1.) Passport...2.) Out-of-country medical insurance...
http://www.adhesions.org/forums/ADHESIONS.0210/0457.html
~ ~ ~ ~ 3.) A debit card: You can apply for a debit card at your local bank. Plan on doing this at least two weeks in advance of your trip to Germany. With a debit card you can withdraw funds from your United States checking account at any ATM machine in Germany. When I was in Germany in January 2002, I learned that a debit card withdrawal is limited to $600 per day - and there is a 2% tax on a withdrawal. With this new information you will be better prepared if you plan to go Germany. You will find information about the debit card at:
http://www.natlconsumersleague.org/debitbro.htm#intro
~ ~ ~ ~
4.) Euro coins and banknotes: The Euro became the official currency of Germany on January 01, 2002. You can learn more about the Euro and you can view the Euro (banknotes and coins) at:
.....a.) Euro Banknotes: click each banknote for a larger view and more detail.
http://www.euro.ecb.int/en/section/testnotes.html
~ ~ ~ ~
.....b.) Euro Coins: click "flag D" to view Germany-specific faces of Euro coins. To view each side of the German Euro coins: scroll down and click: " View common side of coins." To view the other side of the Euro coins: click: " View country specific side of coins."
http://www.euro.ecb.int/en/section/euro0.html
~ ~ ~ ~
......c.) .Universal Currency Converter (UCC): With the use of the UCC, you can convert the Euro (EUR) to the United States Dollar (USD). You will notice that the value of the Euro will fluctuate - based on the Germany economy at the time. The Universal Currency Converter is at this website:
X X X X