Practical information when heading to Munich

The currency of Germany has been the Euro (EUR) since 2002.

When entering Germany from an EU Member State and when leaving Germany for an EU Member State, cash and equivalent means of payment with a total value of EUR 10,000 or more must be reported verbally to the customs control units when questioned.

Non-EU Member States:
Travellers to or from Germany with cash with a total value of 10,000 euros or more must declare this amount to customs. Equivalent means of payment must be shown verbally when entering Germany when questioned by customs officials.

In the centre of Munich branches of Sparkasse, ReiseBank and Santander as well as Ria Money Transfer & Currency Exchange branches can be found near the central station. You will find ReiseBank branches also directly at Munich Airport.

Banks and bureaux de change
Banks are open from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays with late hours until 6 pm on Thursdays (closed Saturdays and Sundays). There are numerous cash machines throughout the city and the branches of Reisebank are open also during weekends.

German prices include a regular tax rate of 19% Value Added Tax (VAT). It is refundable to persons who are non-EU residents and who are travelling to a non-EU destination. Tax-free shopping is possible in many major shops and department stores in Munich.

There is also a reduced rate of 7% which is applied to the followig goods: e.g. groceries, books, newspapers, entry ticket for theatres, concerts and museum.

A guide to VAT refund for visitors to the EU can be found here.

Goods into Germany
The amount and types of goods you can import into Germany without customs duty depend on whether you arrive from an EU country or a non-EU country. For information about duty-free allowances, please visit the website of German Customs.

In Munich major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, stores, cafes and restaurants. Be sure to bring your PIN code and a picture ID when using a credit card in Germany. It is also advisable to carry cash because market stalls, smaller stores and local food shops such as butchers or bakeries still run on cash. ATM machines will allow you to withdraw cash quickly and hassle-free.

Lost or stolen cards
If your credit card gets lost or stolen while you are in Munich/Germany, call the German hotline on tel.: (+49) 116 116 to block your card.

ATMs/cash machines
ATMs offer a convenient way of withdrawing German money on a credit or debit card. Most banks have ATMs outside that are open 24 hours. All major cards are accepted.

If you wish to visit Munich, you should inquire whether you will need a visa or not. If you do, make sure to file an application in due time.

EU citizens
If you are an EU citizen, you must either present a passport or an ID card valid for the duration of your stay in order to enter Germany for tourist visits of up to three months.

Non-EU Citizens
Citizens of other countries must have a valid passport. Some non-EU citizens are required to produce a visa. Please contact your travel agent or the nearest German diplomatic post for further information.

Foreign driving licences
In Germany, your foreign driving licence is valid up to six months. After this period, you'll have to apply for a German (temporary) driving licence. Please note that the information on your licence must be written with Latin letters. This does not apply to driving licences from EU countries.

Find more information at the website of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.

Almost all shops are closed in Munich on Sundays, with the exception of the main railway station, Ostbahnhof (East Station) and Munich-Pasing station, where individual shops are open.
Opening hours vary, and department stores and supermarkets usually stay open longer. Outside ordinary shopping hours, various kiosks are open for the sale of tobacco, newspapers and sweets etc. Bakeries, florists and souvenir shops are usually open seven days a week.

Germany, like most other European countries, has 230-volt AC, 50Hz current and uses two-pin continental plugs.
If you visit from the UK and Ireland, you will need an adaptor for electric appliances, whereas North Americans often need a transformer in order to use their 110/125V appliances.

If your property is lost or stolen in Munich, here are the contacts and places you can reach out to for assistance.

Main lost property office
Lost property office of the city of Munich
Tel.: (+49) 89 23 39 60 45
E-Mail: fundbuero.kvr@muenchen.de
Web: www.fundbuero-muenchen.de
Opening hours: only by appointment

Airport
For lost luggage or possessions left behind on a plane, please contact the relevant airline. For lost luggage or possessions left behind at the Munich Airport please contact:
Lost & found office (Service Center) at Munich Airport
fundbuero@munich-airport.de
Opening hours: Daily 6 am – 10.30 pm

Public Transport (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses)
Please contact the transport company you travelled with as soon as possible.

In case of an emergency while you are in Munich, always dial 112. It is a free call which will connect you to the police, fire brigade or hospital. If you need a chemist or dentist, there are a few which are open 24 hours.

Police, fire brigade and ambulance
Call (+49) 112 for life threatening emergencies and ask for the fire department or ambulance service.
Call (+49) 110 for police
Call (+49) 116 117 for medical help and to speak to a nurse or doctor, or to go to a hospital emergency department. Speak slowly and distinctly. State telephone number and address.

