Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
an on-the-spot fine. Jaywalking is also illegal and
you can be fined if caught.
TOP 10 FREE OR ALMOST
FREE BERLIN EXPERIENCES
Berlin Wall Memorial See p.12
Cycling the Tiergarten See p.101
East Side Gallery See p.130
Flea market browsing See p.232
Holocaust Memorial See p.38
Picnicking in Sanssouci See p.169
The Reichstag See p.37
Sachsenhausen See p.174
Sightseeing for free on buses #100
and #200 See p.25
Tränenpalast See p.84
Electricity
Supply runs at 220-240V, 50Hz AC; sockets generally
require a two-pin plug with rounded prongs. Visitors
from the UK will need an adaptor , and those from
North America may need a transformer, though
most portable electrical equipment - like cameras,
laptops and mobile phones - are designed to
accommodate a range of voltages.
Entry requirements
British and other EU nationals can enter Germany
on a valid passport or national identity card for an
indefinite period. US, Canadian, Australian and
New Zealand citizens do not need a visa to enter
Germany, and are allowed a stay of ninety days
within any six-month period. South Africans need
to apply for a visa, from the German Embassy in
Pretoria (see below), which will cost around
ZAR260 depending on the exchange rate. Visa
requirements vary for nationals of other countries;
contact your local German embassy or consulate
for information.
In order to extend a stay once in the country you
must contact the nearest Bürgeramt (Citizens'
O ce) to register your address, and then make an
email appointment with the Ausländerbehörde
(Alien Authority), Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24;
U-Amrumer Strasse ( E abh@labo.berlin.de). Full
guidance is provided at W berlin.de, though all the
relevant info is in German only.
Crime and personal safety
Crime in Berlin is very modest in comparison with
other European cities of equal size, and if tourists
encounter it at all it will most likely be petty crime
such as pickpocketing or bag-snatching in one of
the main shopping precincts.
As far as personal safety is concerned, most parts
of the city centre are safe enough. Use common
sense, but bear in mind that even the “rougher”
neighbourhoods (say, eastern Kreuzberg or
Friedrichshain) feel more dangerous than they
actually are: the run-down U-Bahn stations at
Kottbusser Tor and Görlitzer Bahnhof (both in largely
immigrant districts), or S-Bahn stations Warschauer
Strasse and Ostkreuz, look alarming when compared
to the rest of the system, but wouldn't stand out in
many other European cities. The situation in suburbs
is a little trickier, with immigrant gangs flexing their
muscles in the western half of the city and neo-Nazi
thugs an issue in the east. With caution it's fine, but
all the same it's wise to be wary in suburbs like
Lichtenberg , Marzahn, Wedding or Neukölln ,
where muggings and casual violence do occur,
particularly to those who stand out.
If you do have something stolen (or simply lose
something), or suffer an attack you'll need to
register the details and obtain an o cial statement
( Anzeige ) at the local police station: a straightfor-
ward, but inevitably bureaucratic and time-
consuming process. Note the crime report number
- or, better still, get a copy of the statement itself -
for your insurance company.
The two offences you might unwittingly commit
concern identity papers and jaywalking . By law
you need to carry proof of your identity at all times.
A driver's licence or ID card is fine, but a passport is
best. It's essential that you carry all your documen-
tation when driving - failure to do so may result in
GERMAN EMBASSIES ABROAD
Australia 119 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, Canberra 2600
T 02 6270 1911, W canberra.diplo.de.
Canada 1 Waverley St, Ottawa, ON K2P 0T8 T 613 232 1101,
W ottawa.diplo.de.
Ireland 31 Trimelston Ave, Booterstown, Blackrock, Co Dublin
T 01 269 3011, W dublin.diplo.de.
New Zealand 90-92 Hobson St, 6011 Wellington T 04 473 6063,
W wellington.diplo.de.
South Africa 180 Blackwood St, Arcadia, Pretoria 0083 T 012 427
8900, W pretoria.diplo.de.
UK 23 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PZ T 020 7824 1300,
W london.diplo.de.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Fire and ambulance T 112
Police T 110
 
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