💰 Quick Context: Germany & Cash
Germany uses the Euro (EUR / €). A restaurant meal costs €12–25, a beer €3–5 (Bavarian beer gardens are cheaper), and a hotel night €80–200. Germany is one of Western Europe's most cash-reliant countries. Many restaurants, bakeries, and shops accept only cash ("Nur Bargeld" or "Keine Kartenzahlung"). You will use ATMs and cash more often here than in France, the Netherlands, or Scandinavia.
🎧 Order Euros Before You Fly
Have euros ready for your first Späti, the Berghain queue, the Mauerpark Sunday market, or an Oktoberfest Wiesn day. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order EUR → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in Germany
Germany has a strong cash culture that surprises many visitors. While contactless payments are growing in cities, cash remains essential for everyday life across the country.
Cards work at hotels, large restaurants and chains, REWE, Edeka, Aldi, and Lidl supermarkets, department stores like Galeria Kaufhof, and large retailers. Cash is still needed at many bakeries (Bäckereien), traditional beer halls and beer gardens, small restaurants, Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte), flea markets, some cafés, and the Deutsche Bahn ticket machines that do not accept foreign cards.
Carry €100–200 in cash. Keep small bills (€5, €10, €20) since many shops will not accept €50 or €100 notes for small purchases. You will use cash more often in Germany than in most other Western European countries.
How to Get Euros for Your Germany Trip
Germany is more cash-dependent than France or Spain. You'll spend cash at bakeries, doner stands, beer gardens, Christmas markets, and Berlin's club doors. Two real options for getting euros: order them before you fly, or withdraw from a German bank ATM after you land. Most travelers do some combination, and you'll need a healthy reserve either way. (A fee-free travel card for daily card payments helps where cards work, but plan to carry €100–200 in cash at all times.)
Order euros before you fly
Two ways to get euros before takeoff. Through a currency-exchange service: CEI Currency Exchange ships euros to your home with insured 2–5 day delivery at a small rate premium, useful if you want a fast, predictable order without a branch visit. Through your home bank: Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citi can order foreign currency for branch pickup or home delivery, often free for premium account holders or a small fee otherwise. Allow 3–7 business days. Bank of America customers get a bonus: free Deutsche Bank ATM withdrawals once in Germany via the Global ATM Alliance. Either path lets you land with cash in hand. Especially valuable in Germany given how cash-heavy daily spending is, particularly at Christmas markets, beer gardens, and small bakeries.
Withdraw from a German bank ATM
Once you're in Germany, a Geldautomat at Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse, or Commerzbank gives you the real exchange rate with no markup. Bank of America customers using Deutsche Bank pay no operator fee via the Global ATM Alliance; other ATMs may charge a small operator fee (€1.95–5). Either way, your home bank may add a foreign-transaction fee on its end. Most German bank ATMs sit inside 24-hour foyers (Vorraum) you can enter by swiping any card. The cheapest method overall, but it requires confidence reading a German ATM screen and knowing to decline DCC. See the Best ATMs section below, or our Berlin ATM guide and Munich ATM guide for neighborhood-level locations. If you want the concrete fee math before deciding, drop your card into our ATM fee calculator for a side-by-side against a Wise card.
Airport counters & "0% commission" booths
Skip airport exchange counters at Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), and Berlin Brandenburg (BER); the Cardpoint, IC Cash, and Euronet machines clustered around Hauptbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, and Marienplatz; and Reisebank exchange counters at major train stations. All hide 5–15% in the exchange rate. Real bank ATMs (Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse, Commerzbank, Volksbank) are always within a 2–5 minute walk. If you're flying into Berlin, our BER airport money guide walks through the cleanest path out of arrivals.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-EUR timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Germany
Germany has an excellent banking infrastructure. Major banks operate ATMs (Geldautomaten) throughout the country with fair interbank rates and no operator surcharges. Many banks have 24-hour ATM foyers (Vorraum) accessible by swiping any card.
Deutsche Bank
Member of the Global ATM Alliance. If your home bank is a member (Bank of America, Barclays, Scotiabank, BNP Paribas, Westpac), you pay no international ATM access fee. Widely available in German cities with English-language options.
Top PickSparkasse
Germany's largest ATM network with 22,000+ ATMs. The red Sparkasse logo is visible everywhere, from major cities to small villages. Fair exchange rates for foreign cards with clearly disclosed fees.
