American visitors are strongly advised to have travel insurance, in case emergency medical care in needed. 

Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required for entry into Germany.

Be aware that there is a small risk of contracting Lyme disease or viral meningoencephalitis from ticks during spring and early summer.  The following areas are affected; Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, as well as certain regions within Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia.  Not every tick bite leads to infection but it’s best to protect yourself when in and around ground-covering vegetation by wearing clothing that covers as much of the skin as possible.

Insurance
Don’t leave home without it!  Accidents happen – and they can happen in the strangest places at the strangest times, like on the side of a mountain in the rugged mountains or in an alley in Berlin at 3 am.  Travel insurance can cover you for all sorts of mishaps during your travel, and even before you leave.  Did you know up to 25% of all insurance claims are due to cancellation of travel?

Safety and security
Take all the normal precautions regarding your personal safety and the safety of your belongings.  Most incidents of street crime consist of theft of unattended items and pick-pocketing, and you should also be extra vigilant at airports, railway stations and markets.