Going to Germany for the 1st time.
 

I'm going to Germany for the 1st time in october and I was reading on the embassy web site that you need proof of health insurance, and a copy of a bank statement. It does not say whether you only need this to get a visa or just to enter the country. Any help would be great.

What is your citizenship? How long will you be staying in Germany?

this sounds more like a requirement for staying longer than 3 months, the amount of time a tourist automatically gets when entering the EU - still could be technically required of any tourist but unless you look like a bum who may end up on the dole no problems. I've entered Germany maybe 100 times and never have been asked for proof of insurance or funds.
I wouldn't worry about this a bit if you're just going to be an average tourist.

We went to Germany for the first time last month and didn't need to show anything other than our passports upon entry. We are Americans and were only staying a couple weeks, so no visa was required. We did have our medical cards with us in case anything were to happen, but we didn't have to show them to the immigration officers.

U.S citizenship, I'm only going for a week.

Passport, maybe an International drivers license to use as a form of ID. (not that you would get pulled over!)

Yes, it probably depends how long you stay. I did get an International Drivers Licence and I think you should just to be sure, but when I hired a car and showed this, they just wanted my Australian Divers Licence anyway. I bought my airfare on Mastercard and in Australia, it meant I got travel insurance as well, so my medical was covered.

Dicky,
I moved to Germany last year and those items were needed for our visas, but I am positive you don't need them just for a short visit.

An International Driving Permit (called a "license" in some places) is not actually a license. It is a translation of your driving license into several languages. It is not required in Germany. It is required by law in Italy and Austria.

Rental car companies (even in Italy and Austria) probably won't care if you have an IDP--all they want is money and your regular driving license.

I got an IDP for our trip because we were going to Austria for a few days. I didn't get pulled over so I never had to show it to anyone (good thing because I look pretty loopy in the picture - LOL).

PalQ,

I don't know how to reach you, but since you recently posted on this site, maybe you will see my posting. I have set up some of my website, at www.geocities.com/reise_deutschland. Contact me at [email protected].

I go to Germany every year and all you need is your passport and an international drivers licence.

Let me state more strongly what Rufus T Firefly* began to say. An IDP or IDL, by itself, does not give you legal permission to drive in ANY country. It is not a license in any way, shape, or form; and does not claim to be. It is a statement, in several languages, that you possess a license to drive in your home country. Without your actual driver's license, and IDP is completely worthless. You MUST show your actual license when renting a car in almost every country. Some countries, and some car rental companies, similarly require an IDP to drive or rent a car. But ALL require your actual driver's license. Do NOT take only an IDL!


* BTW, Rufus, I happen to know what movie character your nick comes from -- he's one of my favorites!!!

Cabinet Member: The Department of Labor wishes to note that the workers of Freedonia are demanding shorter hours.
Rufus T. Firefly: Very well, we'll give them shorter hours. We'll start by cutting their lunch hour to 20 minutes.