• Official Language
The official language of the congress is English.

• General Information on Visa
If you need to apply for a visa or are unsure, please consult the website of the German Federal Foreign Office here.
Each German embassy or consulate provides detailed information in the “Visa” section of its website, where you can find the requirements for your country of residence.
If you require an invitation or acceptance letter for visa or other purposes, please send us an email.

• Time
Germany operates on Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1) and 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the United States.
During summer (Daylight Saving Time), clocks are set one hour forward (CEST, GMT+2).
Official times such as shop hours or train schedules are usually indicated using the 24-hour clock (e.g., 7:30 pm = 19:30).

• Weather
In July, Berlin experiences warm summer weather with an average temperature of around 23–25°C, with daytime highs often reaching 27–30°C and nighttime lows around 15–17°C.
Rain showers and occasional thunderstorms can occur, but long periods of sunshine are common.
Light, breathable clothing is recommended, along with a light jacket or umbrella for cooler or rainy days.

• Money
The Euro (€) is the official currency in Germany.
Money can be exchanged at banks, currency exchange offices, or at airports and major train stations.
Common credit and debit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger stores.
Smaller shops and cafés may prefer cash or EC cards (debit cards). Banks are typically open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, though hours may vary. 
ATMs (“Geldautomaten”) are available 24 hours a day.

• Electricity
Electric sockets in Germany are designed for Type C and Type F plugs with 220–230V AC, 50 Hz.
Visitor from countries using other plug types will require an adapter, and possibly a voltage converter for certain devices.

• Water
Tap water in Germany is safe to drink and of very high quality throughout the country.