RecommendedCommerzbank
Major bank with 7,000+ ATMs across Germany. Machines are often inside branches with English-language support. Fees are disclosed before you confirm, so you can cancel if the charge seems too high.
RecommendedVolksbank / Raiffeisenbank
Cooperative bank network with 15,000+ ATMs, especially strong in smaller towns and rural Germany. If you are traveling outside major cities, Volksbank ATMs are often the most accessible option.
RecommendedPostbank
Found inside Deutsche Post offices across Germany. Good coverage even in small towns where other banks may not have branches. Part of Deutsche Bank group, so shared ATM access may apply.
Recommended⚠ What is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)?
When an ATM offers to charge you in USD (or your home currency) instead of EUR, always decline. Choosing your home currency means accepting a 3–8% markup hidden in their exchange rate. Always select "EUR" or "local currency" at every prompt. This is the single biggest money trap for tourists using ATMs in Germany.
ATMs to Avoid in Germany
Independent ATM operators have expanded rapidly in German tourist areas. These machines charge high fees and aggressively push DCC. Always look for a recognized bank brand on the machine before inserting your card.
Euronet
Bright blue machines near tourist landmarks, train stations, and airports. Charges €1.95–4.99 per withdrawal plus an exchange rate markup of up to 13%. Aggressively pushes DCC at every step.
Avoid
Travelex
Found at Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin airports. Poor exchange rates with hidden markups of 8%+ buried in the rate. Bank ATMs are available in all German airports, so skip Travelex entirely.
AvoidCardpoint
Independent ATMs found in petrol stations, convenience stores, and shopping centers. Higher fees than bank ATMs and more likely to push DCC. If you see a Cardpoint machine, look for a nearby Sparkasse or Volksbank instead.
AvoidUnbranded / Standalone ATMs
Any ATM without a recognized German bank logo. These are run by independent operators with high commissions and unfavorable rates. Look for Sparkasse (red), Volksbank (blue/orange), or any major bank name instead.
AvoidPaying by Card in Germany
Card Networks
Girocard (EC-Karte) is Germany's dominant debit card system, used by nearly all German businesses. International visitors cannot use Girocard, but most terminals that display the EC logo also accept Visa and Mastercard. Some very small businesses only accept Girocard and cash. American Express has limited acceptance outside hotels and large chains. Discover has very limited acceptance.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless is growing but not universal. Tap-to-pay works at REWE, Edeka, Aldi, Lidl, dm, and larger restaurants in Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. Apple Pay and Google Pay function at NFC terminals. However, many smaller bakeries, traditional beer halls (Augustiner Keller, Hofbräuhaus), and cafés still do not accept contactless. "Nur Bargeld" (cash only) signs are common.
Where Cards May Not Work
Bakeries (Bäckereien): many neighbourhood bakeries across Germany are cash-only, even in Berlin and Munich. Traditional beer halls and beer gardens: classic spots like Augustiner Keller (Munich) and many neighbourhood Kneipen (pubs) are cash-only. Christmas markets: Glühwein stands, Bratwurst stalls, and handicraft vendors at all major Weihnachtsmärkte are almost entirely cash. Flea markets: cash only. Deutsche Bahn ticket machines: some do not accept non-European cards, though the DB Navigator app works with international cards.
Tipping in Germany
Tipping Guide
At restaurants, 5–10% is standard. The German way is to tell the server the total amount you want to pay (say "Stimmt so" for "keep the change," or state the total, e.g., "Zwanzig" for €20 on a €17.50 bill). At cafés, round up to the nearest euro. Taxis: round up or add €1–2. Hotel porters: €1–2 per bag. Housekeeping: €1–2 per night (optional). Tips are almost always given in cash, even when paying the bill by card. Do not add tip to the card payment since it may not reach the server.
Berlin, Munich & Beyond: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
For city-specific tips, see our Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt money guides. Each covers neighborhood-level card acceptance, ATM locations, transport payments, and local spending tips.
Germany's cash culture is changing, but slowly. Berlin is the most card-friendly German city (especially in Kreuzberg and Mitte). Munich's tourist infrastructure accepts cards at most restaurants and hotels, but the beer halls and markets remain cash-heavy. Hamburg and Frankfurt are somewhere in between.
