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Money & duty free for Germany

Currency information: 

Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Cheques are very rarely used.

Credit cards: 

These are widely accepted in most shops, petrol stations, restaurants and hotels. All major credit cards are accepted, but it is advisable to carry cash as well.

Travellers cheques: 

Generally provide the best rate of exchange. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars. Visitors are advised to have their traveller's cheques exchanged at bureaux de change as banks often refuse to change them and they are not accepted as payment in stores.

Banking hours: 

Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1300 and 1400-1600, Thurs 0830-1300 and 1430-1730 in main cities. Main branches do not close for lunch. Bureaux de change in airports and main railway stations are open 0600-2200.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Currency exchange: 

Foreign currencies and traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change, post offices, airports, railway stations, ports and major hotels at the official exchange rates.

Germany duty free

Germany is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.

Büsingen and the Isle of Heligoland are treated as being outside of the EU for the Duty Free section. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into the Federal Republic of Germany by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits with an alcohol content exceeding 22% by volume or 2L of spirits or liqueurs with an alcohol content not exceeding 22% by volume or 2L of sparkling or liqueur wine.
• 2L of any other wine.
• 50g of perfume or 250mL of eau de toilette.
• 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extracts.
• Personal goods to the value of €175.

(a) The tobacco and alcohol allowances are granted only to those over 17 years of age. (b) Wine in excess of the above allowances imported for personal consumption and valued at less than €128 will be taxed at an overall rate of 16%.

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