Germany

Germany has a temperate climate, which is characterized by the transition from the Western European maritime climate to the Eastern European continental climate. In the North German Plain and on the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts, summers are pleasantly warm and winters are relatively mild. In more southerly and easterly regions, the temperature differences between the seasons can be significantly greater. The warmest months in Germany usually fall between June and September with average temperatures of 21 to 25 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperatures are measured in January. Most rainy days occur in winter, but showers can also be frequent in summer, especially in the mountainous regions.

Germany's gross domestic product per capita in 2023 amounted to 48,750 euros. The Gini coefficient of wealth describes the distribution of wealth. The indicator is an established, internationally comparable measure of wealth inequality. It is measured on a scale from zero to one. The higher the value, the greater the inequality. The Gini coefficient in Germany was 0.29 in 2022 (source: Statista).

Germany is one of the countries with one of the highest standards of living in the world. According to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) for 2021, Germany ranks 9th out of 191 countries. With a population of over 83 million people, it is the most populous country in the European Union and is one of the most densely populated countries. Around 77 percent of the population live in areas with a high or medium population density. Around 30 percent of the population live in large cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, of which there are 80 in Germany. The cities have a great attraction for travelers, with Berlin in particular attracting many visitors and continuously setting new records for overnight stays. Compared to other European cities, the metropolis with 3.8 million inhabitants ranks third in absolute overnight stays, behind London and Paris.

In principle, entry into Germany is only possible with a valid identity document, which must be valid for at least three months at the time of the planned departure from Germany and should have been issued within the last 10 years. If necessary, documents must be presented that prove the purpose of the stay and the circumstances of the stay. In addition, it may be necessary to prove that sufficient financial means are available to cover living expenses during the stay and to finance the return journey. The amount of funds required depends on the type and duration of the stay; there are no fixed daily rates.

It is recommended that you take out health insurance before your trip, which also covers transportation back to your home country. Foreigners who are not nationals of an EU/EEA country must note that, in the case of multiple entries and longer stays, the stay in the Schengen area is limited to a maximum of 90 days per 180-day period. For longer stays, e.g. to study or work, other regulations often apply. There is no legal entitlement to enter the Schengen area. The responsible border control points of the Schengen states check the entry requirements in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code and decide whether to grant or refuse entry.