Germany travel guide for the Irish

Irish citizens do not need a visa for Germany. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, business or family visits. Your passport just needs to be valid for the whole stay. There is no requirement for a minimum validity period beyond that for Irish citizens, but check before you travel.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch in 2026. Once live, Irish citizens will need an online authorisation before flying to Germany or any Schengen country. It is not required yet, so you can travel now without it. Watch for official announcements.

Ireland is in the EU, so you travel to Germany under free movement rules. You do not need a visa, and there is no registration requirement for stays under 90 days. For longer stays, such as work or study, you need to register with the local foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) after arrival.

Carry your passport or national ID card. Border checks can happen, especially at airports, so have your documents ready. If you are travelling with children, bring their own passport or ID card.

The Embassy of Ireland in Berlin is the main contact for Irish citizens in Germany. It provides consular assistance, passport services and emergency help. For urgent issues outside office hours, call the embassy and follow the recorded instructions.

There are honorary consulates in other German cities, but they offer limited services. For emergencies, the embassy in Berlin is your first point of contact. Save the number before you travel.

Germany is a mid-priced European destination. A budget traveller can manage on €70–90 a day with hostels, street food and public transport. A mid-range traveller should plan for €120–160 a day for a hotel, restaurant meals and occasional taxis. In cities like Munich and Frankfurt, costs run higher.

Flights from Dublin to Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg or Düsseldorf are frequent and often cheap, especially with low-cost carriers. Train travel within Germany is efficient but can be pricey if booked last minute; book ahead for savings.

Direct flights from Dublin to Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg and Düsseldorf take about 2 to 2.5 hours. Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Lufthansa and others operate these routes. From Cork or Shannon, you may need a connection through Dublin or a European hub.

Flight times are short, so you can easily do a weekend trip. Book early for the best fares, especially for summer and the Christmas markets. Use a flight-time planner to compare options from your home city.

Germany uses the same plugs as Ireland: types C and F, with two round pins. The voltage is 230 V, the same as Ireland, so your devices will work without a converter. You may need an adapter if your Irish plug has three rectangular pins, but most modern chargers are dual-voltage and fit the sockets.

Bring a universal adapter if you have devices with non-European plugs. Power is reliable, and USB charging points are common in hotels and cafés.

Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. The custom is to round up the bill or add 5–10% for good service, and to say the total amount to the server when paying, rather than leaving cash on the table. For example, if the bill is €18.50, say '20' and hand over €20.

In restaurants, a tip of 5–10% is standard. For taxis, round up to the nearest euro. Hotel porters and housekeeping are not expected to be tipped, though a small amount is welcome. In bars, rounding up is fine.

In an emergency, dial 112 for fire and ambulance, and 110 for police. These numbers are free from any phone, including mobiles. For non-urgent medical help, call 116 117 to reach an out-of-hours doctor.

Pharmacies (Apotheke) are widely available and can advise on minor ailments. For serious issues, go to a hospital emergency department. Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers necessary medical treatment in Germany, so carry it with you.