The table
| Subject | What the law says | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Hard drugs (cocaine, ecstasy, heroin) | possession is illegal, even for personal use (narcotics law, BtMG) | prison up to 5 years or a fine for possession |
| Cannabis | 25 g at most in public for an adult, no legal purchase for a tourist; see cannabis in Berlin | fine, prosecution above 30 g |
| Nazi symbols, Hitler salute | banned in public (section 86a of the criminal code) | prison up to 3 years or a fine |
| Holocaust denial | a criminal offence (section 130 of the criminal code) | prison up to 5 years or a fine |
| Travelling without a ticket | a criminal offence in law (section 265a), handled in practice as a €60 BVG fine | fine; prison up to 1 year provided by law |
| Knives and weapons | banned in public at Görlitzer Park, Kottbusser Tor and Leopoldplatz since 15 February 2025; flick knives and fixed blades over 12 cm banned | fine up to €10,000 in those zones, confiscation |
| Drones | operator registration required and no flying over the government district and many sensitive sites | fine, drone seized |
| Photos | photographing in public is allowed; publishing the face of an identifiable person without consent is not; signed military sites are off limits | civil or criminal complaint |
| Cash of €10,000 or more | must be declared when entering or leaving the EU | fine, cash seized |
| Antiques, ivory, coral | export permit outside the EU for cultural goods and protected species (CITES) | seizure at customs, prosecution |
What surprises people most
- Fare evasion: the inspector applies the €60 fine; the criminal law exists, but prosecutions mostly target repeat offenders. See transport in Berlin.
- Alcohol: beer and wine at 16, spirits at 18; drinking in the street is tolerated if you cause no nuisance, see alcohol in the street.
- Nudity: outside designated naturist (FKK) areas, being naked in public can be a punishable nuisance, even a criminal offence if it amounts to exposure.
- ID: a foreigner must be able to prove their identity; keep your passport or a copy.
What if you get into trouble?
Call 112 in an emergency, and contact your consulate if you are arrested. For medical costs and repatriation, see travel insurance for Germany; for scams, scams to avoid.
