26 Oct 2026
Flood — Germany
254.3 km — GDACS report in progress — UN / European Commission
Maximum Alerts / Germany
GermanyLevel 2/4
Level published by the State Department on 12.05.2025 · read 31 October 2026 · source checked daily
Germany — official level as of 31 October 2026: Level 2/4 ("Exercise Increased Caution"), from the U.S. Department of State. Maximum Insurance covers this country: hospital settled directly, unlimited repatriation, EUR 1.5M, certificate on payment.
Four official readings
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
Level 2/4 — “Exercise Increased Caution”levels 1 and 2 are advice to be careful, not travel restrictions
FranceFrance Diplomatiesource ↗Added on top of the U.S. level, under its own rules: red or orange AREAS
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
our reading: no area of the country is classified red or orange
Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
our reading: no travel advised against
source reviewed 11 August 2026Is the whole country advised against?Nono restriction on the whole country
our reading: the FDFA advises against no travel
The four readings on record agree: no restriction on the whole country.Our comparison reading: 24 October 2026
How we read these four advisories
Every country has its own scale, so we ask them all the same question: is the whole country advised against?
An advisory covering only areas of the country does not raise the answer: it stays “No”, and the area is shown in the relevant column.
The level shown on this page — and across this site — is the one published by the U.S. State Department, from 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel). France and the United Kingdom publish their own advisories, with their own rules: they add to that level, they do not replace it.
Country briefing
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+41 22 ••• •• ••
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POLICY 20 00 479 · REF DEMO · PACK VIP
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In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
What Maximum knows
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
What I say on the phone
- I am insured with Maximum, here is my policy number. Where should I go? Send me to a hospital in the Maximum network.
- Send the payment guarantee to the hospital: I do not want to pay anything up front.
- For non-urgent transport or repatriation, tell me what you authorise and arrange. In a life-threatening emergency, I call local emergency services immediately.
What to do, in this order
1Contact assistance without delay›
Otherwise: reduced or refused reimbursement
In immediate danger, call local emergency services first. Then contact assistance without delay; before engaging a service, seek approval under your policy. Cover is confirmed by the insurer.
2Ask where to get care›
Check the facility and cover
Ask assistance where to get care and whether direct cover can be arranged. It confirms the facility and seeks the insurer's approval under your policy. In immediate danger, call local emergency services first.
3See a doctor the same day›
Otherwise: nothing is covered
Even for a pain you meant to shrug off. Without a medical certificate written on the spot, the same day, the insurer cannot cover the event — a certificate written after you return does not count.
4Admitted? Have the hospital front desk call Maximum›
An up-front payment may be requested
The hospital desk sends the request to assistance. Direct payment depends on the insurer's approval and the policy; the call alone does not guarantee it. Have the response confirmed before relying on no up-front payment.
5For non-urgent transport, seek assistance approval›
Without approval, transport may remain at your expense
In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services immediately. For an arranged transfer or repatriation, contact assistance: the insurer's medical team decides on measures under the policy. A medical flight booked without approval may not be reimbursed.
6Once home, report the claim within 30 days›
Otherwise: reduced or refused compensation
Even if everything went well on the ground. Send your invoices and the medical report within 30 days; after that, compensation may be reduced or refused.
Places read from OpenStreetMap, within a circle of about 12 km: phone, email, address, website and hours when the source publishes them. No customer reviews, that source has none. Straight-line distances.
The comparator
What is your current insurance?
The verdict
No area exclusion at this level — but three written limits: deductible and prior approval, 90-day cap, advance under conditions.
Exact wording (official French text): « Des Voyages vers des pays où Votre gouvernement a conseillé de ne pas voyager » — general exclusion n° 11, applying to ALL travel covers.
Line by line
Territorial exclusion at this level
No territorial exclusion at this level — the clause targets countries your government advised against travelling to
Covered — the core of the Maximum contract
Medical expenses cap abroad
€2M — but 10% deductible (€150–500), insurer's prior approval, trip paid with the Card
EUR 1.5M emergency medical expenses
Hospital deposit before admission
Advance possible — prior approval required before care
Direct payment guarantee: the insurer settles the hospital
Trip duration covered
Maximum 90 consecutive days per trip
12 months, unlimited trips
Visa certificate (incl. Schengen)
Not provided
Official named certificate, issued on payment
Notices vary by bank and vintage — yours prevails. On the right: the Maximum contract (public documents).
What is happening in Germany right now
Live alerts and level changes, each with its official source. Continuously updated.
What governments have just written
The Need help? section was updated.
October 9, 2026 09:29 EDTtravel.gc.ca ↗updated 09.10.2026 · read 31.10.2026No level change recorded for this country since the log opened. The live alerts above are updated continuously.
