Did you receive a protection status after your asylum application ? Here you can find important information about your rights, obligations, moving to another place, and family-related matters.
Which Protection Status Do I Have?
If you received a positive decision on your asylum application , there are different types of protection status:
- Flüchtlingseigenschaft (refugee status)
- Asylberechtigung (asylum status)
- Subsidiärer Schutz (subsidiary protection)
- Abschiebeverbot (prohibition of deportation)
You can find more information about the different types of protection status on the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) website:
Can I Lose My Protection Status?
Yes, protection status does not automatically last forever. In certain situations, you can lose it.
These are some ways you can lose your protection status:
- Widerruf (revocation): This can happen if the reason for your protection no longer exists. For example, if a war has ended and there is peace again in your country of origin.
- Rücknahme (withdrawal): This can happen if the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) later considers the decision on your asylum application to have been incorrect. For example, if you provided false information.
- Erlöschen (expiration): This can happen, for example, if you receive German citizenship.
Important
If you travel to your country of origin, you may lose your protection status. In this case, the BAMF will always review whether your protection status should be revoked.
What Happens If I Receive a Revocation Letter?
If the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) believes that there may no longer be a reason for your protection status, it will review your case. This only happens in certain situations. For example, if you traveled to the country you fled from or if the situation in your country has changed.
What happens next?
- You will receive a letter from the BAMF. If the BAMF is not yet sure whether to start revocation proceedings for your protection status, the letter may first contain questions about your situation. In most cases, however, the letter states that revocation proceedings have already started. The letter will then include questions about why your protection status should still be valid.
- You must respond to this letter from the BAMF in every case. This is important. Get support from a counseling center or seek help from a lawyer (Anwalt oder einer Anwältin).
- The BAMF will then decide whether to start proceedings and/or whether to revoke your protection status.
- You will receive the result in an official decision letter (Bescheid) from the BAMF. If the decision is negative, you can file an appeal against it.
What Do I Need to Consider If I Move?
With a protection status, there are two things you need to consider if you want to move:
Residence Requirement (Wohnsitzauflage)
After your asylum procedure , you usually have to live in the same federal state for three years. This is called a Wohnsitzauflage (residence requirement). If you received your protection status in Berlin, you are usually expected to stay in Berlin for three years. The residence requirement is listed in your residence permit or in the additional sheet attached to it.
There are exceptions, for example if you work enough to meet certain requirements.
If you need to move for urgent reasons, you must submit an application through the LEA contact form. An urgent reason could be, for example, starting a job or apprenticeship in another place.
Informing the Jobcenter
If you receive payments from the Jobcenter , you must inform them if you move. Another Jobcenter may then become responsible for your case. If you move away from Berlin and do not inform the Jobcenter , you may later have to pay money back.
Can I Bring My Family to Germany?
Depending on which protection status you have, different requirements apply to family reunification. On Handbook Germany, you can find up-to-date information and videos in different languages. If you have specific questions about your situation, go to a counseling center.
How Can I Get a Permanent Residence Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)?
Depending on which protection status you have, different requirements apply.
If you have a Flüchtlingseigenschaft (refugee status) or Asylberechtigung (asylum status), you may be able to get a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent settlement permit) more quickly. If you have a good command of German (language level C1) and earn enough money to support yourself, you may be able to apply after only 3 years. If your German is still more limited (language level A2), you may need to wait 5 years before applying for a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent settlement permit). In the Service Portal, you can find all information about the special permanent settlement permit for people with asylum status and recognized refugees:
If you have a subsidiärer Schutz (subsidiary protection), speak German at a sufficient level (language level B1), and earn enough money to support yourself, you can apply for a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent settlement permit) after 5 years. In the Service Portal, you can find all information about the special permanent settlement permit for people with subsidiary protection:
Locations in this map
Willkommenszentrum Berlin
Show on mapThe Counselling Centre for Migrants, which has existed since 1981, and the Welcome Centre Berlin, which was founded in 2016, were merged in April 2021.
People with a history of migration and their relatives continue to receive competent advice on all questions of migration as well as arrival and advancement from a single source. The grown team of the Welcome Center and the cooperation partners, including the networks Integration through Qualification (IQ) and bridge, inform, advise and support individually and multilingually.
