Citizens of the EU
EU nationals do not require a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany.
Non-EU citizens
All Non-EU citizens require a visa. However, 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.
You may apply for short stay visas (Schengen Visas) at diplomatic missions of the German Federal Foreign Office.
Please also visit the homepage of "Auswärtiges Amt" to find a detailed table of all countries requiring a visa and also more information about visa regulations, as well as a list of German diplomatic missions around the world.
An invitation letter for the purpose of obtaining a travel visa or permission to attend the meeting will be handed out on request after successful registration for the congress.
Please check www.weather.com for up-to-date weather forecasts in the city that you are travelling to.
As in most countries of the European Union, the official currency is the Euro (€).
Please note that there are no general bank hours in Germany. Most banks are open in the morning hours and just a few hours in the afternoon or early evening.
Major credit cards are accepted at most cash points (ATM machines), stores, restaurants and hotels.
English is spoken by the staff of most hotels, restaurants and shops.
Germany's international pre-dial is +49 (0049).
Public places like airports, universities, libraries, restaurants and cafés may offer "free"-WiFi Hotspots.
The electrical power supply in Germany is 220v, 50 Hz, AC.
Official plugs in Germany are:
"Schukostecker" (round) Type F/ CEE 7/4
"Eurostecker" (flat) Type C/ CEE 7/16
Germany's standard time zone is UTC/GMT +1 hour.
All visitors are advised to have valid international insurance before coming to Germany. Citizens of the EU are insured with their EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).