Frequently asked questions — travel insurance Germany
24/7 support number — +41 22 ••• •• ••An adviser goes through each question with you until you have an actionable answer: cover, hospital, entry rules, claims. Full number in your client area. You can also ask Maximum directly, just below these questions.
What is the official risk level in Germany today?
Level 2/4 — Exercise Increased Caution, U.S. Department of State, retrieved on 31 October 2026.
- Is the whole country advised against? United States: no · France: no · United Kingdom: no · Switzerland: no (reading of 24 October 2026).
- Contractually, only an FDFA, FOPH or WHO advisory against the trip opens Module A (art. 18.1) — that is not the case today.
- International medical cover, 24/7 number saved, and a read of the areas named under Safety & risks before booking the itinerary.
- We check these sources every morning and e-mail you the day one changes (Alerts button).
Sourcestravel.state.gov · updated 12.05 · read 31.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 31.10DFAE · updated 11.06 · read 31.10207-country comparison
Is the whole of Germany advised against, or only some areas?
An area advised against does not rule out the country.
- Official answers: United States: no · France: no · United Kingdom: no · Switzerland: no.
- Keep your country of residence's advisory on booking day and on departure day: that is what your policy's clauses cite.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 31.10Foreign Office · updated 11.08 · read 31.10State Department · updated 12.05 · read 31.10
What are the entry requirements for Germany with my passport?
The rules depend on the passport, not on the destination alone.
- French passport (France Diplomatie): Since May 2025, Germany has strengthened border controls at all entry points; identity checks may occur, causing delays on cross-border roads and railways. .
- British passport (Foreign Office): British citizens must have a passport issued less than 10 years before arrival; if renewed before 1 October 2018, the issue date may exceed 10 years and invalidate entry to the Schengen area. Passports must expire at least 3 months after the planned departure date from the Schengen area. British travellers can enter Germany and other Schengen countries visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period; overstaying may result in a ban of up to 3 years.
- American passport: the requirements are on the State Department country page (travel.state.gov).
- Swiss passport: the FDFA refers you to the destination's embassy in Switzerland.
- Pick your passport at the top of Before you go › Entry: the official text that concerns you comes first, with its “In brief” summary.
SourcesFrance Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 31.10Foreign Office · updated 11.08 · read 31.10State Department · updated 12.05 · read 31.10
Do I need an insurance certificate for a Germany visa?
For a Schengen visa, yes: at least €30,000 of travel medical insurance (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, art. 15).
- Many other countries ask for it on entry or for a visa, case by case: check Before you go › Entry, with your passport.
- Subscribe: the named certificate arrives by e-mail on payment, with your name, dates and limits (EUR 1.5M medical expenses, unlimited evacuation and repatriation) — the ones consulates check.
- Attach it to the visa file; if in doubt about the format, write to us.
SourcesRegulation (EC) 810/2009, art. 15General conditions, policy 20 00 479
What does Maximum Insurance do in Germany, concretely?
VIP Pack — €990 for twelve months, unlimited trips.
- EUR 1.5M emergency medical expenses, unlimited medical evacuation and repatriation, search and rescue USD 50,000, cancellation or change USD 5,000.
- One 24/7 number, +41 22 ••• •• ••: Maximum sends its direct payment guarantee to the hospital (art. 2.12).
- Network of 45,000 providers (art. 6.9); evacuation is decided, organised and paid by Maximum's medical team if the local facility is not enough (art. 6.2.2).
- Around Berlin, the nearest hospital read from OpenStreetMap: St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus · 1.0 km · +49 30 23110 · 24/7 emergency room.
- Named certificate by e-mail on payment, no medical questionnaire.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479OpenStreetMap · read 24.10
What should I do if hospitalised in Germany?
Six steps, in this order.
- 1. Call +41 22 ••• •• •• before paying anything, or have the front desk call: it is the condition for full cover (otherwise: reduced or refused benefits).
- 2. Ask for a hospital in the Maximum network (art. 6.9) — the nearest: St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus · 1.0 km · +49 30 23110 · 24/7 emergency room.
- 3. See a doctor the same day and leave with the certificate: without an on-the-spot finding, nothing is covered (art. 33).
- 4. Admitted for more than 24 h? The front desk calls Maximum: direct payment guarantee, no deposit (art. 2.12).
- 5. Book no ambulance or flight yourself (art. 6.2.2).
- 6. Once home, file within 30 days (art. 35.7).
- Local emergency services: single number 112 · police 110.
SourcesSpecial conditions 01.26General conditions, policy 20 00 479
Which emergency numbers in Germany?
Local emergency services: single number 112 · police 110
- Maximum, 24/7, before any payment: +41 22 ••• •• ••.
