Business etiquette
Business appointments should be made well in advance and strictly adhered to. Many companies close early on Fridays. Great importance is attached to punctuality.
According to aristmarketing, Germans are very professional at work and this is also reflected in their expectations with regard to punctuality, factual behavior and attention to details. On the phone you always use your last name instead of a simple “Hello”. People should be addressed by their title (e.g. Doctor) and last name. Many business people speak English or French, but sometimes prefer to do business Business cards are often exchanged, and conservative clothing is better at driving, at least at the first meeting.
Meetings usually take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., although late afternoon meetings (excluding Fridays) are not uncommon. Business lunchtime lunches (the inviting party usually pays) are quite common, but rarely for breakfast.
- Berlin
- Hamburg
- Dusseldorf
- Frankfurt
- Cologne
- Munich
Great emphasis is placed on punctuality. The Bavarians may seem a bit more casual than their compatriots from the north, but they regard delays as impolite and unprofessional. A neat appearance is also important, and business travelers should inquire about appropriate clothing for meetings with business partners outside of working hours.
The usual greeting in business and social settings is a firm handshake. Business partners should be addressed by their last name, Mr or Ms, and their academic title (e.g. Doctor). Germans are known for their directness and expect the same from their foreign business partners. It happens that Bavarian businessmen show their appreciation not by clapping but by knocking on the table.
Shops are u. U. also closed in a private environment, but more with business friends you know well. Germans rarely invite their colleagues home. Outside the company, the host is expected to start the business conversation. Business lunches, often with alcohol, are very popular. Visitors should keep in mind that when enjoying beer, most of the time with?? Prost?? is toasted, while the slightly finer version?? for good?? is common.
Opening hours
Business hours are usually Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. / 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. / 6 p.m., although these hours can be shorter as Germany has some of the shortest working hours in Western Europe. In many companies, work is done at 1pm / 2pm on Fridays.
Economy
German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (umbrella association of 82 chambers of industry and commerce)
Breite Straße 29, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 20 30 80.
Internet: www.ihk.de
Austrian trade delegation
Stauffenbergstr. 1, D-10785 Berlin
Tel: (030) 257 57 50.
Internet: www.austriantrade.org / deutschland / de
branches in Frankfurt / M. and Munich. Office in Dresden. German Chamber of Commerce in Austria, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 142, A-1050 Vienna Tel: (01) 545 14 17. Internet: www.dhk.at Chamber of Commerce Germany-Switzerland (Zurich headquarters)
Tödistraße 60, CH-8002 Zurich
Tel: (44) 283 61 61.
Internet: www.handelskammer-d-ch.ch
Association of Swiss Companies in Germany (VSUD)
Gellertstrasse 18, CH-4052 Basel
Tel: (061) 375 95 00.
Internet: www.vsud.ch
VSUD representative offices in Berlin and Frankfurt.
Business contacts
German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (umbrella association of 82 chambers of industry and commerce)
Breite Straße 29, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 20 30 80.
Internet: www.ihk.de
Austrian trade delegation
Stauffenbergstr. 1, D-10785 Berlin
Tel: (030) 257 57 50.
Internet: www.austriantrade.org / deutschland / de
branches in Frankfurt / M. and Munich. Office in Dresden. German Chamber of Commerce in Austria, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 142, A-1050 Vienna Tel: (01) 545 14 17. Internet: www.dhk.at Chamber of Commerce Germany-Switzerland (Zurich headquarters)
Tödistraße 60, CH-8002 Zurich
Tel: (44) 283 61 61.
Internet: www.handelskammer-d-ch.ch
Association of Swiss Companies in Germany (VSUD)
Gellertstrasse 18, CH-4052 Basel
Tel: (061) 375 95 00.
Internet: www.vsud.ch
VSUD representative offices in Berlin and Frankfurt.
MONEY
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). There are banknotes in values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 * euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. * The German 5 euro coin is only valid as a means of payment in Germany. The 500 euro banknote is to be abolished towards the end of 2018.
Credit cards
All major credit cards are accepted. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
With an ec / Maestro card and pin number, cash in the local currency can be withdrawn from ATMs. In many European countries it is also possible to pay in shops with the ec / Maestro card. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted in Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. The same applies to the German Sparcard, the successor to the postal savings book as a means of procuring currency in other European countries. With a Sparcard and PIN number, cash can be withdrawn from European ATMs with the Visa Plus logo.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 8.30am-1pm and 2.00pm / 2.30pm-4.00pm, Thursdays until 5.30pm in larger cities. Control centers are usually open all the time.
Foreign exchange regulations
The following applies to travelers within the EU: Means of payment of 10,000 euros or more must be notified orally upon request by customs.
For travelers inside and outside the EU, there are no restrictions on the import or export of national and foreign currencies, but there is an obligation to declare cash from the equivalent of € 10,000 (including travelers checks, other currencies or checks made out to third parties).
Currency Exchange
In banks, savings banks, post offices and exchange offices. Cash is available around the clock at ATMs with ec / Maestro cards or international credit cards. There are also electronic exchange machines at airports and important train stations that change international currencies into euros.