I am looking at flying from Newark International to Munich on Lufthansa, and then to Berlin-Tegel. I believe it is all booked as one trip; however, flights entering the United States require you to retrieve baggage and then re-check it after going through Customs. Is it the same for Germany?
I am somewhat worried because there is only 50 minutes between flights, and the waits for Customs and the baggage claim may be long.
No, it's not the same. Whether that's the case for a given journey will depend on a few details but, unlike the US, there is no blanket requirement to pick up your luggage and walk it through customs when entering Germany or the EU. Usually, in Europe, your luggage will be routed to your final destination and you will clear customs there.
You haven't provided much detail but I expect it won't be necessary to collect your luggage in this case. However, immigration formalities (passport check by the police, Schengen entry stamp, etc.) will have to be completed in Munich.
There is some info on transit time in Munich in Is 1½ hours enough for a transit at Munich Airport?
No, you do not need to collect your baggage before catching your connecting flight. When you check in your luggage at the check-in desk at the airport, let them know that you would like your baggage check-in straight through to your final destination.
