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Moving to Hohenfels? Good news, many families find that day-to-day living can be more affordable than in many parts of the United States.
Groceries at local German stores are often less expensive, especially fresh bread, dairy products, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Eating at local restaurants can also be reasonably priced, while dining on post is like what you may be used to in the U.S.
Housing works a little differently. Most Soldiers and families are assigned to government housing or government-leased housing. If you qualify for a private rental, Overseas Housing Allowance helps cover eligible housing costs instead of BAH.
One thing to keep in mind is utilities. Electricity and heating can be more expensive than many Americans expect, so it's worth being mindful of your energy use.
Many service members stationed in Germany also receive Overseas Cost of Living Allowance, a non-taxable allowance designed to help offset higher costs for certain goods and services overseas.
Overall, with smart budgeting, many families enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in Hohenfels while taking advantage of the opportunity to explore Germany and the rest of Europe.
General Information
All personnel assigned to Germany must have a valid stateside driver's license to be eligible for a USAREUR driver's license and must obtain a USAREUR driver's license before operating a vehicle in Germany. Information on obtaining or renewing a USAREUR driver's license, as well as current driver-training requirements, is available through the USAG Bavaria Driver's License page. If you plan to drive your personal vehicle outside Germany, you may also need an International Driver's Permit in addition to your USAREUR driver's license.
Germany uses 230 volts and 50 Hz, compared with 120 volts and 60 Hz in the United States. U.S. electrical appliances normally operate on 120 volts and may be damaged if connected directly to a 230-volt outlet. Do not use a simple plug adapter to connect a 120-volt appliance to a 230-volt outlet. Use a 120-volt outlet, where available, or an appropriate 230V/120V transformer/converter. Some newer appliances are dual-voltage and can operate on either voltage; always check the appliance label before use.
The currency used in Germany is the Euro (€). It is recommended that incoming personnel have some Euros available upon arrival for incidental expenses, telephone calls, transportation, and other immediate needs.
Active-Duty personnel do not generally need a passport to enter Germany when traveling under their military orders and status. However, a valid passport is required for international travel to many other countries. U.S. citizens may obtain a passport while in Germany but obtaining one before leaving the United States may be easier. Passport and SOFA services are available through the USAG Bavaria Passport & SOFA Office.
The following records should be hand-carried rather than packed with household goods: orders; school records; DA Form 5888/EFMP documentation, when applicable; passports; driver's licenses; important bills and account information; addresses; birth certificates; marriage licenses; secondary access information for bank accounts; and documents needed to file income taxes. Family members seeking employment should bring educational records, certificates, licenses, and other relevant employment documentation.
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Exceptional Family Member Program: Required EFMP screening and applicable family-member travel screening must be completed before PCS travel to Germany. Families should ensure that all required documentation and processes are completed before departure. Additional assistance is available through the USAG Bavaria EFMP program.
If your dependents are not command sponsored, you cannot be assigned Government-controlled quarters until they are command sponsored. Contact your gaining unit and sponsor for assistance with command sponsorship requirements.
When calling Germany from the United States, dial 011-49, followed by the German area code without the initial 0 and the local number. From another European country, dial 0049, followed by the German area code without the initial 0.
Army Community Service Hohenfels:
ACS can assist with relocation information, community resources, employment and family support programs, financial readiness, newcomer assistance, and other services.
Pets
Before bringing a pet to Germany, personnel should review current U.S. Army, German and veterinary requirements. Pet owners are responsible for meeting all applicable import, vaccination, identification and registration requirements.
Certain dog breeds are restricted under German law and USAG Bavaria policy. Class I dogs, including Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa Inu, Bandog and applicable mixed breeds, are prohibited from entering and residing in Government-controlled housing in Germany. Class II breeds are subject to additional requirements, including a temperament assessment and local registration. Personnel should verify current requirements with the USAG Bavaria Veterinary Treatment Facility before making travel arrangements for a restricted breed.
For Army Family Housing, no more than two dogs or cats, or a combination of the two, are authorized per dwelling unit. Other domestic pets may be permitted subject to applicable regulations. Exotic pets are prohibited unless specifically authorized. Dogs and cats must be registered with the installation Veterinary Treatment Facility within the required timeframe after arrival or acquisition, and owners must maintain current vaccination records.
Pet owners should also be aware that pet policies may vary between Government-controlled housing and private/off-post housing. Always verify current requirements before bringing a pet to Germany.
Child Safety
Children under 12 years of age or shorter than 150 cm (4 feet 11 inches) must use an appropriate child restraint system. Child restraint systems must be approved under ECE-R 44/03, ECE-R 44/04, ECE-R 129, or applicable U.S. Department of Transportation standards, and must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Parents should verify that any child restraint brought from the United States meets the applicable requirements before arrival.
