Shoestring Traveler Blog Network

Macau SAR Consular Information Sheet
October 17, 2007

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:  Macau, formerly a Chinese territory under
Portuguese administration, became a Special Administrative Region (SAR)
of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on December 20, 1999. The SAR
maintains a high degree of autonomy, except in the areas of defense and
foreign policy. Macau retains its own currency, laws, and border
controls. Facilities for tourism are well developed. Gambling, tourism,
and textile and apparel manufacturing are the largest sectors in Macau’s
economy. With a population of approximately 508,500, Macau covers a 28.2
square-kilometer area including the peninsula of Macau, connected to the
PRC, and the two islands of Taipa and Coloane linked by a highway 2.2 km
long. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Macau for
additional information.
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LEBANON Travel Warning
October 17, 2007

This Travel Warning updates information on security threats and ongoing political tensions in Lebanon, and advises U.S. citizens of current safety and security concerns. The Department of State continues strongly to urge that Americans defer travel to Lebanon and that American citizens in Lebanon consider carefully the risks of remaining. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued on June 14, 2007.

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Currently testing new platform and features on the Shoestring Traveler Blog Network. We have added the following categories: Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean & Atlantic, Central America, Europe, Middle East, North and South America. Future Shoestring Traveler bloggers will have their respective blog based out of the category that corresponds with their geographic location.

French Guiana Consular Information Sheet
September 04, 2007

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: French Guiana is an overseas department of France.  It is a sparsely populated tropical area located on the northern coast of South America.  French is the predominant language; English is not widely spoken.  Tourist facilities are available, especially in the larger cities such as Cayenne and Kourou, but in some instances are not highly developed.

Customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes.  ATA Carnet Headquarters , located at the U.S. Council for International Business , 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States.  For additional information call (212) 354-4480, e-mail atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit www.uscib.org for details.

Please see our Customs Information .

CRIMINAL PENALTIES:  While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.  Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.  Persons violating French laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in French Guiana are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.  Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.  Please see our information on Criminal Penalties . 

CHILDREN’S ISSUES:  For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues web site.

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION:  Americans living or traveling in French Guiana are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site and to obtain updated information on travel and security within French Guiana . Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.  The nearest U.S. Embassy is located in neighboring Suriname in the capital city Paramaribo at Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, telephone (011) (597) 472-900, web site http://paramaribo.usembassy.gov/.  There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in French Guiana.  The Consular Section hours of operation for routine American citizen services are Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, or by appointment, except on American and Surinamese holidays.  U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance evenings, weekends, and holidays may contact an Embassy duty officer by cell phone at (011) (597) 088-08302. 

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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 14, 2006 to update the section on Crime and Registration/Embassy Location.

Armenia Consular Information Sheet
August 31, 2007COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:  Armenia is a constitutional republic with a developing economy.  Tourist facilities, especially outside Yerevan, the capital, are not highly developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries may be difficult to obtain.  Read the Department of State’s Background Notes on Armenia for additional information.

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Sudan Consular Information Sheet
August 31, 2007

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:  Sudan is a diverse, developing country in northeastern Africa.  The capital city is Khartoum.  The civil war between the northern and southern regions ended in 2005.  A multi-party conflict continues in the west in Darfur, and the armed Ugandan group known as The Lord’s Resistance Army is present in the south.  Security conditions are adverse in these and some other regions.  Transportation networks and other forms of infrastructure are poor and do not meet western standards.  Even where available, water and electric services suffer frequent outages.  Read the Department of State Background Notes on Sudan  for additional information.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:  The Government of Sudan requires all travelers to present a passport and an entry visa.  Most travelers must obtain the entry visa before arrival; only American citizens who also possess a Sudanese national identification document (such as a Sudanese passport or national identification card) may apply for an entry visa at Khartoum International Airport.  The Government of Sudan routinely denies visas to travelers whose passports contain visas issued by the Government of Israel or other evidence of travel to Israel such as exit or entry stamps.  Travelers must obtain an exit visa before departure from Sudan as well as pay any airport departure tax not included in the traveler’s airline ticket.  Visitors may obtain the latest information and further details from the Embassy of Sudan, 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC  20008, tel: 202-338-8565.

Travel permits issued by the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) or by the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) are not adequate for entry to the country, although travelers may find these documents useful to present to local authorities when in the south.    

