Packing list for Germany, travel insurance for Germany and taking your belongings

What to take to Germany: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a valid identity card or passport is sufficient for travelers from the EU. For people from outside the EU a visa might be necessary. Germany uses the euro, and although you can increasingly use your debit card, cash is still quite important in some places. Small cafes, bakeries, or mountain huts, for example, sometimes only accept cash.
• Clothing: bring clothing that suits the season. Summers can be warm, while winters in the south and east get quite cold. If you are traveling into the Alps, bring layers, warm clothing, and a raincoat; the weather in the mountains can change quickly.
• Shoes: comfortable shoes are ideal for city trips. For hikes in the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest, or the Harz, sturdy hiking boots with good grip are important.
• Personal care and hygiene: sunscreen remains important, especially during hikes in the mountains and activities in the snow or on the water.
• Packing and protection: a compact umbrella or raincoat and a rain cover for your backpack are handy. If you are traveling by car, you are required to have a life jacket, a warning triangle, and an up-to-date first aid kit for every occupant.
• Insects and animals: mosquito repellent is pleasant during the summer, especially around lakes, rivers, and campsites. If you are hiking in forests or grasslands, also bring a tick remover. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) occurs in parts of southern Germany.
• Medicines and travel first aid kit: a small first aid kit and personal medication.
• Outdoors and handy items: a reusable water bottle, sunglasses, a cap or hat in the summer, and a small daypack.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter for type C and F sockets.

To consider

• Walking poles for mountain hikes.
• Swimwear for lakes such as Lake Constance, Lake Chiemsee, or Lake Eibsee.
• A foldable shopping bag; many shops charge for plastic bags. A thermos flask for walks in the colder months.
• An environmental sticker on your windshield if you are traveling by car.

Are there mosquitoes in Germany?

• During spring and summer, mosquitoes are common in Germany, especially around rivers, lakes, and nature reserves.
• For most travelers, they are mainly a nuisance. Mosquito-borne diseases do not really play a role.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Germany?

• Yes, but fortunately not many. Sandflies have been found in the warmer parts of Southwest Germany. For most travelers, they do not pose a problem.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Germany?

• DEET, picaridine, and other insect repellents can easily be found at drugstores such as DM and Rossmann, pharmacies, and supermarkets.
• See also DEET mosquito repellents and the percentages.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Germany, or bring it to Germany?

• Since 2024, German cannabis regulations have been relaxed. Adults aged 18 and over are allowed to possess limited quantities of cannabis and grow it at home.
• There are also Cannabis Social Clubs—non-profit clubs you can join where cannabis is grown and shared locally.
• Medical cannabis is also legal.
• However, for tourists, this does not mean that cannabis is freely available. Selling to tourists, or buying by tourists, is still illegal. Importing cannabis into the country is also illegal.