Christmas markets are almost entirely cash-only across the country, from Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt to the Cologne Weihnachtsmarkt. Bring €50–100 per market visit for Glühwein, Bratwurst, and gifts. Pfand (deposit system): Germany has a bottle deposit system. You pay €0.08–0.25 extra per bottle, refundable at reverse vending machines in supermarkets. Keep your bottles.
Deutsche Bahn: the DB Navigator app accepts international cards for train tickets. At station machines, some do not accept non-European cards. Buy tickets via the app to avoid this issue. Germany is a eurozone member, so if you already have euros from another country, you do not need to withdraw at all.
Money Safety in Germany
Staying Safe
Use ATMs inside Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Sparkasse, or Volksbank branches or their 24-hour foyers (Vorraum). Avoid standalone machines near train stations and tourist areas in Berlin (especially around Alexanderplatz) and Munich (near Hauptbahnhof).
Pickpocketing occurs at busy train stations, on S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains, and at Christmas markets. Keep your wallet in a front pocket and bags zipped. Germany is very safe overall, but Berlin's crowded transit system and Munich's Oktoberfest are pickpocket hotspots.
Germany is a well-known EU destination, so most card issuers do not flag German transactions. DCC prompts appear at some Euronet ATMs near tourist sites. Always select "EUR" and decline any conversion offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Germany so cash-dependent?
Germany has a deep cultural preference for cash rooted in privacy concerns and historical distrust of debt. The Girocard (EC) debit system dominates local payments, and many businesses find it cheaper to accept cash than pay card processing fees. This is slowly changing, especially in Berlin and among younger businesses.
Do Christmas markets accept cards?
Almost never. Glühwein stands, Bratwurst vendors, and handicraft stalls at all major German Christmas markets (Nürnberg, Cologne, Dresden, Munich) are cash-only. Bring €50–100 per market visit.
What is Girocard / EC-Karte?
Girocard (formerly EC-Karte) is Germany's domestic debit card system, used by nearly all Germans. International visitors cannot use it. Most businesses that accept Girocard also accept Visa and Mastercard, but some very small shops only take Girocard and cash.
How much cash should I carry in Germany?
€100–200 is a good amount to have on hand. You will use cash at bakeries, beer halls, markets, and many smaller restaurants. Keep small bills (€5, €10, €20) since many shops refuse €50 and €100 notes.
Is tipping expected in Germany?
Yes, but less than in the US. 5–10% is standard at restaurants. Tell the server the total you want to pay ("Stimmt so" for keep the change). Always tip in cash, even when paying by card.
What is the Pfand bottle deposit?
Germany charges a €0.08–0.25 deposit on most bottles and cans. Return them to reverse vending machines (Pfandautomat) at any supermarket to get your deposit back as a receipt redeemable at the register.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend euros like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bank ATMs (Global ATM Alliance) | Free (for alliance members) | ★★★★☆ | Bank of America / Barclays customers |
| Major Bank ATMs (Sparkasse, Volksbank, Commerzbank) | Low (€0–5 ATM fee + fair rate) | ★★★★★ | Most travelers |
| Independent ATMs (Euronet, Cardpoint) | Very High (fees + up to 13% rate markup) | ★★★☆☆ | Emergencies only |
| Credit Cards (no foreign fee) | Very Low for purchases | ★★★☆☆ | Where accepted (limited) |
| Airport / Currency Exchange Kiosks | Very High (large markup fees) | ★★☆☆☆ | Not recommended |
Germany Quick Facts
| Currency | Euro (EUR / €) |
| Cash Culture | Very high. Many businesses are cash-only. Always carry cash |
| Typical ATM Limit | €300–500 per withdrawal |
| Card Acceptance | Limited compared to other EU countries. Cash preferred at many businesses |
| Tipping | 5–10% at restaurants. Say "Stimmt so" (keep the change) |
| DCC Risk | High at Euronet/Cardpoint ATMs near train stations and landmarks. Always choose EUR |
| Best ATM Tip | Deutsche Bank for Global ATM Alliance members; otherwise Sparkasse (22,000+ ATMs) |
Germany City Guides
Neighborhood-level money guides for Germany's biggest cities. Where to find ATMs, which areas need cash, how to pay for transport, and more.
Germany money toolkit
Deep-dive guides for specific banks, airports, and traveler nationalities in Germany. Each one builds on this overview with card-by-card fee math, exact ATM locations, or terminal-by-terminal directions.