Climate
Rhineland-Palatinate is characterized by a western European-Atlantic climate. There are mild winters, moderate summers and high annual rainfall. Due to the topography, however, there are strong spatial differences within the country. Some regions are among the warmest in Germany, while other regions have a harsher climate.
Credit Cards/Payment
In Rhineland-Palatinate you can pay with cash (€) or cashless with Eurocheque Card (EC) and partly with credit card. All major credit cards can be used in retail, hotels and restaurants. Payment by credit card is not possible everywhere. MasterCard and Visa are the most accepted. Please note that smaller amounts (up to 10€) often can’t be paid with an EC or credit card.
Smoking
The Non-Smoker Protection Act of October 5, 2007 applies in Rhineland-Palatinate. Smoking is banned in public facilities, hospitals, nursing and retirement homes, and schools. Public buildings (cinemas, theatres, museums, sports facilities, etc.), means of transport and restaurants are also subject to the smoking ban. Smoking is only permitted in separate rooms, as long as these are separated from non-smoking areas. This regulation also applies to special events.
Currency
The official currency is the EURO (€, EUR). A euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros. Euro banknotes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 euros. You can currently pay with the euro in 19 countries of the European Union as well as the non-EU countries Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City. Exchange offices can be found at airports and main train stations. Some banks also offer exchange services by prior arrangement.
Customs Service
You can import goods duty-free from EU countries as long as they are intended for personal use or consumption. There are restrictions on certain goods, such as cigarettes and alcohol. Goods such as medicines, drugs or pyrotechnics are subject to authorization requirements or are prohibited in Germany. The import of cash from 10,000 euros must be applied for before arrival. For more information, contact the responsible customs office.