The following concerns are covered by the Welcome Centre - Counselling Centre of the Integration Officers:
- Legal advice in migration law
- Hardship counselling
- social counselling
- Advice on the recognition of professional qualifications from abroad
- Advice on training and further education, German courses and job search - Advice on setting up a business
- Advice on labour law
Language overview: https://www.berlin.de/willkommenszentru…
Consulting hours of the partners: https://www.berlin.de/willkommenszentru…
Potsdamer Str. 61
10785 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Our consulting takes place on site, by telephone and digitally.
Opening hours:
Mon 9:00-13:00
Tue 9:00-13:00 + 15:00-18:00
Wed 9:00-13:00
Thu 9:00-13:00 + 15:00-18:00
Consultation by e-mail and arrangement of consultation appointments: beratung@intmig.berlin.de
Appointments for consultation by phone:
Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00-12:00 at (030) 9017-23172.
Personal consultation in Ukrainian and Russian
Monday 09 - 13 h
Tuesday 09 to 13 h, 15 to 18 h
Thursday 09 to 13 h, 15 to 18 h
Al Muntada & Al Muntada Plus
Show on mapAl Muntada supports migrants of Arab descent living in Berlin. Many of them come from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. The counselling is aimed at people of all ages and takes place in Neukölln.
At Al Muntada Plus, a lawyer offers legal advice. He provides support and information on asylum procedures and questions about migration law.
Morusstraße 18 A
12053 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] The open office hours are held on Thursdays from 14.00 - 16.00. Outside these hours by appointment. Please feel free to contact us by phone (030/68247719 and 01590/4072228) or e-mail and briefly describe your concerns.
Asylverfahrensberatung
Show on mapThe BBZ advises and supports young migrants and refugees to enable them equal access to education and work with the following offers:
- Legal and procedural advice on: asylum procedures, family reunification, child and youth welfare law, social legal claims (job centre, child benefit, Bafög).
- Initial orientation and social counselling for asylum seekers from Syria
- Counselling and support for people who want to take up studies, an internship, school education, vocational training or a job in Germany
- Psychosocial counselling in case of conflicts, problems and experiences of racism
- Family counselling for parenting issues
- Language, integration and high school courses
- Promotion of individual educational and professional opportunities for young women with refugee and migration experience(s) aged 12-19.
Stromstraße 47
10551 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Open consultation hours (in case of acute need for action):
Monday 10:30-15 h
Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00,
Consultations by appointment (by telephone, e-mail or in person)
AWO Asylberatung
Show on mapFree, confidential advice and assistance on topics including:
- Asylum application
- Preparing for hearings
- Explanation of decisions and legal action
- Dublin procedure
- Family reunification
- Right of residence
Prinzenstr. 14
10969 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Current consultation hours and contact details can be found under "Current consultation hours of the asylum counseling projects":
https://awo-mitte.de/gefluechtete-asyl/
It is currently necessary to make an appointment by email (asyl@awo-mitte.de) for counseling.
AWO Asylberatung
Show on mapFree, confidential advice and assistance on topics including:
- Asylum application
- Preparing for hearings
- Explanation of decisions and legal action
- Dublin procedure
- Family reunification
- Right of residence
Exerzierstraße 16
13357 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Current consultation times and contact details can be found under "Current consultation times of the asylum counseling projects":
https://awo-mitte.de/gefluechtete-asyl/
It is necessary to make an appointment by email (asyl@awo-mitte.de) for counseling!
Berliner Rechtsberatungsstelle
Show on map[DeepL:] Our specialist unit supports Afghan people seeking protection by providing qualified legal advice (individual and group advice) and by establishing a network of actors who support refugees from Afghanistan.
We offer Afghan people seeking advice a contact point for asylum and residence law advice on the following main topics: Asylum, prospects under residence law as well as safe and legal escape routes (family reunification, local force procedures and state and federal admission programs). The project supports Afghan refugees in knowing and asserting their rights and thus leading a self-determined life.
