Ramstein Air Base

Ramstein Air Base is a U.S. Air Force base in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate and part of the Kaiserslautern Military Community, which the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview of Ramstein calls “the largest American community outside of the United States.” The 86th Airlift Wing is based there.

Before you ship a dog

Germany’s Dog Transfer and Import Restrictions Act, as explained by German Customs (Zoll) on dangerous dogs, prohibits importing four breeds and their crosses:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Bull Terrier

Dogs of other breeds can also be barred if the regulations of the German state where the dog will be kept presume them to be dangerous. The exceptions Zoll lists are narrow: dogs accompanying someone staying in Germany no longer than four weeks, dogs from the existing German stock being brought back, and security, watch, guide, assistance and rescue dogs, each with documents proving the dog’s identity and authorization. A family moving to Ramstein on PCS orders is staying longer than four weeks. The same federal ban applies at every U.S. installation in Germany, including Wiesbaden, Stuttgart, Ansbach and Spangdahlem.

MilitaryINSTALLATIONS’ Ramstein pet shipping page adds the rules that apply after arrival:

• Every pet living on or off base must be registered with the Veterinary Medical Center Europe on Pulaski Barracks (Vogelweh Military Complex), Building 2928, or another military veterinary treatment facility. Registration means a current medical record and a valid rabies certificate. Hours are Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing at 2 p.m. on Thursdays: DSN 590-1900 or 06371-9464-1900.
• Veterinary services are by appointment only and emergency care is not available there; the page advises finding a German vet for after-hours emergencies.
• In base housing you are limited to two pets, and dogs on the dangerous dog list are not allowed.
• The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination; a rabies shot given before the chip is not valid, and the pet must be revaccinated.
• The health certificate must be issued by a veterinarian, dated within 10 days of your arrival, and written in German and English.
• Germany does not require quarantine.

The same page lists a 55 euro veterinary examination fee for pet owners arriving at the Ramstein Passenger Terminal, charged per household, payable by credit card only and not reimbursable on travel orders.

Driving in Germany

“All personnel assigned to Germany must have a U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) license to drive in Germany. An international driver’s license is not acceptable”, according to the Ramstein motor vehicles page. The license office is in Building 2106, Room 201, DSN 480-5534 or +49-6371-47-5534, open weekdays 8:00 to 11:00 and 13:00 to 15:00.

Vehicles shipped from the United States or a previous duty station, and vehicles bought in Germany, must be registered with USAREUR. The main registration station is Kapaun Vehicle Registration, Building 2806, open 0700 to 1500 on weekdays. Shipped vehicles and used vehicles bought in Germany must pass a mechanical safety inspection before registration; a new vehicle that has never been registered in any system for more than three months is exempt from that first inspection.

Arriving and in-processing

Report to your unit’s command support staff (CSS) on arrival. Per the Ramstein check-in page, your squadron appoints a sponsor; if your sponsor has not contacted you within a week of receiving orders, get the contact through the gaining squadron or the 786th Force Support Squadron’s Force Support Personnel Section customer service. Newcomer Orientation is mandatory and held weekly; registration is through the 86th Force Support Squadron relocation assistance page.

Temporary lodging in the KMC is at Ramstein, Landstuhl and the Vogelweh and Kapaun housing areas, the check-in page says. Central reservations: DSN 314-480-4920 or +49-6371-47-4920. You do not need orders to make a reservation, the maximum stay is 30 days if available, and there is no guarantee of a room on your assigned installation. The Ramstein lodging office is in the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center, Building 3336, across from the Air Mobility Command Passenger Terminal.

Single or unaccompanied members in grades E-1 through E-3 are not authorized temporary lodging allowance, the same page adds. Your first stop is the Dormitory Reception Center, Building 2108, DSN 314-480-3676, for a room assignment.

The Ramstein temporary housing page sets the allowance rules for families: Temporary Lodging Allowance may be authorized in 15-day increments while you “aggressively seek housing”, you are not permitted to decline approved off-base housing for personal-preference reasons such as commute time or a yard or garage, and you must complete the in-processing briefing on eligibility and procedures, in person or virtually, within two days of arrival.

Housing

In October 2026 the Ramstein housing page said more than 85% of the Kaiserslautern Military Community lives off base, and newcomers should start house hunting off base even if they want to live on base, because military family housing may not be available when they arrive. Family housing areas are at Ramstein, Landstuhl and Vogelweh; units have both 110- and 220-volt outlets, satellite dishes and external antennas are not authorized, and waterbeds and outside storage sheds are not permitted.

The KMC Housing Office is in Building 2020, 5th Avenue, Kapaun: +49-0631-536-6671 or DSN 314-489-6671. Walk-ins are welcome Monday to Thursday, 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m., and Friday 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.; the office is closed on U.S. and German holidays and every second Wednesday of the month for training. Rental listings are on HOMES.mil.

Schools and child care

Ramstein’s School Liaison Office, Building 2203, Room 111, is the first call for school questions: 011-49-6371-47-9374 or DSN 314-480-9374, appointment preferred. The Ramstein overseas schools page notes that every overseas PCS includes screening of all family members before the assignment is finalized, including an educational screening that checks whether comparable services exist at the new location, and that you need a copy of your child’s current IEP. Parents can preregister children through DoWEA Online Registration for Students.

The Ramstein child care page says the Child Development Centers on Ramstein and Vogelweh offer full-time and hourly care for children 6 weeks to 5 years old, and in October 2026 it said there was a waiting list. School Age Program care is available on Ramstein, Vogelweh and Kapaun.

Medical care

The 86th Medical Group runs a clinic on the south side of Ramstein; all inpatient care is at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, less than 15 minutes away. The Ramstein health care page describes Landstuhl as a 230-bed hospital and the only U.S. medical center in Europe, and says it operates the only U.S. emergency room in the KMC, open 24 hours a day, for emergencies where life, limb or eyesight is at risk.

• Emergency, on or off base: 112.
• Ramstein clinic appointments: DSN 314-479-2273 or 06371-46-2273. The clinic is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• After hours: TRICARE Eurasia-Africa Nurse Advice Line, 00800-4759-2330.

Enroll in TRICARE Prime on arrival to be assigned a primary care manager. The 86th Dental Squadron’s priority is active duty readiness; family members and retirees receive space-available care, and the health care page advises finishing complex dental work before moving overseas.

Legal assistance and family support

The Ramstein Legal Office provides free legal assistance to active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard members, DoD civilian employees assigned overseas, military retirees and their dependents, by appointment only, including consultations on German legal matters. It handles matters such as divorce, claims, contracts, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, wills and powers of attorney, and offers notary services; the Ramstein legal assistance page notes it does not have a tax center.

If a family member has special medical or educational needs, EFMP Family Support is in Building 2120: 011-49-637-147-5100.

Dog, lodging, housing office: in that order

Settle the dog question first if you have one, because a banned breed cannot come with you. Then book temporary lodging through central reservations and contact the KMC Housing Office about off-base listings, since more than 85% of the community lives off base. For the wider community, including the Army side of the KMC, see the guide to U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern. The base operator is 011-49-6371-471110, DSN 314-480-1110.