If you’re standing at a bakery in Berlin or a kiosk in Munich, you’re using the Euro. It’s the official currency. Everyone knows that, right? But honestly, the answer to what is the German money called actually depends on who you ask and how far back you want to look. For most of us, it’s just that crisp bill with a bridge on it or the heavy 2-Euro coin with the federal eagle on the back.
Germany has been using the Euro since January 1, 2002. It was a massive deal. People literally queued up at banks to get their "Starter Kits" of the new coins. I remember stories of grandmothers hoarding their old coins because they didn't trust the new "Teuro"—a play on the German word teuer, meaning expensive. They weren't entirely wrong; prices felt like they jumped overnight.
The Euro: More than just a name
The Euro (symbol: €; code: EUR) is the lifeblood of the German economy. It’s split into 100 cents. Simple. But here is the thing: German coins aren't exactly the same as French or Italian ones. While the "heads" side of the Euro is standardized across the Eurozone, the "tails" side—the national side—is uniquely German.
If you look at a German 1-Euro or 2-Euro coin, you’ll see the Bundesadler. That’s the federal eagle. It’s a symbol of sovereignty that has been around in various forms for centuries. The 10, 20, and 50-cent pieces feature the Brandenburg Gate. It represents unity. Then you’ve got the 1, 2, and 5-cent copper coins which show an oak twig. This was a throwback to the old Pfennig coins.
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Why the name matters
In Germany, people take their money seriously. Very seriously. Cash is still king here, though that’s finally starting to shift post-2020. You’ll still find plenty of "Nur Bargeld" (Cash Only) signs in small cafes or rural gas stations. When you ask what is the German money called, you’re also asking about a culture that values physical currency over digital swipes.
Before the Euro: The Deutsche Mark era
You can't talk about German money without mentioning the Deutsche Mark (DM). For many Germans, the "Mark" wasn't just money. It was a symbol of the Wirtschaftswunder—the economic miracle after World War II. It represented stability.
The Mark was introduced in 1948, replacing the old Reichsmark which had become basically worthless due to hyperinflation. When the Mark arrived, it changed everything. It was a hard currency. People trusted it. To this day, the Deutsche Bundesbank estimates that billions of Marks are still sitting in drawers, under mattresses, or lost in old coat pockets.
Interestingly, you can still exchange them. If you find a stash of old Marks in your grandad's attic, the central bank will still swap them for Euros at a fixed rate of roughly 1.95583 DM to 1 Euro. That rate hasn't changed in over twenty years.
The weird history of East German money
Germany wasn't always one country with one wallet. Between 1949 and 1990, the East had its own thing going on. In the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the money was also called the Mark, but it was the Mark der DDR.
People called it the "Ostmark" (East Mark) to differentiate it from the Western "D-Mark." It wasn't traded on international markets. It was "funny money" in a way—valuable inside the Berlin Wall but useless outside it. When the wall fell, the currency union of 1990 was one of the most dramatic economic shifts in history. Suddenly, East Germans could trade their Ostmarks for the powerful Western D-Mark. It was a chaotic, emotional time that redefined what German money meant to millions.
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Small change and big problems
In the old days, the Mark was divided into Pfennigs. Today, we have cents. But if you talk to an older German, they might still accidentally call a 5-cent piece a "Groschen." It’s an old term for a 10-pfennig coin. Language lingers longer than the coins do.
What you need to know for your trip
If you’re heading to Germany, don’t expect to pay for a 2-Euro coffee with a credit card in every shop. It’s getting better, but cash is ingrained in the psyche.
- Banknotes: They come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200. The 500-Euro note exists but it's being phased out to stop money laundering. Most shops won't even take a 100-Euro bill for a small purchase.
- Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and 1 and 2 Euro coins.
- The "Teuro" effect: Be aware that rounding is common. If something is 1.99, just give them the 2 Euros.
Real-world spending tips
Most travelers make the mistake of relying on "Plastic." In Berlin, you’re usually fine. In a small village in the Black Forest? Good luck. Always carry at least 50 Euros in physical cash.
Also, watch out for the "EC-Karte." Germans love their Girocards. Sometimes a shop will say "Cards accepted," but they actually mean local German debit cards, not your international Visa or Mastercard. It’s a frustrating quirk of the German banking system that even locals find annoying sometimes.
The future of the money in Germany
Is the "Digital Euro" coming? Probably. The European Central Bank (ECB), which is based in Frankfurt, is looking into it. Germany is the heavy hitter in the Eurozone, so whatever happens in Frankfurt dictates the wallet of someone in Lisbon or Tallinn.
Despite the tech push, Germany remains the most "cash-heavy" major economy in Europe. There’s a deep-seated desire for privacy. Many Germans feel that digital money is too easy to track. They like the anonymity of a 20-Euro bill.
Actionable steps for handling money in Germany
- Get a no-fee ATM card: Use a bank like Charles Schwab or a fintech like Revolut to avoid the nasty 5-Euro "foreign transaction" fees at German ATMs (Geldautomaten).
- Avoid Euronet ATMs: You’ll see these bright blue and yellow machines everywhere in tourist areas. They charge insane fees. Stick to bank-affiliated machines like Sparkasse, Commerzbank, or Deutsche Bank.
- Learn the coins: The 1 and 2 Euro coins look similar at a glance but have different edges. The 2-Euro coin is slightly larger and has "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit" (Unity and Justice and Freedom) inscribed on the rim.
- Always carry coins for toilets: This is a weird German reality. Many public restrooms or highway stops require a 50-cent or 70-cent coin to enter. No coin, no entry.
Understanding what is the German money called is simple on the surface—it’s the Euro. But beneath that name is a history of hyperinflation trauma, cold war division, and a modern, stubborn love for the feel of paper and metal in your hand. When you pay for your bratwurst, look at that eagle on the coin. It’s a lot of history for such a small piece of metal.
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For your next move, check your current bank's international withdrawal limits before you fly into Frankfurt or Munich. Most travelers get hit with a surprise block on their first day because they didn't notify their fraud department. Grab a small "Portemonnaie" (wallet) with a good coin pouch; you’re going to need it more than you think.