CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Germany

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 2 has been updated (information on flooding removed).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Germany

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Germany do not experience problems. There are no serious security or safety concerns.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Petty crime, such as mugging, pickpocketing, and purse snatching, occurs in major cities or high-risk areas, such as train stations and airports, and has increased in Berlin.

Pickpockets work in teams of two or three and focus especially on trains, railway stations, and airports. Methods include distracting the target's attention when boarding or alighting from trains, and surrounding the target (left/right or front/back) in line-ups or at check-in counters.

Extremist youth gangs are a threat, particularly in urban areas and the new German states (Bundesländer). Members have been known to harass or attack individuals for racial reasons or because they appear to be foreign.

Arson attacks on parked luxury vehicles have occurred.

Demonstrations

Avoid  demonstrations, protests, and large gatherings, as they can turn violent without notice. Strikes may occasionally interfere with services, such as mail, telephone, and transport.

General Safety Information

It is recommended that visitors carry their passport at all times, as police have the right to ask to see identification.

Ensure personal belongings and other travel documents are secure at all times.

Call 112 in the event of a medical emergency, and 110 regarding a road accident.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the German authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Germany. The passport must be valid for at least the expected duration of your stay in the country.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays up to 90 days within a 6-month period)*
Business Visa: Not required
Student Visa: Required

*The 90-day period starts upon the first entry into any country that is part of the Schengen Area.

EXTENSION OF TOURIST STAYS
Extensions beyond 90 days are not possible. To stay longer, Canadians must apply for a residence permit and have a valid reason, such as education or employment. In some circumstances, tourists who stay beyond the 90-day limit unexpectedly (e.g., due to illness) may contact the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) and present their outbound ticket in order to get a certificate (Grenzuebertrittsbescheinigung) that has to be given to the border authorities upon departure. Tourists who overstay and who do not have this certificate will be fined. A return to Germany is possible if tourists stay outside the country for the same amount of time they spent in Germany. This scenario cannot be repeated indefinitely. If Canadians have many entries (documented by entry stamps) and remain in Germany for longer visits, they might be refused entry.

For more information, contact the Foreigners' Office at 030 90269 4000 (Section IV z 6 deals specifically with Canadians) if you are in Berlin, the Foreigners' Office in the German town or state where you wish to reside, or the nearest German embassy or consular office before you leave Canada. For the latest information on German immigration law, please consult the German Interior Ministry Web site.

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Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom), along with Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders. The following 25 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period). The 90 days are cumulative and apply to travel within all countries of the Schengen Area. Some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen Area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, Canadians must obtain a long-stay national visa.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Regular passport and citizenship applications are processed at the Embassy of Canada in Berlin. Temporary passports can be issued by the Embassy in Berlin and by the consulates in Munich and Düsseldorf. Emergency travel documents can be issued by all Canadian missions in Germany.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/cash_controls/index_en.htm.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:

Germany - BERLIN, Embassy of Canada
Address: Leipziger Platz 17, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: 49 (30) 20312 470; 49 (30) 20312 0
Fax: 49 (30) 20 31 24 57
E-Mail: brlin-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Germany.gc.ca

Germany - DÜSSELDORF, Consulate of Canada
Address: Benrather Strasse 8, 40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
Tel.: 49 (211) 17 21 70
Fax: 49 (211) 35 91 65
E-Mail: ddorf@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Germany.gc.ca

Germany - MUNICH, Consulate of Canada
Address: Tal 29, 80331 Munich, Germany
Tel.: 49 (89) 21 99 57 0
Fax: 49 (89) 21 99 57 57
E-Mail: munic@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Germany.gc.ca

Germany - STUTTGART, Consulate of Canada
Address: Lange Strasse 51, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany
Tel.: 49 (711) 22 39 67 8
Fax: 49 (711) 22 39 67 9
E-Mail: stuttgart@canada.de
Internet: http://www.Germany.gc.ca

When making a long-distance call within Germany, the city code must be preceded by a zero. For example, to call Berlin from elsewhere in Germany, you must dial 030 followed by the local number.

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Berlin and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. From within Germany, it is also possible to reach the Emergency Operations Centre toll-free by dialling 00 800 2326 6831.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Good medical care is widely available in Germany. Immediate cash payment is often expected. A hospital stay or medical treatment in Germany is expensive. German hospitals do not issue a detailed breakdown of expenses, which is usually required by Canadian insurance companies. Such a detailed bill has to be requested from the hospital or the doctor.

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in wooded areas in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate and south Hesse from spring to autumn. If you plan to visit forested areas, you should seek advice regarding inoculations before leaving Canada.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 flu virus.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Germany are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Germany to request a transfer to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and German authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

You should carry identification at all times. You may wish to carry a photocopy of your passport; however, police may require that you produce the original.

Canadians intending to reside in Germany for three months or more must register with the German authorities (Einwohnermeldeamt) within seven days of their entry into the country.

Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may result in jail sentences and heavy fines.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Travellers should understand and observe traffic laws and regulations, particularly rights-of-way and speed limits. The high speeds permitted on the German autobahn can pose a significant hazard. In the event of a traffic accident, call 110. Roads and public transportation are excellent in the west and good throughout the east.

The use of mobile telephones while driving is prohibited, unless fitted with a hands-free device.

Penalties for drinking and driving are strict. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines or jail sentences, and driving licences may be confiscated immediately.

Drivers must carry a valid Canadian driver's licence as well as insurance, vehicle documents, and written permission from the registered owner of the vehicle (if it does not belong to the driver) at all times. The minimum age for driving a car in Germany is 18. Canadians under 18 are not permitted to drive, even with a valid Canadian driver’s licence.

Drivers who posses a valid Canadian driver's licence can use it in Germany for a maximum period of six months. Canadians intending to remain in Germany and drive a car beyond the six months should arrange for an exchange of their Canadian licence for a German one. It can take up to six weeks for German authorities to exchange the licence.

Rail service is widely available and reliable.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the euro (EUR). Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at most banks and some shops. Credit cards are accepted by major hotels, shops, and restaurants. ABMs are widely available.Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Heavy flooding may occur in spring and summer.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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