Relocating to USAG Bavaria
For additional information about relocating to USAG Bavaria, visit the USAG Bavaria Army Community Service webpage and the official USAG Bavaria Newcomers page. The Newcomers page provides current information on sponsorship, EFMP, travel documents, pets, housing, schools, transportation, driver's licenses, installation access, medical services and in-processing.
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of War. Every installation has a special DSN number, and the numbers vary by world-wide location. To place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 314 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included.
For more information, visit https://home.army.mil/bavaria/.
If you have questions about USAG Bavaria Hohenfels Community or relocating to the Hohenfels community, visit the USAG Bavaria ACS website.
The USAG Bavaria installation in Hohenfels consists of one installation. It is about an hour south of Grafenwoehr and Vilseck and about two and a half hours north of Garmisch. USAG Bavaria - Hohenfels includes the Hohenfels Training Area, which is 163 km2 large. It provides premier installation management support and services that enhance the readiness of joint and multinational forces, ensures the highest level of quality of life in a secure and sustainable environment, and enables soldiers to soldiers, leaders to lead, and families to grow. It supports two primary mission partners: The Joint Multinational Readiness Center and the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment.
Hohenfels takes its name from the rock formations prevalent in the area and is literally translated as high rock or high cliff. The area was requisitioned for use as a U.S. Army training area in 1951. The Hohenfels Joint Multinational Readiness Center is part of the Seventh Army Joint Multinational Training Command. Covering 40,000 acres, Hohenfels is the second largest maneuver area available to U.S. troops in Europe. Go to the https://www.7atc.army.mil/JMRC/ webpage for more information.
Hohenfels (meaning High Cliff) municipality is in the district of Neumarkt in the region of Upper Palatinate, German Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. The town is host to the United States Army Garrison Bavaria Hohenfels Training Area.
Population: 2,295
USAG Bavaria Hohenfels Community supports, on average, 9,111 personnel. These include active-duty military, U.S. civilian employees, local national employees, and family members.
United States Army Garrison Bavaria - Hohenfels Training Area is in Germany, approximately 45 miles southwest of USAG Bavaria Grafenwoehr Community, and less than 60 miles from the Czech Republic border. It is in Neumarkt County in the Upper Palatinate district in the German state of Bavaria.
If you have questions or desire information on grave sites and memorials within Europe, visit the American Battle Monuments Commission. For further information visit https://home.army.mil/bavaria/.
Airports
USAG Bavaria is served by three major international airports located in Nuremberg, Munich, and Frankfurt.
Nuremberg Airport: approximately 45–60 minutes from Hohenfels
Munich Airport: approximately 1.5–2 hours from Hohenfels
Frankfurt Airport: approximately 3 hours from Hohenfels
Travel times can vary depending on traffic and road conditions.
Active-duty Soldiers arriving through Ramstein Air Base may be processed there and transported by bus to their assigned duty station. Please refer to the appropriate Check-In Procedures information for additional details.
Nuremberg Airport to Hohenfels — By Car
From Nuremberg Airport, follow signs for the Autobahn A3 toward Regensburg.
Take the A3 toward Regensburg and continue south/east. Approximately 50 km from Nuremberg, take the exit for Parsberg.
After exiting the A3, follow the signs toward Hohenfels.
Continue toward Hohenfels. You will reach the installation area and Gate 5. Gate 5 provides access to the Hohenfels installation.
Important: Gate access and hours may change. Check the current USAG Bavaria Gate Information before traveling.
Munich Airport to Hohenfels — By Car
From Munich Airport, follow signs for A92/A9 toward Nürnberg (Nuremberg).
Continue toward the A9 Nürnberg and then follow the A3 toward Regensburg.
Take the Parsberg exit from the A3 and follow the signs toward Hohenfels.
Continue toward the installation and follow the appropriate gate signage.
Allow additional travel time during peak traffic periods.
Frankfurt Airport to Hohenfels — By Car
From Frankfurt Airport, take the A3 toward Würzburg/Nürnberg (Nuremberg).
Continue on the A3 toward Regensburg.
Take the Parsberg exit and follow the signs toward Hohenfels.
Train Travel to Hohenfels
There is no train station directly on the Hohenfels installation.
The nearest train station for travelers arriving by rail is Parsberg.
Travelers arriving at Nuremberg or Munich Airport can use public transportation to reach the German railway network and continue to Parsberg.
From Parsberg, travelers will need to arrange a taxi or an authorized pickup to Hohenfels.
For current train schedules and ticket information, use the official German railway website, Deutsche Bahn. USAG Bavaria also directs newcomers to its DB Railway information under Local Transportation.
Important Information
Before traveling to Hohenfels, verify:
Current Hohenfels gate information is available through USAG Bavaria.
A shuttle bus service does operate between key installation services. A limited shuttle bus service does operate between the base and surrounding towns where government leased quarters are located.
There are shuttle buses available on post. Please see the following website for information.