Short answer: the bag that matters is your hand luggage: passport with visa, admission letter, blocked-account confirmation, insurance certificate and original certificates. Everything else can be bought in Germany. Bring type C/F plug adapters, money for the first month, and leave out meat and dairy products: they are not allowed into the EU from outside. Choose your options below, tick items off, and download your list as a PDF.
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What not to pack
- Meat, milk and dairy products (including ghee, paneer and sweets made with milk) from outside the EU: banned in personal luggage and taken away at the airport, possibly with a fine.
- Cash of €10,000 or more without declaring it to customs on arrival. This includes other currencies and cheques. Below that, no declaration is needed.
- Power banks in checked luggage: keep them in your hand luggage.
- Things that are cheap in Germany: big kitchen sets, bedding for the whole year, toiletries. They take weight you need for documents and clothes.
Plugs and power
Germany uses type C and F sockets at 230 V, 50 Hz. Chargers for phones and laptops normally accept 100–240 V, so you only need a plug adapter. Check the label on anything else (hair dryers, kitchen gadgets) before you pack it.
Next: put your arrival dates into the arrival planner, and print the 90-day pack for your hand luggage.
Common questions
Can I bring ghee or paneer to Germany?
No. Meat, milk and dairy products from outside the EU are not allowed in personal luggage, including ghee, paneer and milk sweets.
How much cash can I bring to Germany?
Any amount, but €10,000 or more (including other currencies and cheques) must be declared to customs when you enter the EU.
What plug adapter do I need for Germany?
Type C/F. Germany uses 230 V at 50 Hz; most phone and laptop chargers work with just an adapter.
Sources
- Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture: meat, milk and dairy from non-EU countries
- European Commission: EU cash controls, €10,000 declaration
- IEC: World plugs (Germany type C/F, 230 V)