Travel essentials for Germany
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Power & adapters
Type C, F adapter required
You need a Type C or F adapter - the round two-pin European plug. The voltage is 230V, the same as Australia, so your chargers, hair dryer and shaver all work normally once the plug fits. Germany uses Type F (Schuko), which also accepts a Type C plug.
230V, 50Hz
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe and heavily regulated. Restaurants will rarely offer it though - ordering "Leitungswasser" sometimes gets a look, and bottled sparkling is the default.
Staying connected
Good in cities, genuinely patchy on rural rail lines and in parts of the countryside - German mobile coverage lags most of Western Europe.
A Europe-wide eSIM is the sensible buy. Free WiFi is less common in German cafes than Australians expect.
Compare Germany eSIMsHealth risks
- Tick-borne encephalitis in southern forests between spring and autumn
- Summer heatwaves in cities with little air conditioning
Emergency numbers in Germany
| All emergencies | 112 for everything |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Ambulance | 112 |
| Fire | 112 |
| Australian consulate | Australian Embassy Berlin - +49 30 880 0880 |
Tipping and everyday costs
Round up to the nearest euro or add 5-10% for good service, and say the total you want to pay as you hand over the money rather than leaving coins on the table.
What screening will actually let you pack
Half of what goes in the bag is decided by someone else. What you can take on a plane sets out the Australian rules item by item - power banks, liquids, scissors, aerosols - and what has to be declared at the border on the way home.
More Germany essentials
Further reading: Power adapters by country: what Australians actually need to pack
How these comparisons are made
Plug types, voltages and frequencies come from the international electrotechnical standards data for each country, stated per destination with what that means for Australian appliances specifically - what needs an adapter, what needs a converter, and what should stay home. Read the full editorial policy.
Germany travel essentials FAQs
What power adapter do I need for Germany?
A Type C or F adapter. Germany runs on 230V at 50Hz, the same as Australia, so everything works normally once the plug fits.
Planning Germany?
We will send you the Germany guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.