Counselling Services in Germany

Free and independent counselling can help you in many situations. Whether you are new to Germany or have lived here for a while, these counselling centres can help you with questions about documents or job searches and also offer support in everyday life.

For instance:

• Are you looking for a job but unsure how to write a compelling application? The appropriate counselling centre can show you what to look out for.
• Are you having trouble with the Jobcenter? The counsellors can review your letters with you and explain their meaning.
• Would you like to know if you can do an apprenticeship? The counsellors will work with you to explore the options available.

The counsellors have extensive experience in their specific areas. They are familiar with the laws and the system. They also know which applications you can submit and where else you can get help.

You don't have to do anything alone. In counselling, you have the opportunity to receive support, nevertheless, you will be the person who finally decides how to proceed. With the help of counselling, you can improve your situation step by step.

Counselling can proceed in different ways, depending on whether you visit in person, call, or seek advice online. Here, we explain how various options work:

On-site counselling (in person):

1. Make an appointment: Call the counselling centre or send an email. In some cities, there are also open consultation hours when you can drop in without an appointment.
2. On-site consultation: You arrive at the counselling centre. Your counsellor will greet you. You explain the issue, for instance, a letter from the authorities, problems with your flat, or questions about your residency status. Please also bring your documents with you.
3. Clarification: The counsellors will listen to you, ask questions, and explain your options. They will review your documents and assist you in creating a plan. If necessary, they will also help you fill out forms or refer you to a different person, for instance, for legal advice.
4. Next steps: Finally, you will discuss the next steps. Sometimes a new appointment will be scheduled.

Telephone consultation:

1. First call: Call the counselling hotline or make an appointment. You can either call during open telephone consultation hours or make an appointment.
2. Telephone consultation: During a phone call, you explain the issue. The counsellors will listen, explain your options, and discuss the next steps with you. If you have letters or documents, you may be asked to send them by email or to schedule an in-person appointment at a later date.

Online Counseling (via email, chat, or video):

If you prefer to write or do not want to speak directly, you can contact counselling centres by email or seek advice via chat.

• Email advice: Write a message with your concern. Describe it in as much detail as possible. Attach documents if necessary. The advisors will read your message, review your situation, and typically respond within one to three business days. The response will contain information, tips, or suggestions for how to proceed.
• Chat advice: When seeking advice via chat, you communicate live with a counsellor, similar to WhatsApp. You receive immediate answers, can ask questions, and discuss solutions together. To seek advice via chat, you may first need to create a user account on the respective website.
• Video advice: You schedule an appointment for a video call. You will need a stable internet connection and a mobile phone or computer with a camera. The consultation is similar to an in-person consultation: You explain your concern, and the advisor will support you.

Important: Not all counselling centres offer all types of advice. Some offer in-person consultations only, while others provide consultations by phone or online. This means you can't always choose how you want to receive counselling. It's essential to check beforehand what the respective counselling centre offers– you can, for instance, read about it on their website or ask about it over the phone.

Many counselling services are free – especially if they are offered by non-profit organisations, welfare associations, or government agencies. These counselling centres don't work to make money; they want to support individuals – for instance:

• Migration Advice for Adults (MBE)
• Youth Migration Services (JMD)
• Counselling centres run by welfare organisations (e.g., Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, or DRK)
• Municipal immigration authorities or Welcome Centres

If you have questions about residency, naturalisation, or the recognition of professional qualifications, for instance, you can seek help from these organisations free of charge.

However, there are also private providers available– and they charge you for their advice, for instance:

Agencies that help people find jobs or apply for visas, or lawyers or consultants who offer advice on various specific legal matters and charge a fee for their service. Or companies that help with the recognition of foreign qualifications, often for a fee.

These services are not automatically better because you have to pay for them. High costs (often several hundred euros) can sometimes arise.

Important: Here, too, you should always carefully check whether the service is reputable.

Good to know: If you are unsure whether the counselling service is free or not, it is best to ask beforehand. This way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises.

Many counselling centres, especially those targeting individuals with an international background, also provide multilingual support. This means you can receive advice in your native language or another language you are familiar with.

In larger cities and nationwide programmes, counsellors speak Arabic, Turkish, Farsi, Russian, English, French, or other languages. If the appropriate language isn't directly spoken within the team, some counselling centres also work with interpreters.

Multilingual counselling is available, for instance, at:

– Migration counselling service for adults (MBE)

– Youth Migration Services (JMD)

– Welcome centres of cities or federal states

– Welfare organisations, including Caritas, AWO, Diakonie, DRK, and Paritätische (Paritätische Social Welfare Association)

– Certain NGOs specialising in refugee, migration, or labour migration

Important: Not every counselling centre automatically offers counselling in every language. It is therefore worthwhile to inquire beforehand by phone or email, or to check the counselling centre's website, whether counselling is available in your desired language.

If counselling in your desired language isn't available, you can also inquire whether an interpreter can be arranged or whether online services are available in your language.

You can trust most counselling centres, especially if they are non-profit organisations, welfare associations, or government-funded services. These centres operate independently, confidentially, and without a profit motive.

This means: The counsellors are there for you and support you without pursuing their own interests. No data will be shared with authorities or third parties without your express consent.

The situation may be different with private or commercial providers: You should have a closer look, since some are reputable initiatives, but others follow commercial interests, for example, by selling additional paid services or using your data for other purposes.

Therefore, pay attention to whether the counselling centre is publicly funded, whether the advice is free, and whether you can freely decide how your data is used.

If you feel unsure, please don't hesitate to ask:

– Is the advice confidential?

– What happens to my data?

– Do I have to sign or pay anything?

Legitimate counselling centres answer such questions openly and understandably and take the time to talk to you.

