Travel comparison
France vs Germany
A side-by-side look at the practical travel essentials for France and Germany — power, safety, money and getting around — so you can plan or choose between them quickly.
Quick answer
Traveling between France and Germany, you likely won't need a plug adapter, and a voltage converter is generally not needed for dual-voltage chargers.
| Detail | France | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Power plug | Type C/E | Type C/F |
| Voltage | 230V | 230V |
| Frequency | 50Hz | 50Hz |
| Emergency (general) | 112 | 112 |
| Police | 17 | 110 |
| Ambulance | 15 (SAMU) | 112 |
| Tap water | Generally safe | Generally safe |
| Driving side | Right | Right |
| Currency | Euro (EUR, €) | Euro (EUR, €) |
| Dialing code | +33 | +49 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST) | UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Best season | Late spring and early autumn bring warm days, long light and thinner crowds. July and August are peak tourist months, while many smaller businesses outside resort areas may take summer holidays. | May to September is best for city trips, outdoor dining and festivals. December is popular for Christmas markets, while spring and early autumn usually have better hotel value than peak summer. |
Full brief
France travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for France.
Full brief
Germany travel essentials
Plugs, emergency numbers, tap water, tipping and more for Germany.