Do You Need a Plug Adapter for Germany?

Are you traveling to Berlin or other parts of Germany, and you’re wondering about your electronics? Well, if you’re coming from North America, or several other parts of the world, you’ll need to bring a plug adapter for Germany.

What about a power converter for Germany? That depends on what types of electronics or appliances you’re bringing on your trip to Germany.

In this post, I will explain everything you need to know about electric plug adapters for Germany, whether or not you need a converter, and any other questions you might have about electricity and plugs in Berlin and Germany.

Info about Germany plug adapters, converters, and voltage

I’m not an electrician, but I’ve traveled all over the world, and I’ve lived in both the US and now in Germany. Understanding the voltage and plug differences is important when you’re going to another part of the world.

Here’s all the info you need about the voltage in Germany and the plug type in Germany. Plus I’ll explain about plug adapters and power converters so you’ll know what you need to bring on your trip to Germany.

>>Read: What to Wear & What to Pack for Germany: Ultimate Germany Travel Packing List

What is the voltage in Germany?

Germany uses different electrical voltage than the US does. Standard voltage in Germany is 230V voltage and 50Hz, whereas standard voltage in the USA is 120V voltage and 60Hz.

This means you can’t just use your American electronics in Europe without doing anything to convert the voltage.

Luckily most electronics are built to convert the voltage themselves these days. Take a look at the label, does it say something like, “100-240V, 50/60Hz”?

This means your appliance will work with North American voltage and Germany’s voltage. Most things, like your phone, tablet, laptop, camera battery charger, etc., will convert the voltage, and you can use them safely in both locations without a converter.

But there are some appliances, like standard hair dryers, curling irons, and hair straighteners, that do not convert voltage.

Basically we’re talking about dual voltage appliances vs single voltage appliances. And that’s important because it determines whether or not you need a converter. More on that below.

What is the plug type in Germany?

The other important difference between Germany and North America is the plug style. Germany uses two different plug types: type C and type F.

Type F is more modern and more common. It has two round pegs and two grounding clips on the sides.

Type C is an older type you’re unlikely to encounter much these days. It has two round pegs but no grounding pins or clips.

The USA (and the rest of North America) also has two plug types, type A and type B. Plug type A has two flat parallel pins, and plug type B has two flat parallel pins plus a grounding pin.

These won’t fit into electrical outlets in Germany, which require round pins. This is why you need a plug adapter for Germany and the rest of Europe if you’re traveling.

So if you’re buying a plug adapter for Germany, type C or type F will work, although type C is probably the better choice. You’ll commonly see type C plug converters for Europe because they work with most European countries. (Note: UK, Ireland, and a couple other countries use different types.)

Plug type F is round, while type C is skinny and oblong. So if you buy a type C adapter, it will fit in a type F plug, but not always the other way around.

For a more universal option, you should get a type C plug adapter for Germany and most other countries in Europe.

This adapter has a European type that works for Germany and most other European countries. They also have a Germany option (it says type E/F) if that appeals to you more, but it might not fit into type C electrical outlets in Germany or other European countries.

>>Read: 101 Fun and Essential Things to do in Berlin

Dual voltage vs single voltage electronics

Dual voltage electronics and appliances are those that are designed to convert voltage. They will function within a range of voltage, which means you can typically use them in the US and in Germany and the rest of Europe.

Single voltage electronics and appliances are not designed to convert voltage. They can only be used at certain voltage levels, meaning your American hair dryer can’t be used in Germany without a converter.

In the picture above, you can see the voltage info that shows 220-240V. This is my German hair dryer, so it’s designed to work with the voltage in Germany and wouldn’t work in the US.

Your US hair dryer likely shows a much lower voltage and would not work in Germany and the rest of Europe. That’s because it’s single voltage.

However, most of your electronics are dual voltage these days, but always check the labels. This includes laptops, phones, rechargeable camera batteries, tablets, etc.

Please don’t try to use a single voltage appliance without a converter. More info below, but the extra voltage can start a fire or short out the electrical system in the building.

>>Read: What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List

Adapters vs converters: what’s the difference?

So now hopefully you understand a little more about the voltage in Germany and electrical outlets in Germany. But you might still be wondering, what’s the difference between an adapter and a converter?

They are two different things, so it’s important to understand the difference. The two words are not interchangeable.

An adapter is the thing you need to make your American plug fit into a German electrical outlet. It adapts the plug style of your appliance to the plug type in Germany.

A converter is the thing that converts or changes the voltage, that way the higher voltage in Germany doesn’t fry your electronics.

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Do you need a power converter for Germany?

Most likely you won’t need a Germany power converter. This is because most of the electronics you own and will travel with already convert the voltage for you.

Of course you should check the label, but this is generally true of most laptops, tablets, phones, etc. If they say they’re dual voltage or they have 110-240V on the label, they are built to convert the voltage, and you don’t need a converter.

If you’re traveling with single voltage electronics, like a hair dryer or electric shaver or electric toothbrush, you would need a converter.

But there’s a catch: Single voltage hair dryers, hair straighteners, and curling irons don’t really work well at all with a converter. You’re much better off buying a dual voltage hair appliance if it’s important to you to travel with it.

Something like this dual voltage hair dryer is a better option than a single voltage one with a converter.

What if you don’t use a converter?

Again, most of your electronics won’t even require a converter.

But let’s say you do have something that doesn’t automatically convert the voltage. What would happen if you plugged it into an electrical outlet in Germany without a converter?

Remember, Germany uses higher voltage than the US. So since your American appliance is built for less voltage, the extra voltage is likely to fry your appliance, and it could even start a fire or short out the whole building.

Please don’t do this. If you have an appliance or electronic device that is single voltage, get a converter or buy a dual voltage version to travel with, like this highly rated dual voltage travel hair dryer.

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Will my plug adapter work in other European countries?

Most European countries use the same plug style as Germany and the same voltage as Germany. So if you buy a universal European plug adapter, you should be fine to use it for a trip to Europe.

The exceptions in Europe are UK, Ireland, Gibraltar, Malta, and Cyprus. These countries use plug type G, and you would need a different plug adapter if you’re traveling to any of these places.

Get plug adapters for Germany before your trip

Electronics stores in Germany will sell electric plug adapters for Germany, but you’ll find more of them that adapt a German plug type to someplace else in the world. They do sell North America to Germany plug adapters, but is that how you want to start your vacation?

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide to electricity, voltage, converters, and plug adapters for Germany is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!