On-call practice in Elisenhof (general practitioners, paediatricians, gynaecologists, ENT specialists, orthopaedics/surgery):
Mon + Tue + Thu: 7 pm – 11 pm
Wed + Fri: 2 pm – 11 pm
Sat + Sun, public holidays: 8 am – 11 pm
Call: (+49) 1805 19 12 12 (0,12 € / min.)

Paediatric and adolescent on-call service
The paediatric emergency practices (24h):
Paediatric clinic Harlaching, Sanatoriumsplatz 2, 81545 München, call: (+49) 89 6210 2717
Paediatric clinic Schwabing, Parzivalstrasse 16, 80804 München, call: (+49) 89 3068 2589.

24-hour chemist
Overview of the Bavarian Chamber of Pharmacists Emergency service pharmacies: medicines and hygiene products around the clock, even on Sundays and public holidays.

Missing children
Always contact the police. Call +(49) 110

In Munich, the mother tongue is German.
In the German schools, English is taught from a very early age and to some extent French.

There are all kinds of alternative solutions for luggage storage in Munich. The providers Bounce, Stasher and LuggageHero cooperate with local shops where you can store your luggage. You can search for an address on the relevant websites and will be shown cooperating shops once you have completed your booking.

Many attractions and shops in Munich close on public holidays. Here is an overview.

People with disabilities can expect a mobility concept at MVV (public transport) that is well tailored to their needs. Almost all stops in the MVV area are now barrier-free. The new underground, bus, tram and regional train vehicles are also designed in such a way that boarding is usually easy, even with a larger wheelchair, thanks to additional ramps and other technical facilities.

Detailed information about the accessible services at MVV (public transport) stations can be found here.

Munich for All: More information and tips for a barrier-free holiday in Munich you get here.

Germany has a smoking ban in all public indoor areas along with most other western European countries.
In Munich, smoking is prohibited in public authorities, children's, youth, cultural and leisure facilities, sports facilities, beer, wine and festival tents as well as in indoor areas of restaurants, bars, clubs and comparable facilities.

Tipping is usually expected, especially if you felt the service was good. If you do tip, 10 percent of the bill is sufficient. For higher invoices, 5% is also appropriate.

The climate in Munich follows the four seasons of the northern hemisphere, but temperatures can vary considerably during the year. July and August are normally the warmest months of the year with an average temperature of 23 degrees Celcius and 73 degrees Fahrenheit. January and February are generally the coldest with an average of 2 degrees Celcius and 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, snow is not something we can guarantee each winter.

The city is also subject to the Föhn, a warm and dry southerly wind that blows northwards from Italy over the Alps which become clearly visible when this wind blows because it clears the air.

Temperatures in Munich

The average temperatures in Celcius in Munich are (month: day / night):

•    Jan: 3 / -2
•    Feb: 5 / -2
•    Mar: 10 / 1
•    Apr: 14 / 4
•    May: 18 / 8
•    Jun: 22 / 12
•    Jul: 24 / 14
•    Aug: 24 / 14
•    Sep: 19 / 10
•    Oct: 14 / 6
•    Nov: 9 / 2
•    Dec: 4 / -1

Month: day / night (everage temperatures in Fahrenheit):

•    Jan: 37,4 / 26,6
•    Feb: 41 / 28,4
•    Mar: 50 / 33,8
•    Apr: 57,2 / 39,2
•    May: 64,4 / 46,4
•    Jun: 71,6 / 53,6
•    Jul: 75,2 / 57,2
•    Aug: 75,2 / 57,2
•    Sep: 66,2 / 50
•    Oct: 57,2 / 42,8
•    Nov: 48,2 / 35,6
•    Dec: 39,2 / 30,2

You can find the current temperatures and more informationen in our city weather report.

You can navigate Munich efficiently using its extensive public transport system, which includes buses, trams, U-Bahn (subway), and S-Bahn (suburban trains).

For detailed information on routes, schedules, and ticket options, visit this link: Here you will find more about Munich's public transport.

It is not permitted to buy or drink alcohol under the age of 16. Beer, wine and sparkling wine may be drunk from the age of 16. Drinks containing spirits may only be purchased and consumed from the age of 18.

It is generally permitted to drink alcohol in public (exceptions see below) as long as the general public is not disturbed by the consumption.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on public transport.

The alcohol ban at Munich Central Station prohibits the consumption of alcohol at the station and in the surrounding streets around the clock, or the carrying of alcohol for this purpose.

Germany does not require any vaccinations for entry. However, during spring to autumn, there is a higher risk of contracting Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), which ticks transmit. Ticks are typically found in dense vegetation close to the ground, so wearing clothing that covers the body well is the best form of protection. It's advisable to consult a doctor if you are bitten by a tick.

The primary areas at risk include Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, along with some parts of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Thuringia. We suggest considering a TBE vaccine if you plan to spend considerable time in rural areas.