Good to Know ...

Public Holidays

On the following nationwide public holidays (non-working days) the public administration, schools, kindergartens, and shops are closed: 
January 01:      New Year's Day
May 01:            May Day, Labour Day
October 03:      German Unity Day
Dezember 25:   Christmas Day
Dezember 26:   Boxing Day

Additionally, German Federal States have individual public holidays.

• Overview of public holidays in Hessen

Separation of Waste

Separation of waste is an important issue in Germany, most materials are recycled. 
For an overview of how to recycle correctly, please click here. 

Electricity

A voltage of 230 volts and a frequency of 50 cycles per second is used in Germany. Electronic devices need a European plug type C or F. You can use an adapter for electronic devices bought abroad. 

Time Zone / Wintertime and Summertime

Germany is in the Central European Time Zone. Germany is GMT/UTC + 1h during Standard Time and GMT/UTC + 2h during Daylight Saving Time ("summer time"). Germany starts Daylight Saving Time on the last Sunday in March (clocks are put forward for 1 hour) and ends Daylight Saving Time on the last Sunday in October (clocks are turned back for one hour). The idea behind this is to make optimal use of daylight.