- France — Ambassade de la République française en Allemagne (1.1 km) · +49 30 590039000
- Switzerland — Ambassade de Suisse (1.7 km) · +49 30 390 40 00
- United Kingdom — Ambassade du Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande du Nord (1.0 km)
- United States — Ambassade des États-Unis d'Amérique (1.2 km) · +49 30 830 50
- Save these numbers before leaving; in immediate danger, call local emergency services first, then Maximum.
SourcesEmergencyNumberAPI · Wikidata · read 22.10OpenStreetMap · read 24.10
Is an Amex, Visa or Mastercard enough in Germany?
At today's level 2/4, card by card:
- Amex Platinum — No area exclusion at this level — but three written limits: deductible and prior approval, 90-day cap, advance under conditions.
- Visa — No express area exclusion — but a €156,000 cap, 90 days, and the war/instability exclusion in the background.
- Mastercard — No exclusion in play at this level — but a €155,000 cap and 90 covered days.
- Three lines to read in your notice: the duration (often 90 days per trip), the settlement (reimbursement afterwards or direct payment of the hospital) and the area exclusion at level 4/4.
SourcesAmex Platinum France T&Cs, 01.2025 — general exclusion n° 11BNP Paribas Visa Infinite notice (policy PT7), 04.2025 — comFortuneo World Elite Mastercard notice, 01.2026 — art. 5.5 '
Are a health plan or a travel policy enough in Germany?
A health plan reimburses at home; here, the hospital asks for a payment guarantee before admission.
- Health plan — A health plan treats you at home. Here the hospital asks for a guarantee before admission — not a later reimbursement.
- Travel policy — No area exclusion at this level — compare cap, deductible and covered duration.
- A travel policy often has a territorial clause at level 4/4 and a 90-day limit per trip.
- Have your IPID number or the PDF of the terms and ask an expert to call you back: the answer is in the document, not in the brochure.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
How do I use the medical network on this page?
Around Berlin: 80 hospitals and clinics, 14 with a 24/7 emergency room, 40 pharmacies, 10 doctors' practices (OpenStreetMap, hospital list read on 30.10.2026).
- Type your city, hotel or beach: the map re-centres, 24/7 emergency rooms come first.
- Each row gives the phone when the source publishes it, the nearest street, directions and the Google Maps listing.
- The PDF briefing repeats the same places, numbered on a printable map.
- No customer reviews: OpenStreetMap has none, and we invent none.
Which vaccines and health precautions for Germany?
The sourced detail is under Medical network › Health: vaccines, diseases present, altitude, outbreaks.
- CDC (Travelers' Health), depending on the trip: Routine vaccines, COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Monkeypox, Polio.
- See a doctor or a travel clinic 8 weeks before departure (Foreign Office).
- Carry your medicines in their packaging, with a prescription using international non-proprietary names (France Diplomatie).
SourcesCDC Travelers' Health · read 30.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 31.10OMS · read 31.10Foreign Office · updated 11.08 · read 31.10
Can I be treated in Germany, or will I be evacuated?
4.5 physicians per 1,000 people (2022) versus 4.5 in Switzerland.
- 7.5 hospital beds per 1,000 people versus 4.4 in Switzerland (World Bank).
- Medical density comparable to Switzerland: the local network handles most cases; repatriation remains a question of convalescence and cost. Health spending of 6,849 USD per person (Switzerland: 11,784): expensive care, settled directly by the insurer with the payment guarantee.
- When the local facility is not enough, Maximum's medical team decides the evacuation to a suitable centre, and pays for it (art. 6.2.2).
SourcesWorld Bank · read 30.10General conditions, policy 20 00 479
Germany: safety, in figures?
0.9 homicides per 100,000 people (2023) versus 0.6 in Switzerland and 1.3 in France.
- 3.8 road deaths per 100,000 people versus 2.2 in Switzerland (World Bank, WHO).
- The homicide rate is above Switzerland's, without being out of range. On the road, a level close to Switzerland's; road crashes are the leading cause of death of healthy travellers (CDC) — seat belt, no night driving, a driver or a taxi from a rank.
Where is my embassy in Germany, and why register?
The nearest representations, by passport (OpenStreetMap):
- France — Ambassade de la République française en Allemagne (1.1 km) · +49 30 590039000
- Switzerland — Ambassade de Suisse (1.7 km) · +49 30 390 40 00
- United Kingdom — Ambassade du Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande du Nord (1.0 km)
- United States — Ambassade des États-Unis d'Amérique (1.2 km) · +49 30 830 50
- Register before leaving: France: Ariane · Switzerland: Travel Admin · United Kingdom: Foreign Office alerts · United States: STEP.
- Two minutes, and in a crisis your country's authorities can reach you and count you in an evacuation.
- Pick your passport at the top of Contacts: your embassy comes first.
