Girocard vs credit card, cash culture, and avoiding bank fees.
Why you need a girocard (and when a credit card fails)The girocard (formerly 'EC-Karte') is Germany's dominant debit card — many smaller shops, bakeries, and restaurants accept only girocard or cash, not Visa or Mastercard credit.
Cash is (still) king: ATMs and withdrawal strategyGermany remains unusually cash-heavy — flea markets, kiosks, some doctors' bills, and many restaurants outside big cities expect Bargeld. Withdrawing from the wrong ATM costs €4–6 per transaction.Bank fees and the expensive Dispo overdraftMany traditional banks charge monthly account fees (Kontoführungsgebühren) unless conditions are met, and the tolerated overdraft (Dispokredit) carries interest rates of 10–13% — one of the most expensive ways to borrow in Germany.