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Ansbach offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger German cities, but it’s still notably higher than many parts of the United States. While USAG Ansbach personnel receive Cost of Living Allowance to offset these expenses, the amount may not fully cover all lifestyle choices, particularly for larger families or those residing in off-post housing. Groceries, transportation (especially car ownership), and leisure activities also contribute to a higher overall cost of living, requiring careful budgeting and financial planning for service members and their families stationed in the area to maintain a comparable standard of living to what you might experience stateside.
Grocery costs can range for a single person between €250 - €400 per month, for a couple between €400 - €600 per month and a family of four between €600 - €1000+ per month. You can plan for recreational activities to range between €200 - €400 per month for a few restaurant meals, occasional museum visits, and participation in local clubs or activities. Travel expenses can cost around €50 - €200 per month if you are taking day trips to Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or other nearby towns. If you are planning on international travel (within Europe) you can plan to pay approximately €200 - €1000+ per month depending on frequency and destination.
International dialing from the United States is 011 followed by the country code 49 then the area code minus the first zero. For example, the Army Community Service phone number dialing from Germany is 0611-143-587-2121. Dialing from the United States is 011-49-611-143-587-2121.
All personnel assigned to Germany must have in their possession a valid stateside license to be eligible for United States Army Europe licensing and must have a USAREUR license to operate vehicles.
The electrical current in Europe is 220 volts, 50 cycles compared to 110 volts, 60 cycles in the United States. A transformer is a device that converts 110v electrical currents into 220v electrical currents. These devices allow one to use American appliances. You must use caution when using 110 volts, 60 cycles appliances here in Germany. For example, clocks operate at 5/6 the normal speed. This means they lose 10 minutes every hour. In other words, they don't work. Most appliances with heating elements like toaster and irons operate satisfactorily with a transformer. American microwaves, when operated by transformer, will eventually burn out. You may find it easier to use appliances that will not require a large transformer, such as a coffee maker or hair dryer, and purchase 220 volt appliances in Europe. These items may be sold at the military exchange or the thrift shop for a fraction of their original cost.
Active-duty service members do not need a tourist passport to travel to Germany, however, you will need a tourist passport to travel to other countries. Once you are here, you may get the opportunity to travel to other countries and will wish you had one. If you are a United States citizen, you can obtain a passport while here, but it is easier to obtain one while you are still in CONUS.
Exceptional Family Member Program screening must be completed before you undergo a permanent change of station move to Germany.
If your dependents are not command sponsored, you cannot be assigned quarters until you are command sponsored.
All child car seats must meet European standards ECE-44/03 or ECE 44/04. Children need a booster or car seat until 12 years of age. If your child is under 12 and shorter than 150 centimeters (about 59 inches), they must be in a car seat or booster seat. If they are under 12 and 150 centimeters or taller, they must use a seat belt just like all adults. No booster seats are allowed. If they are 12 or older, regardless of height, they must use a seat belt (no boosters). Children under 12 years old may sit in front only if the back seats are occupied by children.
United States Army Garrison Ansbach integrates and delivers superior infrastructure and services for our community and readiness for our forces to support United States Army Europe-Africa.
Vision
USAG Ansbach - a garrison that capitalizes on the cohesiveness of our community to steward our resources and multiply our impact for 2030 and beyond.
Installation Overview
The entire garrison is composed of several different installations including Bismarck Kaserne, Barton Barracks, Bleidorn Kaserne, Franken Kaserne, Katterbach Kaserne, Oberdachstetten Training Area, Shipton Kaserne, Storck Barracks and Urlas Kaserne.
Ansbach has a long history of being a garrison town dating back to 1863 with the formation of a regiment of “Bier-Ulanen” or “Beer Lancers.” These “Beer Lancers” served in the royal Bavarian army until after World War I when they were absorbed into the army of the new German Republic. The German government would later build the original airfields at Katterbach and Illesheim in the 1930s along with the railhead systems that are still available for use to this day.
After World War II and with the onset of the Cold War, the Ansbach area saw a buildup of American forces including elements of the 4th Armored Division, and then the 1st Armored Division who would make their headquarters at Hindenburg Kaserne, which was located at the current site of the Brücken Center downtown.
After the end of the Cold War in the 1990s, the garrison has continued to transform and grow and today is home to:
The garrison population is comprised of soldiers, family members, civilians, retirees and host nation partners living throughout the footprint. The population of the city of Ansbach is approximately 42,300 residents. The surrounding district of Landkreis Ansbach's population is about 187,633.
United States Army Garrison Ansbach is unique because it is not a single, centralized base. Instead, the garrison footprint is spread across nine distinct installations distributed between the city of Ansbach and the nearby town of Illesheim. This area is located in Middle Franconia in the northern part of Bavaria. The city of Ansbach is approximately 26 miles southwest of Nuremberg. Illesheim is located approximately 15 miles north of Ansbach. Ansbach is highly recognized as a historic military and garrison town with a rich history of hosting military forces dating back hundreds of years.
You can contact the garrison for more information.
There are two primary airports in the region that handle the vast majority of commercial passenger traffic. You can use the Deutsche Bahn railway system to get directly from the airports to the city of Ansbach, or you travel with a privately-owned vehicle.
Driving from Nuremberg Airport to Katterbach Kaserne:
Time: Approximately 55 minutes.
Driving from Munich Airport to Katterbach Kaserne:
Time: Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.
For GPS coordinates to other USAG Ansbach Kasernes, click here.
The Ansbach Logistics Readiness Center (LRC) operates two (2) shuttle routes in the USAG Ansbach Community. One shuttle runs between Barton Barracks, Bleidorn Barracks, Shipton Kaserne, Urlas Kaserne, Katterbach Kaserne, and Bismarck Kaserne; the other shuttle runs between Storck Barracks and Urlas Kaserne.
Shuttles run Mondays through Fridays and do not run on U.S. or German holidays. All passengers must present ID cards or installation passes, without exception. Shuttles are open to all community members, but Soldiers have priority.
LRC can be contacted at CIV: +49 (0)9641-70-587-3080 or DSN: 587-3080.
To reach a base operator please call:
Commercial (from off the installation): +49 (0)9641 70 5921140
From a DSN Phone: 314-592-1140 or simply press 0 on the DSN Phone to be connected
For more contact numbers please refer to the Garrison Phone Book