JOIN BERLIN - Advice & Information

Berlin is quite a safe city, where one can walk calmly at night. Still, as in any other urban environments, petty crime exists. If staying in Berlin for more than 5 days, it’s a good idea to register with your embassy, just in case something happens.

Crowded touristy areas and public transportation -especially the U-Bahn and Bahnhof Zoo- are pickpockets’ favorites. Although harmless, gypsies frequent touristy areas and beg for money, their stories are usually fake, don’t let them trick you. When you are at any of these places, just exercise common sense: keep your passport in a safe place, don’t carry lots of cash altogether or wear visibly expensive jewelry. Wearing a money belt is a smart choice.

Watch your bags when at big train stations or when using public transportation, especially during rush hours. Most U/S-Bahn stations have guards and panic buttons: red bells labeled 'SOS/Notruf/Information'. If you travel alone at night, choose the car / seat behind the driver in the train / bus, respectively.

When at a restaurant or cafe, don’t leave your purse / bag / luggage unattended, i.e. hanging in the back of a chair. It is better to keep your stuff under the table.

Nationwide, dial 112 for fire or medical emergencies, and 110 for the police (polizei). Ambulances (Rettungswagen) are white and orange vans, while police vans are usually white and green. Do not try to bribe Berlin policemen, they are not corrupt and will arrest you while background checking on you.

Stay away from the Oranienstraße/Mariannenplatz area in Kreuzberg on May 1st (Labor Day) as there are chances of small riots occurring. Avoid drugs, as you can’t really know their exact contents. Racial crimes aren’t frequent, but are more possible in the outskirts of Eastern Berlin (Lichtenberg, Hellersdorf, Marzahn, Treptow and Köpenick). No matter your skin color, run away from any 'white skins' (skinheads wearing jackboots with white boot laces) if they head your way.

For more information about safety or other Berlin tips, contact us  and we will gladly send you further material about any subject of your interest. We will e-mail this information at no cost within 72 hours and it will be specific to your requirements

Welcome!