Banking System: Some of the top banks, which have a presence in Dortmund city, are Citibank AG, Deutsche Bank AG, Dresdner Bank AG, Sparkasse Dortmund, Norisbank, BFG Bank AG, and Commerzbank AG. The best way to get Euros in Germany is to put your ATM card into an ATM machine. However, your ATM card should have a 4-digit PIN number. The bank charges a small fee and the rate of exchange is calculated using the bank's middle rate. It is usually better than the exchange rate that you get at exchange offices or banks. In this link, you will also find the list of Visa and MasterCard ATMs in Dortmund. If you go to the ATM of the same bank in which you have an account, the use of the ATM is free. The business times for German banks are, as a rule, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and till 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. The following web page is in German language, but you can still note down the address and phone numbers of the banks from here.
Currency Exchange: While you are in a foreign country, you have to buy the goods and services in the currency of the country that you are in. The currency of your native land is no good here. You can exchange currency at one of the numerous banks or currency exchange brokers in the foreign country.
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The best way to get Euros is to withdraw cash using your ATM card from an ATM. The exchange rate that the ATMs calculate is the most favorable one, compared to banks and currency exchange brokers. Currency exchange brokers are found readily at the airport and the railway stations.
Health System: The medical care provided in Germany is of a very high standard. If you do fall ill while you are in Dortmund city, some of the good hospitals of Dortmund where you can be assured of the best medical care, are Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bethanien, Huttenhospital Dortmund-Horde, and St. Johannes Hospital Dortmund. Most doctors and hospitals demand immediate payment for the medical services provided from patients who are not permanent residents of Germany. Thus, it would be a good idea to have enough cash handy to pay for the services of the doctor or the hospital. Of course, not being able to speak German language would also cause some discomfort. But, English is widely spoken in all areas in Germany, so you won't have much of a problem.
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