Best Times to Call Germany from the U.S. (Without Waking Someone Up)

Let’s cut to the chase. Germany is 6–9 hours ahead of the U.S., which means it’s really easy to mess up a phone call and end up waking someone up — or catching them at dinner. This guide tells you the exact times to call Germany, whether it’s for business, family, or planning your next trip.

🧠 Quick Answer: Best Time to Call Germany from the U.S.

If you try to call Germany in the morning their time, here’s what it looks like for you:

Your Location	Best Call Time in Germany	Your Local Time
New York (EST/EDT)	9 AM – 11 AM	3 AM – 5 AM (Too early)
Chicago (CST/CDT)	9 AM – 11 AM	2 AM – 4 AM (Too early)
Los Angeles (PST/PDT)	9 AM – 11 AM	Midnight – 2 AM (Yikes)

So instead — try flipping it:

Your Location	Best Time to Call (U.S.)	Time in Germany
New York	2 PM – 5 PM	8 PM – 11 PM
Chicago	1 PM – 4 PM	8 PM – 11 PM
Los Angeles	10 AM – 1 PM	7 PM – 10 PM

👉 Pro tip: Evening in Germany = afternoon in the U.S. That’s your sweet spot.

🌍 Germany Is in CET/CEST — Here’s What That Means

Germany uses:

CET (Central European Time) = UTC +1 during winter
CEST (Central European Summer Time) = UTC +2 during daylight saving time

The time difference varies depending on the season. That’s why calling in spring or fall can mess people up — because your clocks may have changed, but Germany’s might not have (yet).

🛑 Worst Times to Call Germany

Before 7 AM Germany time — they’re asleep or groggy.
During 1 PM – 2 PM — many Germans take lunch seriously.
After 10 PM — considered rude unless it’s urgent.

💼 Best for Business Calls

If you’re scheduling a work call with someone in Germany:

Aim for their mornings, which means you need to call early (6 AM – 8 AM EST)
Or go for their evenings, which works well if you’re in Pacific or Mountain Time

You can always ask:

“Do you prefer morning or evening calls in Germany?”

That alone shows respect for their schedule.

🔗 Want to Know the Time in Germany Right Now?

Check these live clock pages anytime:

✅ Final Thoughts

Germany is ahead of the U.S., which makes mornings tough — but afternoons and early evenings are perfect for catching someone after work without being rude.

If you want to be sure, just ask:

“What time works best for you in Germany?”

It’s a simple question that saves everyone a headache.