⚖️ Side by side
Germany vs France
A side-by-side look at the practical essentials for Germany and France — power, safety, money and getting around.
Quick answer
Traveling between Germany and France, you likely won't need a plug adapter, and a voltage converter is generally not needed for dual-voltage chargers.
| Detail | Germany | France |
|---|---|---|
| Power plug | Type C/F | Type C/E |
| Voltage | 230V | 230V |
| Frequency | 50Hz | 50Hz |
| Emergency (general) | 112 | 112 |
| Police | 110 | 17 |
| Ambulance | 112 | 15 (SAMU) |
| Tap water | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Driving side | Right | Right |
| Currency | Euro (EUR, €) | Euro (EUR, €) |
| Dialing code | +49 | +33 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST) | UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Best season | May to September is best for city trips, outdoor dining and festivals. December is popular for Christmas markets, while spring and early autumn usually have better hotel value than peak summer. | Late spring and early autumn bring warm days, long light and thinner crowds. July and August are peak tourist months, while many smaller businesses outside resort areas may take summer holidays. |
Full guide
Germany travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for Germany.
Full guide
France travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for France.