Personal baggage, including computers, is routinely searched on arrival to and departure from Sudan.  The authorities will seize material deemed objectionable, such as alcohol or pornography, and may detain or arrest the traveler. Travelers intending to bring electronic items should inquire about entry requirements when they apply for a visa; restrictions apply to many devices, including video cameras, satellite phones, facsimile machines, televisions, and telephones.  Travelers are not allowed to depart Sudan with ivory, some other animal products, or large quantities of gold. 

All visitors must register with the authorities within three days of arrival.  Travelers must obtain police permission before moving to another location in Sudan, and must register again with the police within 24 hours of arrival.  The government requires separate travel permits for specific areas of the country, including Darfur.  These regulations are strictly enforced and even travelers with proper documentation may expect delay or temporary detention from the security forces, especially outside the capital.  Authorities expect travelers to strictly respect roadblocks and other checkpoints.       

Travelers who wish to take any photographs must obtain a photography permit from the Government of Sudan, Ministry of Interior, Department of Aliens. 

Visit the Embassy of Sudan web site for the most current visa information.

See more information pertaining to dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction.  Please refer to our Customs Information to learn more about customs regulations.

SAFETY AND SECURITY:  The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services in Sudan, including emergency assistance, is severely limited.  Many areas outside the capital of Khartoum are extremely difficult to access.

Terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to carry out attacks against U.S. interests.  Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, or kidnappings.  U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, which include tourist sites and locations where westerners are known to congregate, and commercial operations associated with U.S. or Western interests.  As physical security remains high at official facilities, terrorists may turn towards softer targets, such as residential compounds.

Travel in many parts of Sudan is hazardous.  Outside the major cities infrastructure is extremely poor, medical care is limited, and very few facilities for tourists exist.

Conflict among various armed groups and government forces continues in western Sudan, in the states of North Darfur, South Darfur, and West Darfur.  Banditry and lawlessness are also common in the west.  Many local residents are in camps for internally-displaced persons and receive humanitarian assistance for basic needs such as food, water, and shelter.  Expatriate humanitarian workers have been the targets of carjackings and burglaries. 

Land mines remain a major hazard in southern Sudan, especially south of the city of Juba.  Visitors should travel only on main roads unless a competent de-mining authority such as the UN has marked an area as clear of mines.  The armed Ugandan group known as The Lord’s Resistance Army is present along the southern border and reportedly has announced it will target Americans.

Occasional clashes between armed groups representing communal interests continue to occur in the centrally-located states of Upper Nile, Blue Nile, and Bahr al Ghazal. Banditry also occurs. 

Sudan shares porous land borders with nine other countries, which include Chad, the Central African Republic, Uganda, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.  Conflict in these countries occasionally spills over into Sudan.

Americans considering sea travel in Sudan’s coastal waters should exercise caution as there have been incidents of armed attacks and robberies by unknown groups in recent years, including one involving two American vessels.  Exercise extreme caution, as these groups are considered armed and dangerous.  When transiting in and around the Horn of Africa and/or in the Red Sea near Yemen, it is strongly recommended that vessels convoy in groups and maintain good communications contact at all times.  Marine channels 13 and 16 VHF-FM are international call-up and emergency channels and are commonly monitored by ships at sea.  2182 Mhz is the HF international call-up and emergency channel.  Wherever possible, travel in trafficked sea-lanes.  Avoid loitering in or transiting isolated or remote areas.  In case of emergency, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  In the event of an attack, consider activating Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons.      

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.  For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

CRIME:  Crimes against individuals occur occasionally but are not common in Khartoum.  However, carjacking and armed robbery continue to occur in western and southern Sudan.  Travelers should exercise caution in markets, other crowded public areas, and in public gatherings.  Sexual assault is more prevalent in the areas of armed conflict.   

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.  The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred.  Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. 

See our information on Victims of Crime.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:  Individuals with medical conditions which may require treatment are discouraged from traveling to Sudan.  Medical facilities in Khartoum fall short of U.S. standards; outside the capital, very few facilities exist and hospitals and clinics are poorly equipped.  Travelers must pay cash in advance for any medical treatment.  Ambulance services are not available.  Medicines are available only intermittently; travelers should bring sufficient supplies of needed medicines in clearly-marked containers. 

