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LIVING IN GERMANY

8 things you need to know if you are staying in Germany this summer

Germany is a great place to be in the months of July and August, but daily life can be impacted. From restricted services to empty cities and ticks, we look at what you should know about the summer months.

People enjoy summer sun at the Starnberger See in Percha, Bavaria.
People enjoy summer sun at the Starnberger See in Percha, Bavaria. Photo: Peter Kneffel

Although Germany is not a traditional summer holiday destination, it’s still popular thanks to the good weather, beautiful nature and culture-filled cities. 

So what can you expect if you’re staying in the country this summer?

Cities can empty out

Many Germans choose to go on holiday during the months of July and August when schools are off to destinations such as Austria, Italy and Spain. 

But lots of people choose to take a break in Germany itself and head to stunning spots such as Könnigsee in Bavaria or the Baltic or North Sea coast.

As people flock abroad or to these nature spots, busy cities can end up having a rather tranquil feel to them. This can be the best time to make the most of city parks and get some good ice cream without the queues you usually have to deal with. 

But tourist spots will be busy 

The tourism industry has ramped up again after the Covid pandemic. This is good news for local economies but it can be slightly annoying if you were hoping for a quiet day out. There’s no getting around this but you can try and plan timings carefully. When going to a very touristy area, arrive earlier or later to beat the crowds. 

If you’re driving, you’ll find traffic can be heavy on the roads in summer particularly on the weekends after schools break up. In Germany, federal states have their own differing timetables for when schools take their break. Check them out in our story here:

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Germany in July 2023

Brandenburg Gate in berlin

Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jonathan Penschek

Services can stop 

Day-to-day services can be impacted because of people taking their holidays in the summer months.

For instance, your doctor or dentist might be away for a few weeks or even a whole month (August is a very popular time for Germans to do that). If you have a chronic condition that requires regular health visits, it’s worth asking your health practice if it will be closed at all so you can get a back-up plan in place. Some doctors will have another professional cover for them, while others might direct you to a hospital in an emergency. 

Similarly, if you have a repeat prescription, get stocked up to make sure you’re not caught out during the summer months.

In general, public service slows down in Germany during the summer months. That means it could be even harder to set up things like visa appointments, registering your address or getting in touch with the tax office. If you need anything done quickly, get plans in place as soon as possible. 

Shops and stores can close at short notice

Independent shops, bars, cafes and other establishments often close their doors to give staff some time off, while some operate with reduced hours during summer. This is something that you usually stumble upon at short notice. For instance, you could find a local shop is closed suddenly with a sign on the door that says “Sommerurlaub bis August 18th” (summer holiday until August 18th).

Similarly, if it gets too hot, some venues declare a “Hitzefrei” (literally – “heat free”) day, meaning they think it’s too hot to work. Your only option is: come back another day! 

Lakes and beer gardens are packed

Germans love to enjoy the summer weather with a swim or beer (or both!). On a sunny weekend afternoon you’ll find it difficult to get a spot at the lakeside unless you get there early. Beer gardens are also packed out with revellers making the most of light-filled days. 

The winter is a long one in Germany so we thoroughly advise you make like the Germans and spend lots of time outdoors during the summer. 

READ ALSO: ‘Go early and stay late’: Your tips for making the most of Germany’s lakes

People will be naked

If you do go to a lake then be prepared to see some nudity. Stripping off is nothing unusual in Germany. 

This is the country of FKK – Freikörperkultur – a movement that translates to free body culture.

FKK comes to life in summer when you’ll find designated spots at beaches around lakes or the sea, and even parks, such as the Englischer Garten in Munich and Tiergarten in Berlin. 

The general etiquette is simple: don’t stare and don’t take photos or videos. If there’s an FKK sign then be aware that you may be required to take your clothes off. If that’s not for you, head to the part of the beach where people are wearing their swimsuits and speedos.

A sign for an FKK beach in Saxony-Anhalt.

A sign for an FKK beach in Saxony-Anhalt. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Matthias Bein

Watch out for ticks

When you’re out and about in Germany over summer, you should be aware that you’ll come face-to-face with bugs, such as mosquitoes and wasps. 

But a more serious one to watch out for is ticks as they can carry dangerous diseases. For summer 2023, the whole of Germany has been classified as a risk area for tick-born encephalitis (TBE) by the Robert Koch Institute.

Some of the worst areas are known to be the northern slopes of the Erzgebirge, the Bavarian Forest, and the Alpine foothills. But ticks can appear anywhere. They generally live in long grass, bushes and wooded areas.

