Berlin is the capital of Germany and the largest city of the country with a population of 4,5 million. Located in northeastern Germany on the banks of the rivers Spree and Havel, in the European Plain, Berlin beneficiates of a temperate seasonal climate. The city is surrounded by magnificent forests, rivers and lakes and has numerous public green spaces. The biggest is the “Tiergarten” park with 210 hectares. Berlin is known for its young and cosmopolite population. The city offers lively nightlife, clubs, bars, street art and hosts many kind of entertainment events such as music festivals and sporting events. The city has an important historical past that is represented by many museums, diverse architecture and other sites of historic interest.
ABOUT BERLIN / 5th International Workshop on Lung Health
Emergency numbers in Berlin
Emergencies, ambulance, fire tel. +49 30 112;
Emergency doctor service tel. +49 30 31 00 31;
Police tel. +49 30 110;
Non-urgent police matters tel. +49 30 46 64 46 64.
Electricity
Electrical current in Germany is 220v AC, 50 Hz via standard European round, two-pin sockets. Converters can be bought at the airport and large electronics shops, and many hotels will have them at the front desk too.
Money
Germany uses the euro (€). Banknotes come in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. Coins, whose design depends on in which country they were minted, come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and €1 and €2.
Credit and debit card payment is possible in a wide range of shops, restaurants and nightlife venues, though always have cash on you for small payments just in case. ATMs can be found everywhere; those that charge for transactions clearly indicate the fee during the process. Exchange offices can be found at the major train stations.
Money services
Banks and Foreign Exchange
Exchange AG: Friedrichstr. 172.
Tel: +49 30 20649296
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Deutsche Bank: Kurfürstendamm 111
Tel: +49 30 8 90 43 70
Visas and entry formalities
EU citizens can stay in Germany as long as they like, though registration at a Bürgeramt office is officially required for stays more than a few months.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Mexico USA and a few others can enter Germany without a visa for a maximum of 90 days in any six month period.
All other nationals need to apply for a German visa in advance.
Note that there’s no passport control between Germany and the other 14 European ‘Schengen’ countries, and visas to any of these are valid for travel in Germany too.
All visitors need a passport that is valid for at least fourth months from the date of arrival; EU citizens can enter with a valid EU identity card too.
Check the MFA website for the latest immigration details: www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Climate
