Germany is a dream destination with scenic landscapes, good pretzels, freshly-brewed beers, and historic castles.
Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt bring in millions of tourists each year alone. Each major city is beautiful and rich in culture.
But you should beware, the country is also full of the weirdest laws! Some of these laws make total sense. But others are not what one would expect.
Keep reading to learn more about strange and fun laws in Germany.
The Laws & Rules On Beer
Germany is known for its beer, especially the iconic celebration known as Oktoberfest. Germany is typically loose in its alcohol restriction allowing for a few interesting laws to make way.
Plus, you really can’t have weird laws in Germany without throwing in a few rules about the Germans’ beloved beer!
The 500-Year Old Beer Purity Law
This law might be as old as the country itself. This well-respected beer law is also known as Reinheitsgebot. In 1516, the Bavarian Duke Wilhelm IV brought the law into effect.
The Beer Purity Law decrees that there shall be no other ingredients in a Bavarian brew aside from barley, hops, and clean water.
There have been some updates to this law, including the addition of yeast, so it isn’t entirely the same as it was in the beginning.
Over 1,300 German breweries adhere to this law when brewing their beer. It is a law held in high regard and shared among most German beer lovers.
16-Year-Olds Can Drink Alcohol
Along with Belgium and Denmark, Germany made it legal for 16-year-olds to purchase alcoholic beverages with less than 1.2% distilled alcohol. They can consume beer or wine without a legal guardian or parent present.
18-year-olds can purchase spirits (beverages with more than 1.2% of alcohol) and drink without a legal guardian or parent. Even 14-year-olds can drink beer or wine if they have a guardian present.
The drinking age is lower than in other countries, especially the United States.
The German beer laws are typically more relaxed as Germans are trusted to use alcohol responsibly rather than drink irresponsibly all the time due to the lack of availability and strength of restriction.
You Can Never Be Illegally Drunk During Oktoberfest
I know it’s a strange law, but it’s real. It’s probably the best German beer law and most party animals are grateful for the leniency during this popular celebration.
This law says that you cannot get fined for consuming alcohol no matter the amount. Don’t get too excited though. The rule doesn’t apply anymore if you drive (or cycle) while intoxicated.
Oktoberfest is one gigantic party of beer, beer, and more beer where you can drink as much as you like without becoming a bierleichen, or a “beer corpse” as it is also known. These people are usually passed out on the ground.
You do not want to be one of those people. If you ever find yourself at Oktoberfest, remind yourself and your friends to avoid becoming a bierleichen.
See Related: Best Breweries in Germany
The Law on Quiet Hours
Germans are known to love their quiet time on Sundays. Even in public, obnoxious people will get many frowns and stares thrown their way by annoyed Germans. It is best to keep the peace by letting Germans have their time of minimum noise level.
Adhering to a few of these German laws will ensure that every German gets their rest and a peaceful Sunday.
Sundays Are For Resting
Germans take their day of rest very seriously. On Sundays, all stores, shops, and restaurants are closed. Unsuspecting tourists may not know this rule and might wander into town looking for local shops to spend their money on but will only find those shops with closed signs.
Making loud noises in your apartment can get you yelled at by an angry German neighbor or even a visit from the police. It is against the law to do any DIY projects in your home or on your property when it’s Sunday. If you had plans to mow the lawn, clean the house, or have a bunch of guests over, think again.
Save Your Piano Skills For the Daytime
Quiet hours are a real thing in Germany. Germany declared it illegal to play an instrument after midnight. Even though Germany encourages musicians to practice their art, living in an apartment can hinder them from practicing at night.
This law applies specifically to piano tuning. It is strictly forbidden to tune a piano during quiet hours. If it happens, you will probably receive some angry knocks on your door or a passive-aggressive note left on your doorstep.
Leave Your Creativity For the Weekdays
Germany banned making any loud, excessive noises during quiet hours which are typically between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The time depends on the region.
This ban includes any DIY projects or household cleaning that produces loud noises. Living in an apartment is a bit worse since neighbors are right there and can tell if you are running the vacuum, blasting music while you clean, or hammering away at a nail.
If you have a creative burst and it’s a Sunday, you will have to be patient and wait for a day when it’s acceptable for maintenance or cleaning.
Rules of the Road
In Germany, the autobahn has no speed limit. It is quite a wild idea but proves safe and useful for reducing agonizing traffic jams.
The freedom to drive without limits comes with the responsibility to follow the rules to keep drivers safe.
I’ve laid out a few of the more interesting laws in Germany dealing with road etiquette.
