The power supply system of Berlin is based on 50 Hz AC with a voltage of 230 V. Tip: Check if your electrical and electronical equipment is suited for this system before leaving your home country. If it is not, it may be destroyed if you try to use it!
You can buy adapters for different plugs in your local stores or often can get them for usage in your hotel.
Please, refer to the website of Vattenfall for further information on the power supply system of Berlin.
Currency
Since January 1st 2002, the Euro is offical currency in Germany.
The past currency, the "Deutsche Mark" (DEM), is only exchanged to Euro by the national central banks of the Federal Republic of Germany at the fixed course of 1 Euro=1,95583 DEM.
In the daily life the DEM has disappeared as currency.
Time Zone
In Germany we have the central european time (CET) with daylight saving time in summer. The CET is 1 hour 'delayed' to the Greewich mean time (GMT). If it is 10:00 am in London it is 11:00 am in Berlin.
Please, refer to The World Clock for the current time at several places worldwide.
Public holidays
We have not all public holidays in all states of Germany standardized. It may happen that a day is for example a public holiday in Bavaria but not in Berlin.
Entry requirements and visa regulations
For citizens of countries of the European Union (EU) and of some further countries no special restrictions apply for journeys to Germany but for inhabitants of several other countries special regulations apply and they need an entry visa to travel to Germany.
Details of the different regulations can be found on the website of the German Foreign Office with lists of all countries to which they refer.
Embassies and consulates
Berlin is the capital of Germany. Therefore, embassies and consulates of nearly all countries can be found here. Tip: Inform yourself about your home country representation before leaving.
Mobile phones
In Berlin and Germany only GSM mobile phones with the frequencies of 900 MHz or 1800 MHz are working. Tip: Ask you local provider if your mobile phone will work in Germany.
More details on the GSM standard can be found on the following official homepage GSM World.
Important phone numbers for emergency calls
The number for an emergency call is 110 for the police and 112 for the fire department. Nearly all public phone boxes are enabled for toll free calls of this numbers.
Further information
Further information about Berlin can be found online on the server of the 'Berliner Senat' (local government) at Berlin.de.
General official information about Germany you may find at the website of the federal government Bundesregierung.de.
All data without guarantee. Errors excepted.
All rights reserved, including the right for electronic reproduction and publication.
Commercial use must be authorized bynetVisions.