Malaria is prevalent in all areas of Sudan.  The strain is resistant to chloroquine and can be fatal.  Consult a health practitioner before traveling, obtain suitable anti-malarial drugs, and use protective measures, such as insect repellent, protective clothing, and mosquito nets.  Travelers who become ill with a fever or a flu-like illness while in Sudan, or within a year after departure, should promptly seek medical care and inform their physician of their travel history and the kind of anti-malarial drugs used.  For additional information about malaria and anti-malarial drugs please see the Center for Disease Control t ravelers’ h ealth web site, http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/index.htm.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s I nternet site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en.  Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.  Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:  While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  The information below concerning Sudan is provided for general reference only, and may not be accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road conditions throughout Sudan are hazardous due to erratic driver behavior, pedestrians and animals in the roadways, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles.  Only major highways and some streets in the cities are paved; many roads are narrow, rutted, and poorly maintained.  Local drivers do not observe conventions for the right-of-way, stop in the road without warning, and frequently exceed safe speeds for road, traffic, and weather conditions. Driving at night is dangerous and should be avoided if possible; many vehicles operate without lights.

In the north and west, dust storms and sand storms, known locally as haboobs, greatly reduce visibility when they occur.  Roads in these areas can be quickly covered with shifting sand at any season of the year.  Roads in southern Sudan often are impassable during the rainy season, from March to October.

U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling, including traffic laws.  In Sudan vehicles have the steering wheel on the left side and drivers use the right side of the road.  Traffic from side streets on the right has the right-of-way when entering a cross street, including fast-moving main streets.  Traffic on the right has the right-of-way at stops.  Right turns on a red light are prohibited.  Speed limits are not posted, but the legal speed limit for passenger cars on inter-city highways is 120 kph (about 70 mph), while in most urban areas the limit is 60 kph (about 35 mph.)  The speed limit in congested areas and school zones is 40 kph (about 25 mph).

Americans may use their U.S. driver’s licenses for up to 90 days after arrival in Sudan, and then must carry either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a Sudanese driver’s license.  There are no restrictions on vehicle types, including motorcycles and motorized tricycles.

Public transportation is limited to within and between major urban areas.  Passenger facilities are basic and crowded, especially during rush hours and periods of seasonal travel.  Schedules are unpublished and subject to change without notice.  Vehicle maintenance does not meet U.S. standards.  There is routine passenger train service on the route from Khartoum to Wadi Halfa (on the border with Egypt) and to Port Sudan (on the Red Sea.)  Bus service between major cities is regular and inexpensive.  Intra-city bus service in the major urban areas is regular, but most buses and bus stops are privately-operated and unmarked.  Taxis are available in the major cities at hotels, tourist sites, and government offices. The motorized rickshaws in common use in Khartoum are unsafe.  Travelers are encouraged to hire cars and drivers from reputable sources with qualified drivers and safe vehicles.  Irregularly-scheduled mini-buses provide some public transit to rural communities; many areas lack any public transportation.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. 

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Sudan, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.  For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s I nternet web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.

Two hijackings originated in Sudan in 2007; no passengers were harmed.  Adverse seasonal weather conditions, such as dust or sand storms in the north between April and June and severe rain storms in the south between March and October, cause frequent flight cancellations. 

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: In November 1997, the U.S. imposed comprehensive financial and commercial sanctions against Sudan, prohibiting U.S. transactions with Sudan.  Travelers intending to visit Sudan despite the Travel Warning should contact the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Office of Compliance, telephone 1-800-540-6322 or 202-622-2490, regarding the effect of these sanctions.

Travelers must be prepared to pay cash for all purchases, including hotel bills, airfares purchased locally, and all other travel expenses.  Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, cannot be used in Sudan due to U.S. sanctions.  Sudan has no international ATMs.  Local ATMs draw on local banks only.

Travelers, including journalists, must obtain a photography permit before taking any photographs.  Even with a photography permit, photographing military areas, bridges, drainage stations, broadcast stations, public utilities, slum areas, and beggars is prohibited.

Sudan is a conservative society, particularly in the capital and other areas where the Muslim population is the majority.  Alcohol is prohibited by law and modest dress is expected.  Loose, long-sleeved shirts and full-length skirts or slacks are recommended attire for women visitors.  Women who are not Muslim are not expected or required to cover their heads.  Men may wear short-sleeved shirts but short pants are not acceptable in public.

Please see our information on Customs Information.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES:  While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.  Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.  Persons violating Sudanese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in alcohol or illegal drugs in Sudan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.  Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States as well in Sudan.  Please see our information on Criminal Penalties. 

CHILDREN’S ISSUES:  Sudan does not permit foreigners to adopt children who are Sudanese citizens.  For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues web page. 

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION:  Americans living or traveling in Sudan are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Sudan.   Americans withoutInternet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Sharia Ali Abdel Latif, Khartoum, Sudan; tel: 249 1 83 774-701, http://khartoum.usembassy.gov/.

