Useful German accessibility phrases

Open with this when you arrive at a venue or check-in desk so staff can reach for the right entrance and discount.

Stufenlos means without steps. Barrierefrei (barrier-free) is the broader accessibility term and is also widely used.

Aufzug or Fahrstuhl both mean lift. Rolltreppe is escalator, which is a different thing.

Barrierefrei is the standard German word for accessible. Staff understand it instantly.

Rollstuhlgerecht (wheelchair-suitable) is the specific term. Behindertentoilette (disabled toilet) is also common on signage.

Ebenerdig means at ground level. Bodengleiche Dusche (floor-level shower) is the term you will see on hotel-room descriptions.

Behindertengerecht (adapted for disabled use) is the standard hotel-industry term. Some chains use rollstuhlgerecht (wheelchair-suitable) for stricter ADA-style rooms.

Germany issues the Schwerbehindertenausweis to residents. For visitors, the European Disability Card or your national disability ID is accepted at most major venues.

Holders of a Schwerbehindertenausweis marked with Merkzeichen B are entitled to a free companion on most transport and at most attractions. Visitors with a similar national mark are usually granted the same on request.

Emergency number for medical help is 112 (also pan-European, fire, and ambulance). For police, 110. Hearing-impaired emergency via the Nora app on a smartphone.

Pair with a local rental or repair search to find same-day help. In Berlin, ask hotel concierges or call BVG customer service for a referral.

Look for the red A symbol. Larger pharmacies often rent out manual wheelchairs and stock incontinence products. Out-of-hours pharmacies are listed in the Notdienst rotation displayed on every pharmacy door.

In Berlin, ask for an Inklusionstaxi via the city scheme (book by phone via Taxi Berlin or Würfelfunk). Regular taxis are not wheelchair-accessible.

Every BVG city bus in Berlin has a ramp. Signal the driver as the bus arrives by raising your hand and pointing at the centre door, where the ramp deploys.

In Berlin, the U5 (along Unter den Linden) is largely step-free. Other lines are partial; check the BVG accessibility map for the current per-station status.

On Deutsche Bahn main-line trains, register with the Mobilitätsservice-Zentrale by 20:00 the day before travel (24 hours for journeys abroad).

Fahrkarte and Fahrschein also mean ticket. On most BVG and DB ticket machines, English is one button away.

German barrier-free hotel rooms typically have 80 to 90 cm doorways. Older protected buildings in Berlin Mitte and Munich Altstadt may not meet the standard.

Many German barrier-free rooms have a bodengleiche Dusche (floor-level shower) with grab bars. Always confirm in writing before booking.

A common Berlin and Munich pattern: ground-floor dining room, basement-only toilet down a steep staircase. Always confirm both.

Follow with glutenfrei (gluten-free), Meeresfrüchte (shellfish), Erdnüsse (peanuts), or Laktose (dairy).

Berlin is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in Europe. Most cafes have at least one vegan main on the menu.

Service is not automatically included in Germany. Round up or add 5 to 10 percent for good service; tell the server the total amount as you hand over cash or card.

Speisekarte is the menu of dishes. Karte alone usually works too.

Tap water is rarely served by default in German restaurants; you must ask. Many places will offer sparkling (mit Kohlensäure) or still (ohne Kohlensäure) bottled water instead.

Use until about 18:00. After that, switch to Guten Abend. In Bavaria, Grüß Gott replaces Guten Tag.

Bitte is also the response to Danke (you are welcome) and the prompt for repetition (sorry, what was that?).

Danke schön or vielen Dank are warmer and more emphatic.

Bitte schön is the short reply. Gern geschehen (gladly done) is warmer.

Use to get attention or to apologise after bumping someone. Tschuldigung is the casual short form.

Tschüss is the casual goodbye, common in Berlin and northern Germany. Servus is used in Bavaria and Austria.

The standard closing for any shop, hotel, or restaurant interaction.