SourcesOpenStreetMap · read 24.10DFAE · updated 11.06 · read 31.10
Which regions of Germany should I avoid, precisely?
No region is advised against by the official readings checked (Global Affairs Canada, Foreign Office and France Diplomatie): the national advice applies everywhere.
- Your point (Berlin): country-wide vigilance.
- Maximum does not exclude these areas: the VIP Pack covers care and repatriation there (sanctions, embargoes and a country already at war at departure remain enforceable).
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 09.10 · read 31.10Foreign Office · updated 11.08 · read 31.10France Diplomatie · updated 15.09 · read 31.10
Which laws and customs should I know in Germany?
Local laws apply to every traveller; here is what the official texts say.
- Carry adequate identification at all times, such as your passport or residence permit, and keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place in case it is lost or stolen.
- Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs in Germany are severe, including jail sentences or heavy fines.
- Convicted offenders for diffusing Nazi propaganda or using related symbols face jail sentences or fines; this includes online sharing and public display.
- You must be at least 18 years old to drive in Germany; a valid Canadian licence is valid for up to 6 months, after which you must exchange it for a German licence within 6 weeks.
- If carrying €10,000 or more (or equivalent) in cash or monetary instruments, declare it to customs when entering or leaving the European Union.
SourcesGlobal Affairs Canada · updated 09.10 · read 31.10Foreign Office · updated 11.08 · read 31.10
Who can I call at any hour from Germany?
Every foreign ministry runs a 24/7 emergency line for its nationals.
- France — Crisis and Support Centre — French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: +33 1 53 59 11 00. 24/7 emergency line, standard rate. First contact abroad: the French embassy or consulate.
- Switzerland — FDFA Helpline: +41 58 465 33 33 · +41 800 24 7 365. 24/7, 365 days a year — helpline@eda.admin.ch. Beware of scam calls spoofing these numbers.
- United Kingdom — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: +44 20 7008 5000. 24 hours, for British nationals.
- United States — Overseas Citizens Services — U.S. Department of State: +1 202 501 4444 · +1 888 407 4747. From abroad; the second number from the U.S. and Canada.
- On site, Ambassade de la République française en Allemagne: +49 30 590039000.
Sourcesdiplomatie.gouv.fr · updated 15.09 · read 31.10eda.admin.ch · updated 11.06 · read 31.10
A few useful phrases in German for Germany?
Emergency phrases, to show if pronunciation fails:
- Help! → Hilfe!
- Call an ambulance! → Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen!
- I need a doctor. → Ich brauche einen Arzt.
- Where is the nearest hospital? → Wo ist das nächste Krankenhaus?
- Call the police! → Rufen Sie die Polizei!
SourcesMaximum Insurance
What should I keep after leaving Germany, and how do I file a claim?
Keep the entry stamp, the invoices, the prescriptions and the medical report.
- File within 30 days (art. 35.7) from your client area, with the documents; the official forms are pre-filled.
- Costs advanced on site are reimbursed against receipts.
- Fever, persistent diarrhoea or a rash in the following weeks? See a doctor and say where you have been.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
What does the Pack VIP Extreme add?
Cancellation or change up to USD 20,000, special risk USD 5,000 per person, crisis management and security, optional Kidnap & Ransom.
- Special risk (Module A): political event, attack, epidemic, natural disaster — opens when the FDFA, the FOPH or WHO advise against the trip (art. 18.1).
- Epidemic: assistance must be requested within 7 days of the WHO or FDFA qualification (art. 36.2).
- Crisis management and security: trip registration, monitoring, extraction, evacuation in case of riot, war, terrorism or disaster; Kidnap & Ransom subject to eligibility (art. 18.4).
- €2,290 a year, unlimited trips.
SourcesGeneral conditions, policy 20 00 479
A question not answered here? Ask Maximum below, or call the support number: every question gets a clear, actionable answer.
A question? Maximum answers.Answers built from the Germany file and your policy.
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In a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services first, then Maximum: +41 22 ••• •• •• — 24/7 support number, an adviser stays with you to the end.
What Maximum knows
The 207 country pages — hospitals, pharmacies, police, embassies, emergency numbers, official advice from four governments, health, safety in figures, events in progress — read around the city you name. Your policy — benefits, the six steps, claims, articles. The site — prices, certificate, subscription. Nothing else: what it does not know, it says so and hands you to an adviser.
Same advisory level: Sweden · São Tomé and Príncipe · Tajikistan · Tanzania · Timor-Leste · Togo
Cross-check with official sources
The displayed level comes from the State Department, checked every morning. Before departure, always cross-check your country of residence's advisory: that is what your policy cites.
The level shown is the official U.S. Department of State level, checked daily. Maximum Insurance is an insurance distributor — general information, not personal advice.