According to the review platform werkenntdenbesten.de, around 341 nail studios are listed in Munich. A business registration — that is all it takes to open one in Germany. No training, no proof of qualification, no exam. Behind the same polished storefront image of well-groomed hands, standards can vary enormously.
Choosing the cheapest studio or the first one with an available slot is not a decision based on quality — it is a decision based on luck. This guide changes that: seven concrete criteria you can use before booking to tell what actually makes a good nail studio in Munich.
Criterion 1: Hygiene — the only criterion with no room for compromise
A poorly disinfected nail drill can transmit nail fungus. A non-sterilised file leaves bacteria on the nail plate. That sounds drastic — but it is not an exception. It is the direct result of missing hygiene controls.
Munich’s Health Department sets clear requirements for cosmetic businesses: instruments must be sterilised after each client or disposed of as single-use items. Disinfectants must be listed on the VAH register — the recognised quality mark against fungi, bacteria and viruses. Single-use files must not be passed from client to client.
What you can check yourself on your first visit: Are files and nail cleaners disposed of after treatment? Is an autoclave visibly present in the studio? Do the nail technicians wear gloves when handling wounds or chemicals?
MONLIS Beauty Studio operates under a binding hygiene protocol — with VAH-listed disinfectants, single-use materials and a dedicated sterilisation area across all three studios.
Criterion 2: Training and certificates — what counts when nothing is mandatory
There is no legally required training for nail technicians in Germany. The business start-up portal of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) confirms: a business registration is sufficient to open a nail studio.
Certificates are therefore not a nice-to-have — they are the only active quality signal a studio voluntarily sets. What to look for: internationally recognised qualifications, regular continuing education, experience with different techniques — gel, shellac, acrylic, nail art. Feel free to ask. A good studio names its staff’s qualifications without hesitation.
MONLIS works exclusively with certified nail technicians holding international qualifications. Behind the studio stands the MONLIS School — a dedicated academy for nail cosmetics and beauty. A studio that trains its own staff operates to structurally different standards than one that does not.
Criterion 3: Product quality — what goes on your nail plate
Cheap no-name gels and shellac products without EU approval are not uncommon in the budget segment. They can trigger allergies, permanently damage the nail plate and wear off faster — leading to more frequent touch-ups and higher overall costs.
A reliable quality indicator: does the studio use well-known brands approved for the European market? OPI is one of the most widely used professional products worldwide. CND Shellac is the brand behind the original patented shellac technology. Luxio is regarded as a premium gel-polish with exceptionally strong adhesion.
Shellac Munich: MONLIS uses exclusively OPI, CND Shellac and Luxio — no own brands, no unlabelled products. If you are specifically looking for Shellac Munich, MONLIS offers the original CND product.
Criterion 4: Service range — specialist or full spectrum?
A good nail studio in Munich advises — it does not just execute. That is the decisive difference between a studio that understands what your nail type needs and one that simply carries out the requested technique.
There is no universally right answer to the question of specialist versus full spectrum — but there is an important consideration: what do you need in the long term? A studio offering a complete range — manicure, pedicure, gel, shellac, nail art, French — allows you to get everything done in one place. More important than breadth is depth: does the studio understand the difference between a classic manicure and medical foot care? Does it advise on the right technique for your nail type?
MONLIS offers the full spectrum of nail services, from the classic manicure in Munich to elaborate nail art in Munich.
Criterion 5: Reviews — how to read them, not just count them
Google reviews are useful — but only if you know what to look for. Five stars from 12 reviews with no comments say very little. Five stars from 400 detailed texts are a different signal entirely.
Look at the most recent 15–20 reviews. Is hygiene mentioned? Are negative reviews responded to — and how? A studio that addresses criticism professionally takes quality assurance seriously. One that ignores or responds defensively does not.
Red flags: a sudden flood of five-star ratings without text, no response to specific complaints, no mention of hygiene for a studio that has been operating for years.
MONLIS Beauty Studio reports over 10,000 satisfied clients — a figure built up over many years.
Criterion 6: Location, accessibility and appointment flexibility
Nail care is routine maintenance, not a special occasion. If the commute is too long or appointments need to be booked weeks in advance, visits get skipped. The result: poorer nail health, more frequent breakages.
24/7 online booking is no longer a bonus — it is the standard. A studio that does not offer an online appointment system is simply transferring its own workload onto the client.
MONLIS operates three studios in central Munich locations: Goetheplatz, Westpark and Karlstraße. Online booking is available 24/7 — no phone call, no waiting.
Criterion 7: Atmosphere, communication and multilingual service
A nail appointment lasts between 45 minutes and two hours. The atmosphere is not a minor detail: it affects whether you can relax, communicate your wishes clearly and want to come back.
Munich is an international city. For many clients — whether from Ukraine, England or Russia — German is not their first language. A consultation about nail shape, colour and technique in an unfamiliar language leads to misunderstandings more often than one might expect.
MONLIS offers service in German, English, Ukrainian and Russian. Not a marketing promise — a concrete advantage for Munich’s international community.
Checklist: How to find the right nail studio in Munich
Check before booking:
- Hygiene: VAH-listed disinfectants, single-use files, sterilisation equipment visible?
- Qualifications: Certificates of nail technicians verifiable?
- Products: Well-known EU-approved brands (OPI, CND Shellac, Luxio etc.)?
- Service range: Does the offer match your needs?
- Reviews: Read the last 15–20, check for hygiene mentions and responses to criticism?
- Accessibility: Online booking available, studio easy to reach?
- Atmosphere & language: Do you feel well advised and understood?
Choose the right studio now — and book your appointment
Looking for a nail studio in Munich, there is no choice that is visible at first glance. Good and bad often look the same. The seven criteria in this guide are not a luxury demand — they are the minimum you should expect as a client.
MONLIS Beauty Studio meets all seven: three locations in central Munich, certified nail technicians with international backgrounds, exclusively premium products from OPI, CND Shellac and Luxio, strict hygiene protocols and service in four languages.
Book your appointment online now: Online booking at MONLIS Munich — 24/7, no waiting, with your choice of studio between Goetheplatz, Westpark and Karlstraße. Gift vouchers from €20 are also available.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not replace individual professional advice. For questions about nail health or skin reactions, please consult a medical professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prices for a classic manicure range from €30 to €70 depending on the studio and scope of service. Shellac or gel treatments typically cost €50 to €90; more elaborate techniques and nail art can be higher. Studios with certified nail technicians and premium products are generally in the upper price range — which often pays off through longer durability and nail protection.
Shellac is a specific product by CND — a thinly applied gel-polish that cures under LED or UV light and does not extend the natural nail. Gel nails are applied in multiple layers and can extend and reshape nails. Shellac is ideal for clients who want to care for their natural nails; gel for those who want added length or a change in shape.
Files and single-use materials should be disposed of after your treatment, not reused. Metal instruments such as nail clippers should be sterilised — ideally with a steam autoclave. Disinfectants should be listed on the VAH register.
Walk-ins are possible at some studios, but without any guarantee of availability — especially during peak hours. Pre-booking is recommended: it lets you choose your studio, technician and time slot. MONLIS offers online booking around the clock — no phone call, no waiting.
The difference rarely shows after a single visit — it becomes visible over time. Premium studios use EU-approved branded products that protect nails and skin. Certified nail technicians work with greater precision and understand the differences between nail types. Strict hygiene standards guard against infections. And a thoughtfully designed atmosphere turns the visit into a genuine break — not just a service appointment.
