German allergy card

Where the German card works

German is the everyday language in Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, and it is also spoken in most of Switzerland, in eastern Belgium and in Luxembourg, where each of those has its own entry in the builder.

• Germany
• Austria
• Belgium
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Switzerland

Each of these 6 destinations is its own choice in the builder. A One Language card covers the destination you pick; All Languages covers every one of them.

What should you ask about in German-speaking restaurants?

Germany

Ask about the ingredients and preparation in the dish you are actually ordering.

Austria

Schnitzel, strudel, dumplings, and pastries can have different recipes from one kitchen to another. Ask before ordering.

Switzerland

Swiss dishes and packaged products vary by canton and venue. Ask about the recipe and shared preparation.

Why written German beats spoken English

A written card gives the person taking your order something concrete to read and pass to the kitchen, which can help when pronunciation, noise, or a quick handoff makes a spoken request difficult. It is not a substitute for confirmation: show it before ordering, ask what is in the dish and how it is prepared, and do not order if the answers are unclear. Some venues may also have an Allergenkarte; use it as a starting point, not proof that cross-contact was controlled. That's the premise behind the translation card approach.

Allergen labelling in Germany

The EU FIC Regulation sets rules for emphasizing allergens in ingredient lists, while the separate EU gluten-free rule sets a limit for a gluten-free claim on packaged food. Read the full label and any precautionary statements; a supermarket frei von (free-from) shelf is not a substitute for checking the product itself.

Frequently asked questions

Do restaurants in Germany accept written allergy cards?

Many restaurants can read a written German allergy card, but acceptance and accommodation vary. Show it before ordering, ask about the recipe and preparation, and leave if staff cannot answer clearly. An Allergenkarte or packaged-label information can help, but neither is a cross-contact guarantee.

What do you get with the German allergy card?

A printable PDF with a cut-out card, plus an image sized for your phone, with every allergen you select written in German and English. German builds long compound words for ingredients, which are easy to mistranslate by hand, so the card prints the standard term. Cards with up to three allergens can also be added to Apple or Google Wallet.

Are mustard and celery worth naming in Germany?

If either is one of your allergens, yes. Both are used widely in German dressings, sauces, stocks and sausage seasoning, and both are easy to overlook when a card only lists the more familiar allergens. Name them explicitly rather than relying on a general phrase.