaid card</a>, this will be automatically protected. However, in case the worse happens, here are the list of major debit/credit card ‘lost and stolen’ numbers:HSBC/First Direct - +44 1442 422929Natwest - +44 1268 500 813Lloyds - +44 1702 278270Barclays - +442476842099Santander - +44 1908 237 963<img style="width: 500px; height: 235.33333333333331px;" src="https://media.caxtonfx.com/img/1100401/germany-travel-money-markets.jpg?width=500&height=235.33333333333331" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a637cf2dfefc476a8a56a8bf70d9f709" /><h2>The cost of tourist attractions in Germany</h2>Some examples of Germany's most popular tourist attractions are:Cologne Cathedral:entrance fee €4, concessions €2.Oktoberfest: Germany's most popular annual beer festival doesn't have an entrance fee, it's free to wander around. However, a particular part of the festival - The “Oide Wiesn”, is separated from the main Wiesn and costs 3 euros entry.Brandenburg Gate:Undoubtedly Berlin's most iconic landmark, it's free to see so worth adding to your Berlin bucket-list.<h2>What can I do with spare currency in Germany?</h2>Whilst in Germany, you may as well spend any remaining Euro, if only small amount, on some traditional German souvenirs, such as:<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;">Beer stein</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Sauerkraut</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Dirndl or Lederhosen</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Bratwurst sausage</li></ul><h2>History of the Euro</h2><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;">The Euro came into existence on 1 January 1999 - though it had been a goal of the European Union since the 1960s. Notes and coins didn’t begin circulation until 2002.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">Today the euro is the sole currency of 19 EU member states, with the original dozen being joined by: Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia. These countries constitute the "eurozone".</li><li style="font-weight: 400;">The rise of the Euro in its short lifespan is remarkable with it now being the second-largest reserve currency as well as the second-most traded currency in the world after the United States dollar.</li>

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Travel Money in Europe: Travel Money in France, Travel Money in Spain, Travel Money in Sweden, Travel Money in Denmark, Travel Money in Austria, Travel Money in Finland, Travel Money in Germany, Travel Money in Greece, Travel Money in Italy, Travel Money in Norway, Travel Money in Portugal, Travel Money in Switzerland, Travel Money in Turkey.
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Alternatively, if lederhosen isn’t your thing, you can use Caxton’s <a rel="noopener" href="/currency-cards/buy-back-guarantee/" target="_blank">buy back guarantee</a> to get rid of any unused Euro. By doing this you ensure that if the exchange rate moves against you, you won't lose out.<a rel="noopener" href="/the-best-prepaid-currency-card-and-account/" target="_blank"><img style="width: 500px; height: 125px;" src="https://mediaumbraco.blob.core.windows.net/img/1099354/caxtoncard-promo-banner-02.png?width=500&height=125" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d2ce56b6d4dd46298f0dcafd9c58b9d8" /></a>

FAQs

Is 1000 enough in Germany? ›

It would be hard to get by for less than €1,000 a month in Germany, and this rises to around €1,500€ - €2,000€ in the cities where rents are higher.

How much cash should I carry in Germany? ›

Any person who is carrying more than EUR 10,000 in cash/funds (e.g. in their handbag, backpack or suitcase) has to declare the full amount in writing and hand the declaration over to the German customs. It is not relevant who is the owner of the cash/funds and why you are carrying the cash/funds.

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How many euros should I take to Germany for 2 weeks? ›

A one week trip to Germany usually costs around $1,136 (€1,061) for one person and $2,273 (€2,121) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. A two week trip to Germany on average costs around $2,273 (€2,121) for one person and $4,546 (€4,243) for two people.

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How much money do you need to take to Germany for a week? ›

For budget travelers, you can expect to spend around $50 to $70 per day in Germany, while mid-range travelers can expect to spend around $100 to $150 per day. It's important to plan ahead and research activities and costs to create a budget that works for you.

Is 500 euro enough in Germany? ›

Expect to pay more in major cities like Munich and Frankfurt compared to smaller towns. A rough estimate for a one-bedroom apartment could be €500-€1500 per month, excluding utilities.

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How much euro do I need per day in Germany? ›

I think you could get by on about 30-35 Euro each per day (70 euro total). Breakfast will be included in most hotels you stay. Dinner will run about 15 Euro, plus beverage..18-20 Euro. Bratwurst & soda for lunch, maybe 5 Euro.

Is it better to use cash or card in Germany? ›

Important: whether you are shopping, in a restaurant or at the club, Berliners prefer to pay with cash. Debit cards and major credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard) may often also be used, but smaller shops and cafés might only accept cash payments.

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Is it cheaper to get euros in the US or in Europe? ›

With time at your disposal, you'll be able to see exactly what the fee and rate is, and how many euros you'll get for your dollars. It's possible of course that you might get a better deal when you land in Europe. It may well be the case that fees are lower and exchange rates better.

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How much proof of money do I need for Germany? ›

The document you need is called a “Finanzierungsnachweis”, or proof of financial resources. In most cases, applicants have to prove that they have around 11.208 euros at their disposal for one year.

How many euros for a 10 day trip? ›

For a 7-11 day Europe trip, I bring $200-$300 Euros in cash. I find it less stressful to order Euros from my bank a few weeks before my trip, so I have local cash upon arrival. The exchange rate is usually better this way. While you can exchange money at the airport, I recommend this alternative.

Is Germany expensive for tourists? ›

The affordability is great! Because Germany is centrally located on the continent, it is more expensive than eastern countries like Romania or Bulgaria, but it is cheaper than pricey western countries like France or Spain. If you want to travel Germany on a budget, it can definitely be done!

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Is $100 a day enough for Europe? ›

While it's possible to travel on $100 per day in Europe, it can be challenging, especially in larger cities or during peak seasons. This budget would require staying in hostels or low-cost Airbnb accommodations, relying heavily on public transportation, and eating inexpensive meals.

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Is food in Germany expensive? ›

Food prices in Germany are generally considered to be quite low, especially compared to those of neighboring countries such as France, Italy, Austria, Sweden, and Belgium, where food is much more expensive.

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How much money do you need for food in Germany per month? ›

German food prices

According to recent data from Numbeo, the cost of living in Germany for a single person food-wise is around €200-250 a month. It is relatively low compared to other European countries. For example, you would spend €300/month in France or €300-500/month in the Netherlands per person.

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Can you live off 1000 euros a month? ›

After 7 months of living in Madrid, I have finally learned how to manage my money. I also learned that it IS possible to live off of your teaching stipend of 1000 euros. However, it is NOT easy. The money I spent each month varied drastically.

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What is considered a lot of money in Germany? ›

Data published by the Institute for German Economy found that any single person earning 3.700 euros per month after taxes is considered part of Germany's rich, in the top 10 percent of earners. For a couple without children, earning a combined net salary of 5.550 euros will place them in the top 10 percent.

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How much money do you need to eat in Germany? ›

A single person who plans meals carefully, doesn't eat too much meat, and shops at discount supermarkets can do their weekly shopping for less than €50 a week (not including alcohol or toiletries). This makes the daily cost of food in Germany around €7 provided you eat leftovers for lunch and avoid eating out.

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What is a decent salary in Germany? ›

A salary between €64,000 and €70,000 gross a year is considered a good salary in Germany. For a single person, this means roughly €40,000 to €43,000 euros net a year or between €3,300 and €3,600 euros net a month.

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