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Germany is renowned for its high standard of living, efficient public transportation, and excellent healthcare. Indeed, Germany ranks above average in the Better Life Index in terms of quality of life and well-being. Yet, despite these high standards, shopping bills in major German cities are often significantly less than in other major European cities, so the cost of living in Germany is lower than in other major European cities such as Paris, London, Rome, Brussels, and Zurich.
The cost of living in Germany naturally depends on your lifestyle and the city or area you live in, but typically the Cost of Living for the immediate area is one of the lower ones in Germany.
General information
All personnel assigned to Germany must have in their possession a valid stateside license to be eligible for USAREUR 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 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 ten minutes every hour, in other words, they don't work. Most appliances with heating elements (toaster and irons) operate satisfactorily with a transformer. U.S. 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.
The German currency is the Euro. It is recommended that all incoming personnel have some Euros upon arrival for incidental expenses, telephone calls, etc.
Active Duty do not need a passport to travel to Germany, however, you will need a 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 U.S. citizen you can obtain a passport while here, but it is easier to obtain one while you are still in CONUS.
The following records should be hand-carried: Orders, school records, soldiers with family members on accompanied assignments-DA form 5888 (EFMP Screening), passports, driver’s license, bills, addresses, birth certificates, marriage licenses, secondary access to your bank accounts and items needed to file income taxes. Family members seeking a job need to bring educational documentation.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) -- Screening must be completed before you PCS to Germany.
If your dependents are not command sponsored, you cannot be assigned quarters until you are command sponsored.
International dialing from the U.S is 011 followed by the country code 49 and then the area code (minus the first zero). ACS Hohenfels at 09472-708-4860 would be 011-49-9472-708-4860.
There are several dogs (Bull-Terrier, Staffordshire-Bullterriers) that come under the “Dangerous Dogs” law, and they are not permitted to be brought into country. See “Pets” topic for a detailed discussion of allowable pets.
All child car seats must meet European standards ECE-44 used and if you buy one it must be UN Reg. 129.
If you have questions about USAG Bavaria or relocating to the USAG Bavaria community, visit the USAG Bavaria Army Community Service Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USAGbavariaACS.
Germany has a dangerous dog ordinance.
If you have questions about USAG Bavaria Hohenfels Community or relocating to the Hohenfels community, visit the USAG Bavaria ACS Facebook page.
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense. 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/
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 soldier, 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.
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.
Hohenfels (literally High Cliffs municipality 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 Hohenfels,
Population. (2023-12-31). • Total, 2,358
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 primary international airports located in the cities of Frankfurt, Munich, and Nurnberg. The Frankfurt airport is approximately a 3-hour drive, Munich is approximately a 1-1 ½ hour drive, and Nurnberg's airport is approximately 45 minutes from Hohenfels. Typically, all Soldiers will arrive in Ramstein Airbase and be in-processed into Germany. You will then board a bus that will take you to your assigned duty station. Please refer to the Check-In Procedures section for more information. If arriving with pets, your pets will be brought to you by your airline carrier in the baggage claim area, prior to proceeding through customs.
Nurnberg Airport to Hohenfels by Car
The Nurnberg Airport is located approximately 45 minutes from the Hohenfels Training Area. To get to Hohenfels from the airport, head in the direction of Autobahn 3 and take the exit toward Regensburg. In approximately 50 km you will see an exit for Parsberg; you will also see an Esso Gas Station and a McDonalds. Take this exit and at the end of the exit ramp take a right toward Hohenfels. In approximately 12 km you will see sign for Gate 5. This gate will take on the back road through the box onto post. If you continue past Gate 5 in approximately 2 km you will come to Gate 1, which is the main entrance to post. Nurnberg Airport Contact Information: 011-49-911-9-37-00.
Frankfurt Airport to Hohenfels by Car
The Frankfurt International Airport is approximately 3 hours from the Hohenfels Training Area. To get to Hohenfels take Autobahn 3 toward Nurnberg. Follow the directions above to get to Hohenfels from the Nurnberg Airport. Frankfurt Airport Contact Information: 011-49-180-637-24636.
Munich Airport to Hohenfels by Car
The Munich Airport is approximately 2 hours from the Hohenfels Training Area. To get to Hohenfels, leave the airport in the direction of Munich. Take the second Autobahn exit in the direction of Nurnberg/Berlin. This will be Autobahn 9. In approximately 25 minutes the Autobahn divides. Follow Autobahn 93 in the direction of Regensburg. Once you reach Regensburg look for signs to Autobahn 3. Take Autobahn 3 towards Nurnberg. In approximately 50 km you will see and exit for Parsberg, you will also see an Esso Gas Station and a McDonalds. Take this exit and at the end of the ramp take a right toward Hohenfels. In approximately 12 km you will see a sign for Gate 5. If you continue past Gate 5 approximately 2 km you will come to Gate 1, which is the main entrance to the installation. Munich Airport Contact Information: 011-49-89-97500.
Frankfurt Airport to Hohenfels by Train
The train station is located under the airport. To get to Hohenfels you will need to purchase a ticket to Parsberg. Once you get to Parsberg, you will have to take a taxi to Hohenfels or arrange for someone to pick you up. The Parsberg train station is approximately 15 km from Hohenfels.
Munich/Nurnberg Airport to Hohenfels by Train
The train stations are located a few miles from the airport. You will need to catch a bus or get a taxi to the train station. Once at the train station you will need to purchase a ticket to Parsberg. Once you get to Parsberg, you will have to take a taxi to Hohenfels or arrange for someone to pick you up. The train station is approximately 15 km from Hohenfels.
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.
011-49-94-728-3113 or DSN 592-1140