Germany is generally very safe for tourists and is considered one of Europe's safest countries, with low rates of violent crime. While major cities and tourist spots (especially in Berlin and Munich) have issues with petty crime like pickpocketing, travelers can securely explore with normal precautions.
There's an ongoing threat of terrorism in Germany. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. There have been multiple attacks using vehicles or knives in the last year. Be alert in public places and report suspicious activity to the police (see 'Safety').
In general, metropolitan areas in Germany are safe, however, it's still good to be wary if you're traveling around after dark. Petty theft and pick-pocketing is not uncommon, with most criminals targeting busy tourist attractions and public transport.
For tourists who are about to travel to Germany or students who are coming here to study, it is very necessary to know in advance which cities are safe and which are dangerous. Munich, Mainz, Nuremberg, Heidelberg, and Stuttgart are among the safest cities.
It described attempts to create "national liberated zones" (national befreite Zonen) in Germany: "'no-go-areas', which are areas dominated by neo-Nazis," attributing their appeal in the former DDR to "the unmet promises of modernisation and the poor socio-cultural conditions that offer no perspectives to young people".
In the evening, you are not permitted to mow lawns after 8 p.m. General evening quiet time begins at 10 p.m. All loud activities are restricted throughout all of Sunday, to include lawn mowing, car washing, loud games or music...if it can be heard outside your dwelling or vehicle, it is too loud.
The concept of Ruhezeit originates from the Grundgesetz, or basic laws, of Germany, intertwined with the country's religious traditions. Historically, Germany was a deeply religious nation, and to facilitate church attendance, the government minimized work on Sundays.
In fact, there are now some places that don't take cash at all. Be prepared for both. It's not a cheap destination, but it is possible to travel in Germany on a budget.
While it is possible to get by with just English in Germany, it is highly recommended to learn German if you plan on living there long-term. Many Germans speak English, especially in larger cities and in tourist areas, so you can usually find someone who can communicate with you in English.
Germany has travel advisories, often at a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) or similar, primarily due to persistent terrorism threats (attacks with knives, vehicles targeting crowded places), petty crime like pickpocketing, and sometimes temporary security measures like re-introduced border controls or specific regional issues, ensuring travelers stay alert for potential risks like extremist violence, theft, and new EU entry procedures.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the safest country in the world, holding the top spot on the Global Peace Index (GPI) for many years, including 2024 and 2025, due to its low crime, lack of military, political stability, and strong community focus. Other top contenders often include Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Denmark, depending on the specific report's criteria, with Singapore also ranking highly for personal safety.
Why can't you throw away glass on Sunday in Germany?
Here - just like for residential glass containers - you are expected to avoid the noisy task during "Ruhezeiten," or quiet times, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and after 8:00 pm on weekdays, as well as on Sundays and public holidays.
Don't worry, of course, you can still do your everyday routines during quiet hours in Germany. You can flush the toilet, take a bath or shower at night as usual.
It is a combination of labor (higher hourly rates outside of regular business hours) and other laws (in some areas shops may only open for a certain number of hours per week).
Generally speaking, all foreigners require a visa for stays in Germany. A visa is not required for visits of up to 90 days in an 180 day period for nationals of those countries for which the European Community has abolished the visa requirement. Indian citizens require a visa.
Oh Sunday, the best day of the week to catch up on laundry, vacuum, clean your car... except not in Germany due to “Ruhezeit.” Otherwise known as “quiet hours,” Ruhezeit is the time when you are legally obliged to keep the noise levels down.
The Domestic Work and Music Noise Ordinance generally stipulates a night-time quiet period between 10 pm and 7 am and a midday quiet period between 12 pm and 3 pm for domestic and gardening work that disturbs the peace.
Immigration was seen as the most important issue facing Germany in November 2025, selected by 24 percent of people as a problem that month. The Economy was seen by 22 percent of people in Germany as a major issue, and was the second most-common response in the most recent survey.
Gelsenkirchen, in Germany's western Ruhr area, is the poorest city in the country. Garbage lies about in the streets and parks, and vacant and derelict apartments are a frequent sight.
Knife crime has steeply risen in Germany over the past few years, with police statistics showing an almost 10% year-on-year increase in bodily assaults involving knives since 2023.
