Do you want to buy the iPhone in Germany? Then you will find all the tips in this article: which Apple Stores are ideal, what about prices and warranty?
Get an iPhone in Germany
Many Dutch people used to go to Apple Stores in Germany to buy their new iPhone. Germany was often earlier with new iPhones and the price difference could sometimes be interesting. Meanwhile, there are a few less advantages to getting your iPhone in Germany, except for the price. If you are planning to travel to our eastern neighbours, you will find all the information in this article: Which Apple Stores are most suitable to visit from the Netherlands?
Jump straight to the topic where you want to know more about:
- Apple Stores in Germany
- Price difference iPhones
- Reservation
- Return and warranty
- Which cities?
Apple Stores in Germany
There are about fifteen German Apple Stores spread across the country. For Dutch people, the following Apple Stores are most suitable: Oberhausen, Cologne (2x) and Düsseldorf. You will find the addresses of these popular German Apple Stores later in this article. You could also look at the German retail chains Saturn, MediaMarkt, Gravis, Cyberport and the like.
Keep in mind that shops in Germany are often closed on Sundays and that parking garages can close early on Saturday evenings. So check immediately on arrival until what time you can still drive out, so that your car is not behind a gate until Monday morning. For Belgians it can sometimes be easier to drive to Lille in northern France. You will also find chains such as Fnac there, although there is not that much difference in price in France.
You can read more about buying your iPhone abroad in a separate tip.
See also 
Buying iPhone abroad: which countries are the cheapest?
Buying an iPhone abroad can be attractive. But what should you take into account? iCulture advises on buying iPhone in France, England, US and other countries.
Buying an iPhone in Germany works in the same way as you are used to in the Netherlands. In the Apple Store you can simply pay with your Dutch credit or debit card (or cash if desired, which is still quite common in Germany). When picking up reserved products, you need a European proof of identity, so a Dutch passport or identity card. A driver's license is not always accepted as ID in Germany, as we once discovered when picking up a package. You also get the European warranty that you are used to on an iPhone purchased in Germany. If the iPhone breaks, you can go to a Dutch Apple Store or an Authorized Service Provider.
Prices of German iPhones
The prices of German iPhones are often slightly lower than in the Netherlands. This is partly due to the lower VAT (19%) and the home copy levy. This causes the following difference in suggested retail prices:
Model Netherlands Germany Difference iPhone 14 €1016,- €999,- €17,- iPhone 14 Plus €1166,- €1149,- €17,- iPhone 14 Pro €1326,- €1299 ,- €27,- iPhone 14 Pro Max €1476,- €1449,- €27,- iPhone 13 €899,- €906,- €7,- iPhone 13 mini €799, – €806,- €7,- iPhone 12 €799,- €806,- €7,- iPhone SE €556,- €549,- €7,-
Reserve iPhone in Germany
If you want to buy an iPhone in Germany when stocks are still very limited, it is wise to make a reservation. This can be done in two ways:
- Book with courier delivery. This is possible via Apple's website, but please note that you need a German delivery address for this. You cannot have it sent to the Netherlands.
- Make a reservation for collection in the store. You choose the store, date and time yourself. You have to go to the store at the agreed time to pick up your iPhone.
Of course, this also applies to all kinds of other products and accessories that you want to reserve at the German Apple Store. They can be delivered to an address in Germany or picked up in an Apple Store of your choice. If you cannot go to the store yourself, you can also authorize someone (for example, a friend or family member who lives in Germany).
If you are not very handy with the German language, you can first reserve a product in the Dutch Apple Store so that you know what the steps are. Or keep two browser windows open and follow the steps in both screens, aborting the Dutch order at the last minute.
Is a German iPhone unlocked?
The iPhones that you buy in Germany are exactly the same as those in the Netherlands. There is no SIM lock and they are suitable for all common 4G and 5G networks. The same model numbers are sold throughout Europe.
iPhone from Germany: return, warranty and insurance
If you bought the iPhone and are not satisfied, you can return to the store within 14 days and request a refund. You will have to go back to the same Apple Store where you bought the device, so in Germany. It is notpossible to return your device in a Dutch Apple Store. If you want to insure your iPhone, you can do this through your contents insurance or take out a separate device insurance policy. You can also take out AppleCare+. Do this within 60 days of purchase.
German Apple Stores near the border
The following Apple Stores are closest to the Dutch and Belgians. They are located 1 to 2 hours drive from the border. Note that German Apple Stores are almost always closed on Sundays.
Apple CentrO
Shopping Center CentrO
Centroallee 147
46047 Oberhausen
This Apple Store is located in an indoor shopping center, CentrO. You can combine a visit to the Apple Store with an afternoon of shopping. The travel distance from Utrecht is approximately 1.5 hours. In the shopping center you will find various catering establishments, such as McDonalds and Starbucks. There are plenty of free parking spaces around the mall.
Apple Schildergasse
Schildergasse 1-9
50667 Cologne
This flagship Apple Store can be found in the center of Cologne. The name suggests that it is located in a small alley, but the reverse is true: this is the busiest and most popular shopping street in Cologne. Paid parking is best at P2 Galeria. APCOA Parkhaus Cäcilienstrasse, APCOA Parkhaus Am Gürzenich and Theaterparkhaus are a little further on. These are within walking distance of the Apple Store. We like to park under the Cologne Cathedral ourselves, but that is a bit further on foot.
Apple Rhein Center
Rhein Center shopping mall
Aachener Straße 1253
50858 Cologne
This Apple Store can be found in an indoor shopping center, with plenty of restaurants and other shops where you can hang out. The Apple Store is on the top floor, next to Zara and opposite Lush. There are sufficient parking spaces in the parking garage at the shopping center. The entrance to the parking garage is on the corner of Aachener Straße/An der alten Post. In the garage, you need to be in zones 3-5 for the best parking spot near the Apple Store.
Apple Store Düsseldorf
Shopping center Kö-Bogen
Königsallee 2< br> 40212 Düsseldorf
This spacious Apple Store is located in the center of Düsseldorf and has an entrance on two sides. At the front you are immediately in the shopping area, while at the back you will find a park with restaurants, where you can unpack your purchase. You can park in the luxurious but very expensive parking garage Kö-Bogen APCOA, under the Apple Store. Please note that this parking garage closes at night, so make sure you get out on time. An alternative is Parkhaus Schadow, across the street. This parking garage is also closed at night. An insider's tip: in Dusseldorf many facilities are named after the luxury shopping street Königsallee. It is useful to know that parking garage Kö-Bogen is located in a completely different place than parking garage Kö-Galerie.