Driving on the Speedy Autobahn
Running out of gas on the highway is excruciatingly annoying for the driver. In Germany, it is just as annoying for other drivers causing them to slow their speed to accommodate a slow-moving vehicle inching its way closer to a gas station.
By law, it is illegal to stop on the autobahn without a valid reason. Unfortunately, running out of gas is not on the list of very good reasons for stopping on the autobahn.
It is recommended to fill your tank up before you hit the autobahn or you may risk running out of gas and angering yourself, fellow drivers, and the lucky police officer that gives you a ticket.
Don’t Drink and Bike!
Driving a car while drunk is a big no-no. But in Germany, even riding a bicycle while intoxicated can get you into some serious trouble with the law.
If someone is caught cycling and drinking (or already drunk), police officers will stop them and confiscate their license if necessary. It can be difficult trying to get it back.
So, if you find yourself under the influence, just walk or call an Uber. Your sober self (and license) will thank you later!
The Crosswalk
Foreigners always seem to make this mistake. Crossing the road when it isn’t your time is a huge mistake in Germany.
It is entirely illegal to do it and jaywalkers can face fines when they use the pedestrian crossing at the wrong time. If it isn’t green, stay put!
You’ll end up getting a €5 fine (or more) or even scolded by other Germans who frown upon jaywalkers (they like to set an example for the children).
See Related: Public Transportation in Germany
Your Car, Your Rules (Or Not So Much)
The German autobahn is famous for allowing drivers to drive as fast as they desire. Cars can drive down the road going 200 miles per hour if they want.
You Can Be Naked In Your Car
Public nudity is such a taboo topic in most countries. This isn’t the case in Germany. This funny German law views your car as your private space, giving you the freedom to drive in your birthday suit if you want.
However, it does come with limits. As long as you are not flashing anyone on the road, you won’t be stopped by police officers.
It is even becoming more accepted to be nude in cities like Berlin as long as you are not offending anyone.
If you’ve dreamed of driving down the highway in the nude with the wind blowing through your hair, then Germany is a good place to be.
No At-Home Car Washes
Washing your car will most likely have to be an activity reserved for car washes or in designated areas since German law says no one is permitted to wash their car at home.
This law makes sense once you understand the reasoning behind it. When you wash a car, the chemicals from the soap can get into the water system underground. German authorities banned car washing at home to prevent those issues.
Keeping your car clean is essential to making it look shiny and beautiful. So, take it to a car wash to get it professionally done or find a self-service car wash.
The Laws Every Tourist Needs to Know
Many interesting and weird German laws make for an entertaining read. But, knowing these laws have practical value too.
If you’re planning a trip to Germany or want to in the future, make sure you keep these German laws in mind.
Watch Your Language!
Mastering the German language can be difficult and even natives still mix their “du” and “sie” when speaking to adults.
It’s illegal to address a police officer informally and could land you with a fine.
The word “du” is considered more informal and isn’t used with strangers, so if you address a police officer this way, you may get more than a disapproving look.
See Related: What Languages Are Spoken in Germany?
Beware of Recycling Incorrectly
Some laws in Germany make sense, like mandatory waste separation and recycling. It’s great for the environment and many other countries could benefit from this process.
Many tourists find themselves confused when figuring out where to throw their trash. It doesn’t help that there are multi-colored bins for separate items.
Germany requires everyone to separate their waste into blue, green, yellow, black, or brown bins. Each bin is designated for a type of waste (plastic, glass, paper, household, etc.).
Learning how to properly throw away your waste is an absolute must if you’re planning a visit. It also gets much easier the more you do it.
Never Show the Nazi Salute
Not only is it highly insensitive, but it is prohibited too. Many Germans still feel a sense of guilt over the events of World War II. It’s disrespectful for someone to mock the events that occurred.
Swastikas and SS sig runes are considered to symbolize anti-constitutional organizations that are banned from being sold or used in Germany. The Nazi salute is also banned and forbidden in public.
Breaking this law can be punishable with a fine or up to three years in jail based on the severity of the offense.
So, even if your intentions aren’t evil, it is best not to joke around while you are touring Germany. Settle for some good beer jokes instead!
Skip the Pillow Fights
If you are planning a trip to Germany and plan to bring your favorite pillow, make sure you leave it in the hotel room so you aren’t tempted to smack anyone with it.
German law classifies a pillow as a passive weapon, meaning it could be used to cause harm to an individual, leading to assault charges.
If you were to go out in public with your pillow and happened to come across a rude person, you might get the urge to engage in a pillow fight (where you are the only one with a weapon).
Not everyone likes pillow fights, so it’s best to leave your fluffy pillow at home.
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