Is there anything special to the CV format for PhD applicants in Germany?
No, there is no special format for an academic CV in Germany. In general, CVs in Germany differ somewhat of Angloamerican CVs (see for example this newspaper article by The Local). It might be the case, that German professors and selection committees expect a more German CV. However, that should not be a boundary, as academia in Germany is internationally oriented. The Career Center of the RWTH Aachen offers an  English information sheet about German CVs that might be helpful. In addition, you could use the European CV from the  European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training as an orientation.