Brandenburg

A Welcome Centre supports you as you start getting settled in your federal state of residence. There, you can receive free advice on various important topics. For instance, when looking for a German course, a job, or leisure activities. The staff speak many languages. Below you can find the Welcome Centre responsible for your region.

The Immigration Office is responsible for residence permits, visas, naturalisation, and other matters relating to residence law.

Under “Find your Immigration Office,” you can find the Office responsible for you. Enter your postcode, city, or address in the search field. The website is available in German and English. 

The Bürgeramt is your central point of contact for many matters such as registration certificates, identity documents, and re-registrations. 

Under “Find your Bürgeramt,” you can find an Office nearby. The website is available in German. 

The Employment Agency is the local office of the Federal Employment Agency. It can help you if you are looking for work, would like advice, or want to apply for unemployment benefits I (ALG I).

Under “Find your Employment Agency,” you can find the employment agency responsible for you by entering your postcode or city in the search field. The website is available in German and English.

Are you looking for the Jobcenter nearby? Under “Find your Jobcenter,” you can quickly find the contact point responsible for, for instance, “Bürgergeld” and counselling service. Simply enter your postcode or city in the search field. The website is available in German and English. You can find out more about the services offered by the Jobcenter on our topic page. “Jobcenter.” 

The social welfare office can help you if you are unable to work or do not have enough money to live on– and do not receive benefits from the Jobcenter or the Employment Agency.

Under “Find your Social Welfare Office,” you can find the office responsible for you. The website is available in German. 

Are you looking for the Youth Welfare Office in your area? There you can seek support with family matters, for example, in the event of disputes, parenting issues, or difficult situations. Children and teens can also find help there. You can find out more on our “Youth Welfare Office” page.

Under “Find your Youth Welfare Office,” you can find the office responsible for you. The website is available in German. 

The Tax Office is responsible for your taxes – for instance, your tax return or in case you need a tax number when you are self-employed.

You can find the office responsible for you under “Find your tax office.” The website is available in German. 

You can get free information about training, careers, and job applications at the Career Information Centre (BiZ). Many of their services are also available online.

Under “Find your BiZ,” you can find the BiZ nearby. Enter your postcode or city in the search field to find the address, opening hours, and contact information. The website is available in German and English.

The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) can help you with questions about training, careers, and starting a business. 

Under “Find your IHK,” you can find the IHK nearby. The website is in German.

The Chamber of Crafts (HWK) can help you if you have questions about skilled trades, such as training, master craftsman's examinations, or self-employment in the skilled trades. 

Under “Find your HWK,” you can find the HWK nearby. The website is available in German.

In Germany, there are numerous doctors specialising in various areas of healthcare. For general health questions, you should see a family doctor. For specific problems, a specialist can help you.

Under “Find a doctor,” you can search for doctors and psychotherapists in your area. Simply enter the speciality in the search field. Enter the postcode, city, or address. The website is available in German, Arabic, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish. 

If you are looking for a dentist, look under “Find a dentist.” The website is available in German.

You can go to the hospital if you have a referral for treatment or in case of an emergency. In the event of an acute emergency, call the emergency services at 112.

Under “Find a hospital,” you can find a hospital nearby. Enter the postcode or city in the search field. The website is available in German and English.

There are many different degree programs and universities in Germany. The Hochschulkompass website provides a good overview. There, you can also find information about financial support during your studies, including scholarships and BAföG. You can find more information on the subject of studying on our website under “Education.”

The Volkshochschule (VHS) offers many courses, for instance, in languages, computers, careers, or health. The courses are often affordable and open to everyone.

Under “Find a VHS course,” you can search for VHS courses in your area. Simply enter a topic, location, or postcode in the search field. The website is available in German.

With the BAMF Navi, you can find integration courses from various providers. Enter your postcode, location, or address in the search field. The website is available in German and English. You can also find more information about integration courses on our “Integration Courses” page.

You can also find a course nearby under “Find a VHS course.” For example, enter “integration course” and the location in the search engine.

Please note: 

If you wish to attend a German or integration course, you will need to schedule a consultation beforehand. Please use the office hours of the VHS of your choice to seek advice. On our topic page “Learning German,” you can find out where else you can learn German.

At a library, you can borrow books, movies, newspapers, and much more—often for free or for a small fee. Many libraries also offer study spaces, internet access, and events.

Under “Find a Library,” you can find libraries in your area. The website is available in German. 

Are you looking for a nearby swimming pool? Under “Find a swimming pool,” you can filter by location and type of pool—many also offer courses for children and adults. The website is available in German.

Admission costs money, but there are discounts available, such as for children, schoolchildren, students, or individuals with low incomes.

In Germany, numerous sports clubs offer a variety of sports, including soccer, swimming, and even dancing. There you can actively participate in sports. You can read more about this on our topic page “Membership in a sports club.”

Under “Find a sports club,” you can quickly find a club near you. The website is available in German. 

At Integreat, you will find local information and offers to help you settle into your city or region. Simply enter your location and see if it is listed. The content is available in several languages.