Many people speak and understand English, but German is Germany’s official language.
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Germany’s official currency is the euro. Credit cards are becoming increasingly more accepted in hotels, large shops and restaurants, but Germans usually carry cash. You'll have to cash traveller’s cheques in exchange bureaus, many of which you can find at airports and main railway stations. Banks won’t accept them. If you need some quick cash, there are plenty of ATMs around.
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Germany’s international country code is 49. You can call another country from Germany by dialling 00 followed by the appropriate country code. One of the cheapest ways to make a call is by using a phone card in the post offices’ public telephone booths. You can access the web in Internet cafes found in the main towns.
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Add 5 to 10 per cent to a restaurant bill, unless there’s already a service charge included. Cleaning staff and taxi drivers expect small tips, and you should tip a hotel porter €1.
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Tourists in Germany rarely have trouble with crime, but you should use common sense to avoid mugging, pick pocketing and purse-snatching, especially in the big city railway stations and airports.
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Germany has no serious health risks and the country’s medical system is very good.
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Germany’s electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz and uses two-pinned plugs.
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