Since May 31, 2022, there is no general obligation to provide proof when entering Germany. Travelers are no longer required to provide proof of vaccinations, tests or proof of health. Detailed information is available from the German Federal Foreign Office.

No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Germany. However, a COVID-19 vaccination is recommended.

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.

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.

The retail trade in Rhineland-Palatinate is usually open from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Supermarkets, on the other hand, open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. All shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Stamps are available from post offices, many hotels and tourist shops.

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.

Police: 110

Fire brigade/rescue service: 112

You can call these emergency numbers at any time free of charge from landline and mobile networks.

The national language is German. Many people from Rhineland-Palatinate also speak English as a foreign language.

In Germany, and thus also in Rhineland-Palatinate, type F ("Schuko") sockets are used as the standard. Type C (Euro plug) is only rarely found.

The basic fee is between 3-4 euros, the price per kilometer is around 2 euros and the standing and waiting time is around 30 euros per hour. Tip: Ask the taxi driver for a fixed price before you leave.

As a rule, the service is included in the price of drinks and food. If you are satisfied with the service, a tip of around 10% of the total is customary. The allocation and the amount of the tip are at your own discretion.

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.

There are over 1,000 free WiFi hotspots available in Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition, free WiFi is available in selected areas (e.g. in cafes, restaurants, hotel lobbies, etc.).

Germany and thus also Rhineland-Palatinate belong to the Central European time zone (UTC/GMT +1):

Normal time (October-March): + 1h

Summer time (March-October): + 2h

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.