Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.
What's Illegal inGermany?
A trip to Germany comes with a few legal traps that are easy to miss. Of the 32 common items and activities tracked here, 15 are outright illegal and 7 are restricted or conditional. The strictest area for Germany is everyday activities and public behavior, which is the first place to check before you travel.
Nazi symbols/salute = 5 years prison (even 'joking'). Quiet hours 10pm-6am are legally enforced.
DO NOT BRING
Running out of gas on Autobahn · Walking on Autobahn · Passing on right · Not having ID
What to know before you go to Germany
The single thing worth knowing first: Nazi symbols/salute = 5 years prison (even 'joking'). Quiet hours 10pm-6am are legally enforced. It is the kind of rule that looks minor at home and becomes a serious problem at the border or in public, which is exactly why it tops this page.
Within everyday activities and public behavior, Germany treats Nazi symbols/salute, Holocaust denial, and Insulting someone, among others, as off-limits. Carrying or doing any of these can mean confiscation, fines, or detention depending on the case — and a foreign prescription, habit, or "I didn't know" rarely helps once you are stopped. Each entry below links to the official source it is checked against, with the verified ones marked.
Two things travelers regularly get wrong about Germany: Displaying a swastika or performing a Nazi salute is a criminal offence under §86a even when meant ironically or as a tourist photo; and Jaywalking is fined and can affect insurance liability if you are hit while crossing against a red signal. Assumptions like these are how otherwise careful visitors end up in trouble, so it is worth checking the specifics rather than guessing.
One important caveat: Cannabis was partially legalised nationally in 2024, but consumption near schools, playgrounds, and pedestrian zones is still restricted. Laws and their enforcement can shift between regions and over time, so treat this page as a sourced starting point and confirm anything borderline against the official links before you rely on it.
BEFORE YOU GO TO GERMANY — 3 STEPS
Confirm the rule with an official Germany source
Laws change. Before you pack, verify anything borderline against Federal Police — the official source we cite for Germany.
Open Federal Police →Carry proof for anything restricted
If you're bringing prescription medication or a regulated device into Germany, carry the prescription, original packaging, and a doctor's note. For controlled medicines, check whether an import permit is required.
Have a backup if something gets held at the border
Know who to call and keep your travel insurance and embassy details handy in case an item is seized or questioned at customs in Germany.
General guidance, not legal advice. How we verify.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
- Displaying a swastika or performing a Nazi salute is a criminal offence under §86a even when meant ironically or as a tourist photo.
- Jaywalking is fined and can affect insurance liability if you are hit while crossing against a red signal.
JURISDICTION NOTES
- Cannabis was partially legalised nationally in 2024, but consumption near schools, playgrounds, and pedestrian zones is still restricted.
- Quiet hours (Ruhezeit) are enforced through local ordinances and apply on Sundays and public holidays in most states.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
IN-DEPTH GUIDES
Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.