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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 11, 2006, to update sections on Safety and Security, Crime and Aviation Safety Oversight.

Germany Consular Information Sheet
August 30, 2007

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:  Germany is a modern and stable democracy. Tourist facilities are highly developed. In larger towns, many people can communicate in English. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Germany for additional information.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:  A passport is required. U.S. citizens can stay without a visa for a tourist/business stay of up to 90 days. That period begins when you enter any of the Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Further information on entry, visa and passport requirements may be obtained from the German Embassy at 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, telephone (202) 298-4000, web site: http://www.germany.info/relaunch/index.html, or the German Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco.

Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passport may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.

See our web site for more information pertaining to dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction. Please refer to our Customs Information to learn more about custom regulations. 

SAFETY AND SECURITY:  Germany remains largely free of terrorist incidents. However, like other countries in the Schengen area, Germany’s open borders with its western European neighbors allow the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country with anonymity. Overall, the security risk to travelers in Germany is low. Germany experiences, however, a number of demonstrations every year on a variety of political and economic themes. Prior police approval is required for public demonstrations in Germany, and police oversight is routinely provided for participants and passersby. Nonetheless, these demonstrations could spread or turn violent. In addition, hooligans, most often young intoxicated “skinheads“ have been known to harass or even attack people whom they believe to be foreigners or members of rival groups. While U.S. citizens have not been specific targets, several Americans have reported that they were assaulted for racial reasons or because they appeared “foreign.” All Americans are cautioned to avoid the area around protests and demonstrations and to check local media for updates on the situation.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

CRIME: Violent crime is rare in Germany, but can occur, especially in larger cities or high-risk areas such as train stations. Most incidents of street crime consist of theft of unattended items and pickpocketing. There have been a few reports of aggravated assault against U.S. citizens in higher-risk areas. American travelers are advised to take the same precautions against becoming crime victims as they would in any American city.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy or Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

See our information on Victims of Crime.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Good medical care is widely available. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate payment in cash for health services from tourists and persons with no permanent address in Germany. Most doctors, hospitals and pharmacies do not accept credit cards.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s Internet site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en .

Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Germany is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road conditions in general are excellent, although caution should be exercised while traveling on older roads in eastern Germany. The high speed permitted on the German autobahn, weather, and unfamiliar road markings can pose significant hazards, and driver error is a leading cause of accidents involving American motorists in Germany. Rules on right-of-way differ significantly from the U.S. Notice should be taken that it is generally illegal in Germany to pass vehicles from the right and that the threshold for determining whether a person has been driving under the influence of alcohol is lower than in some U.S. states. Many German streets and sidewalks have dedicated bike lanes for use by bicyclists. Pedestrians should be aware that bicycles have priority use of these lanes and should be careful to observe whether any bicyclist is approaching before crossing or stepping into the bike lane. Bicyclists also have priority over cars turning onto side streets, and motorists should always confirm whether a bicyclist is approaching from either direction before attempting to enter side streets, even when the light is in their favor. Motorists turning into a side street who hit a bicyclist who is using a marked bike lane will be held responsible for any injury or damage caused. The use of cell phones while driving is prohibited in Germany. For specific information on travel within Germany contact the German National Tourist Board Office in New York at (212) 661-7200, fax (212) 661-7174 or via the Internet at http://www.germany-tourism.de/.

Travelers should also note that railroad crossings are differently marked in Germany than in the U.S. There have been several accidents involving Americans in recent years at railroad crossings. In addition to the standard crossbuck (X-shaped) sign, railroad crossings are often marked by signal lights. Signal lights at a railroad crossing means that a train is approaching and that all vehicles should stop. Individuals holding U.S. driver’s licenses may drive in Germany for up to six months without acquiring a German driver’s license.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for information. Visit the website of the country’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety at http://www.germany-tourism.de/.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Germany’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Germany’s air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:  Germany’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Germany of certain items such as firearms, military artifacts (particularly those pertaining to the Second World War), antiques, medications/pharmaceuticals and business equipment. Under German law it is also illegal to bring into or take out of Germany literature, music CDs, or other paraphernalia that glorifies fascism, the Nazi past of the former “Third Reich.” It is advisable to contact the German Embassy in Washington or one of the German consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available throughout Germany. They utilize many of the same account networks that are found in the U.S., so it is possible in most cases to get euros directly from your U.S. bank while you are in Germany without paying any inordinate fees for currency exchange. Credit cards are not accepted as widely as in the United States.

Please see our information on