Exerzierstr. 16
13357 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] By appointment only
BNS - Beratung für begleitete und unbegleitet Minderjährige der Berliner Fachstelle für Kinder und Jugendliche
Show on mapThe BBZ advises and supports young migrants and refugees to enable them equal access to education and work with the following offers:
- Legal and procedural advice on: asylum procedures, family reunification, child and youth welfare law, social legal claims (job centre, child benefit, Bafög).
- Initial orientation and social counselling for asylum seekers from Syria
- Counselling and support for people who want to take up studies, an internship, school education, vocational training or a job in Germany
- Psychosocial counselling in case of conflicts, problems and experiences of racism
- Family counselling for parenting issues
- Language, integration and high school courses
- Promotion of individual educational and professional opportunities for young women with refugee and migration experience(s) aged 12-19.
Turmstr. 72
10551 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Open consultation hours (in case of acute need for action):
Monday 10:30-15 h
Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00,
Consultations by appointment (by telephone, e-mail or in person)
BNS - Fachstelle für Alleinerziehende, Schwangere und Betroffene geschlechtsspezifischer Gewalt
Show on mapOranienstraße 159
10969 Berlin
Germany
BNS - Fachstelle für Geflüchtete mit Behinderung, chronischer Erkrankung und Ältere
Show on mapGustav-Adolf-Straße 130
13086 Berlin
Germany
BNS - Fachstelle für Kinder und Jugendliche
Show on mapTurmstr. 72
10551 Berlin
Germany
BNS - Fachstelle für LSBTI*-Geflüchtete
Show on mapAsylum procedure and migration counselling on the following topics:
- Preparation for the hearing at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
- Asylum procedure (incl. Dublin procedure, legal protection options) as well as residence and migration law
- Grounds for asylum "sexual orientation / gender identity
Psychological counselling
Wilhelmstraße 115
10963 Berlin
Germany
Make an appointment by e-mail or in person on Tuesday and Friday from 2-6 p.m.
BNS - Fachstelle für traumatisierte geflüchtete Menschen und Überlebende schwerer Gewalt
Show on mapXENION is a psychotherapeutic counselling and treatment centre for traumatised refugees and survivors of torture and other serious human rights violations. XENION offers the following services:
- Psychotherapeutic and psychiatric treatment.
- Social counselling, outreach work
- Association and individual guardianships for underage unaccompanied refugees
- Mentoring programme
- Advice and mediation in the search for housing for refugees
- Training for volunteers and professionals working with refugees
Paulsenstraße 55-56
12163 Berlin
Germany
BNS - Fachstelle für traumatisierte Geflüchtete und Überlebende schwerer Gewalt
Show on mapAt the ÜBERLEBEN Centre (formerly the Treatment Centre for Torture Victims e.V.) we work nationally and internationally for survivors of torture and war violence. Men, women and children from around 50 countries come to us for help - current hotspots are: Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Eritrea, Somalia and Turkey.
In the department for refugee aid, refugees and migrants find a wide range of services, from psychological, legal and social counselling to professional qualification and placement in training and work.
Refugee assistance offers the following counselling services:
- Counselling for refugees in particular need of protection.
- Legal counselling
- Counselling for vocational orientation and qualification
- Psychological counselling
Turmstraße 21
10559 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Tue 14-16 h
Thu 13-15 o'clock
KuB Beratung und Unterstützung für Geflüchtete
Show on mapFree, confidential advice and assistance on the following topics:
- Counselling on asylum law, residence law, social law.
- Psychosocial counselling (problems, crises, conflicts)
- Advice for women in special circumstances (pregnancy, single parenthood, domestic violence, sexualised violence)
- Making forms understandable: Translations of official forms for applying for social benefits in different languages.
- Art projects for young people
If necessary and on request, language mediation is organised.
Oranienstraße 159
10969 Berlin
Germany
[DeepL:] Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00-17:00
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe offer is basically aimed at migrants from the age of 27 with a permanent residence status and up to three years after entry or obtaining the permanent residence status.
The MBE offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
- German language courses (e.g. integration courses)
- Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications, etc.)
- Children and family
- Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...)
- Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability)
- Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
- Legal questions concerning residence
Franz-Jacob-Straße 16-18
10369 Berlin
Germany
Tue 9.30-13 h
2nd Tuesday of the month 13-15 (with Arabic and Farsi language mediation)
Thu 14.30-17.30 (with Vietnamese language mediation)
and by arrangement
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe offer is basically aimed at migrants aged 27 and over with a permanent residence status and up to three years after entry or obtaining the permanent residence status.
The MBE offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
- German language courses (e.g. integration courses)
- Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications, etc.)
- Children and family
- Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...)
- Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability)
- Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
- Legal questions concerning residence
Oranienstr. 34
10999 Berlin
Germany
Mon/Thu/Thu/Fri 9 am - 4 pm
and by telephone arrangement
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapMigration counselling for adults (MBE)
- Assists new immigrants aged 27 and over in all stages of the integration process in Germany in the first three years after entering the country or obtaining permanent residence status.
- Offers individual and needs-oriented case guidance with the aim of increasing their chances of professional and social integration.
- Provides support in the search for a suitable integration course and, if required, takes on the social-pedagogical supervision of integration course participants.
- Actively participates in communal networks.
Who can contact us?
- New immigrants and late repatriates with their family members.
- Migrants already living here as well as late repatriates with their family members in concrete crisis situations.
- Employees of various institutions and organisations in questions of the intercultural opening of regular services.
We advise and support you in the following areas:
- Integration courses
- Questions of social integration, etc.
Oberweißbacher Str. 7-9
12687 Berlin
Germany
Currently no open consultation hours, but since 02.06.20 on-site consultation by prior appointment and in compliance with hygiene and distance regulations.
Available for those seeking advice from Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by telephone, e-mail and via the counselling app mbeon (can be found via the user name- Berlin, Frau Cimbal-).
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe offer is basically aimed at migrants from the age of 27 with a permanent residence status and up to three years after entry or obtaining the permanent residence status. The MBE offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
- German language courses (e.g. integration courses)
- Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications...) * Children and family * Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...) * Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability) * Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
- Legal questions concerning residence
Willmanndamm 12
10827 Berlin
Germany
Tue 14-16 h
Thu 10-12 h
CURRENTLY there are no office hours, only telephone and e-mail consultations.
Additional telephone consultation hours until 17.04.2020:
Monday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wednesday 12 - 14 o'clock
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapMigration counselling for adults (MBE)
- Assists new immigrants aged 27 and over in all stages of the integration process in Germany in the first three years after entering the country or obtaining permanent residence status.
- Offers individual and needs-oriented case guidance with the aim of increasing their chances of professional and social integration.
- Provides support in the search for a suitable integration course and, if required, takes on the social-pedagogical supervision of integration course participants.
- Actively participates in communal networks.
Who can contact us?
- New immigrants and late repatriates with their family members.
- Migrants already living here as well as late repatriates with their family members in concrete crisis situations.
- Employees of various institutions and organisations in questions of the intercultural opening of regular services.
We advise and support you in the following areas:
Integration courses
questions of social integration
etc.
Forckenbeckstr. 1
14199 Berlin
Germany
Monday 08.30 - 16.00
Tuesday 08.30 - 16.00
Wednesday by appointment
Thursday 08.30 - 16.00
Friday by arrangement
Late appointments possible by arrangement!
Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE)
Show on mapThe offer is basically aimed at migrants from the age of 27 with a permanent residence status and up to three years after entry or obtaining the permanent residence status.
The MBE offers free counselling mainly on the following topics:
- German language courses (e.g. integration courses)
- Work and vocational training (job search, recognition of vocational qualifications, etc.)
- Children and family
- Economic situation (income, job centre, debts...)
- Health (health insurance, medical care, pregnancy, disability)
- Everyday matters (contact with authorities, housing, leisure time...)
- Legal questions concerning residence
Landsberger Allee 400
12681 Berlin
Germany
Monday 09:00-15:00,
Tuesday 09:00-15:00,
Wednesday 09:00-15:00,
Thursday 09:00-17:00 (by prior appointment)
Rights and Obligations in the Asylum Procedure | BAMF
On the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) website, you can find many multilingual videos about the asylum procedure and protection status. For example, about the asylum procedure :
Who Is a Refugee? | UNHCR
Das Video ist auf Englisch.