There is a vaccination against TBE, which is worth considering for those planning an outdoor holiday in Germany. Ask your doctor for more information.

A non-dangerous but very annoying part of living in Germany in summer is the fruit flies. These little flies can infest your kitchen if you’re not careful. Keep on top of cleaning, don’t leave food out and take out your bins often to keep these guys from taking over. 

READ ALSO:

Public transport can be less reliable 

Summer is a time when authorities plan construction and maintenance work. For instance, rail operator Deutsche Bahn is carrying out a major programme in North Rhine-Westphalia this summer to upgrade rail tracks. 

Keep an eye out for Ersatzverkehr (replacement) transport if a train service is out and factor that into your day – it usually means that the journey takes a lot longer than usual. 

READ ALSO: The train routes in North Rhine-Westphalia that will be closed this summer

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INSIDE GERMANY

Inside Germany: ‘Ampel’ makeover and can Euro 2024 bring Germans together?

From how the Euros are providing a sense of relief in Germany amid heightened tensions to a traffic light transformation in Frankfurt and lucky chimney sweeps, here's what we've been talking about this week.

Inside Germany: 'Ampel' makeover and can Euro 2024 bring Germans together?

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

The Euros are bringing Germans together – but tension remains 

Whichever way you look at it, it’s been a turbulent few years. In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sparking forced migration, an energy crisis and fears over war spreading in Europe. 

In Germany, the cost of living crisis has been gripping residents for years, resulting in increased strike action and protests. Meanwhile, the economy has tanked, support for the coalition government is falling dramatically, division remains over war in the Middle East and the the far-right has climbed in the polls. At the recent European parliament elections, Alternative for Germany (AfD) took second position in the national vote. 

READ ALSO: What do Germany’s far-right gains in EU elections mean for foreigners?

With these unresolved issues, you might think that Germany would struggle to come together to organise the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament this summer.

But so far, Deutschland has been a fantastic host.

The scenes of fans from different countries gathering in German cities and mixing with locals have been joyous to see. 

Games and logistical matters are taking place without any major problems (at least most of the time).

Hammering Scotland 5-1 in the opening game may have brought Germans a much needed boost. Seeing residents from all walks of life huddle around TVs on streets or attend fan zones to cheer on their team has felt like something we’ve all needed after such heavy years. 

Perhaps if the German team goes far, it will unite people even more. 

But the tension is still around. 

A recent survey by broadcaster WDR’s Sport Inside, found that one in five respondents would prefer if the German national team had more “white” players, highlighting racist attitudes. 

It comes after German partygoers were filmed singing “foreigners out!” on the holiday island of Sylt. 

The Euros are providing much-needed light relief in Germany right now – but football won’t fix everything. 

Frankfurt Ampelmann gets makeover

Football figures on the traffic lights in Frankfurt to celebrate Euro 2024.

Football figures on the traffic lights in Frankfurt to celebrate Euro 2024. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Andreas Arnold

Football fever is gripping the nation – and Frankfurt has updated its traffic lights or Ampeln to to celebrate

Anyone walking through central Frankfurt might spot the Ampelmann (traffic light man) giving a red card or kicking the ball – depending on the colour. 

German cities are known for their unusual traffic light figures. 

The most famous are the Ampelmännchen (little traffic light men) in Berlin. These were first created in what was then East Berlin back in 1961 and now appear on various traffic lights in the centre of the German capital. 

Germany in Focus

In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, we talk about our highlights of Euro 2024 so far, why the German coalition is hanging by a thread, the postal system reform, how offices are preparing for the German citizenship law changes and the German vocabulary you need to watch football. 

Lucky chimney sweeps

My building recently received a visit from a lovely Schornsteinfeger (chimney sweep) to check our boilers were in working order. 

It reminded me that seeing a chimney sweep is meant to bring good luck in Germany. 

That’s because they traditionally came to homes to clean out chimneys, removing soot and dirt, which would help ward off the possibility of fires (as well as unwanted evil spirits). 

A chimney sweep on a roof on Maulbronn, Baden-Württemberg in 2023.

A chimney sweep on a roof on Maulbronn, Baden-Württemberg in 2023. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Bernd Weißbrod

They may not actually be going into chimneys and getting covered in soot these days but they’re still providing maintenance and checking on various heating systems which can only be a Glücksbringer (lucky charm).

You’re supposed to get even more luck if you touch a chimney sweep – for example by shaking their hand or twisting one of their silver buttons – but you should probably ask them first. 

If you see a Schornsteinfeger on New Year’s Day or on your wedding day it’s meant to be even luckier.

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