Numerous counselling centres in Germany support immigrants as they find their way in their new environment. These centres offer free and confidential advice in various areas of life, including:

• Career and vocational training

• Health

• Housing

• Family life

• Questions about family reunification

   

A key service is the Migration counselling service for adults (MBE). This service is offered throughout Germany by various welfare organisations, such as the AWO, Caritas, and Diakonie. Counsellors are available in several languages and assist with the initial transition and everyday challenges.

The MBE provides individualised support tailored to the unique needs of those seeking guidance. You can quickly and easily find a suitable counselling centre nearby using the BAMF navigation system.

There are also special counselling services for young people between the ages of 12 and 27: The Youth Migration Services (JMD) support young immigrants. These specialised counselling centres offer a wide range of support, including:

• Support with school, vocational training, and finding accommodation

• Arranging language courses

• Individual counselling and support

JMD counsellors speak multiple languages and are attentive to cultural diversity. In addition to individual support, the Youth Migration Services also organise leisure activities to help young people socialise and feel comfortable in their new environment. These services are open to all adolescents and young adults, regardless of origin or residence status.

Migrants and refugees in Germany can access specialised counselling services. These services focus primarily on legal issues and individual support. The main topics include:

• Support in the asylum process

• Advice on residence and immigration law issues

• Assistance with orientation in initial reception centres or central immigration authorities

In the area of asylum procedures, the counselling centres assist, for instance, with a better understanding of the procedure, preparing for interviews, or filing an appeal. Such asylum procedure counselling (AVB) is offered by welfare organisations such as AWO, Caritas, Diakonie, Refugee Councils, as well as Amnesty International and organisations such as Pro Asyl and the Refugee Law Clinic. The goal is to support people throughout the entire process.

There are also specialised contact points for residence law, which answer questions about residence permits, tolerated stay (“Duldung”), visas, work, or residence permits for “Ausbildung”. There you will receive information on legal options, the extension or change of residence permits, and your rights and obligations vis-à-vis authorities. This advice is crucial for people who do not (yet) have a secure residence status or who want to switch between different residence permits.

Equally important is advice on migration law, which includes, among other things, family reunification, citizenship law, naturalisation, and access to work and education for individuals with a so-called migration history. Here, too, counselling centres can help you understand legal regulations and plan appropriate steps.

A first point of contact can be a Migration counselling service for adults (MBE) or the Youth Migration Service (JMD). You can search for counselling centres in your area using our "Local Search" search engine or websites such as adressen.asyl.nett or mbeon.de.

If you have questions about language, education, and vocational training, you can contact specialised counselling services– they can help you navigate the German education system and find suitable programmes. The most common topics include:

• Language and integration courses

• School qualifications and further education opportunities (study counselling)

• Career-related language training

• Recognition of qualifications obtained abroad

• Access to vocational training, school, or university

There are many counselling centres that can help you find the right language course. This is important because there are various language courses tailored to different needs. Some people learn German as a foreign language, while others are preparing for a professional qualification. These centres can also help you complete a school qualification, pursue further education, or apply for a university degree.

An important area is the recognition of foreign school and professional qualifications. The counselling centres support you with the application process, explain which documents are required, and highlight the options available for working or further education in Germany with a foreign qualification.

You can find suitable counselling services in your area using our "Local Search" search engine, netzwerk-iq.de, or anerkennung-in-deutschland.de.

You can also search online, for instance, by entering "Free counselling + topic + your location" into a search engine, e.g., "Free advice on recognition in Saarbrücken." This often helps you quickly find contact points nearby.

If you want to work in Germany or are already working here, you might have many questions: What rights do I have as an employee? How do I find a job or vocational training programme? What can I do if my wages are not paid?

Specialised counselling services are available for work-related topics, career, and labour law– they can help with, among other things:

• job searches or entering the job market,

• questions about employment contracts, wages, and labour rights,

• problems such as exploitation, discrimination, or bullying in the workplace,

• access to vocational training, qualification measures, or recognition of qualifications.

Especially for people with uncertain residency status, language barriers, or a lack of information, it is often difficult to assert their rights or defend themselves against unfair treatment. Therefore, there are free contact points that offer support, which is usually multilingual and sometimes available without appointments.

Some important contact points in this area include:

• the "Fair Integration" counselling program for people from "third countries"

• the IQ network for qualification and recognition of qualifications

• the employee counselling services of welfare organisations (e.g., Caritas, Diakonie, AWO)

• and local labour law counselling services for people in precarious employment.

These centres also offer free initial consultations or referrals to lawyers or unions for legal disputes, for instance, in case of dismissal, unpaid overtime, or bogus self-employment.

You can find suitable services in your area using our "Local Search" advice search engine or websites such as faire-integration.de or netzwerk-iq.de. You can also simply search online by entering "Free advice + topic + your location" into a search engine, e.g., "Free employment law advice Hanover." This often quickly finds contact points in your area.

Finding a flat where you are treated fairly isn't always easy. Whether it's finding a flat, dealing with landlord issues, or rising rents, many people have questions about housing and tenancy law. That's why there are advice services throughout Germany that can help.

Typical topics covered in housing and tenancy law counselling include:

• Understanding rental agreements correctly

• Reviewing operating costs

• Rent increases, termination notices, or eviction notices

• Finding housing and supporting applications

• Discrimination in the housing market

The counsellors will help you understand your rights and better navigate the often complex tenancy law.

They also provide support when conflicts arise with landlords or when a tenant is at risk of eviction.

Such advice is offered by the following organisations, among others:

• Tenants' associations (e.g., the German Tenants' Association, often subject to a fee)

• Consumer advice centres (some free of charge)

• Social and welfare associations (e.g., Caritas, Diakonie, AWO – usually free of charge)

• Municipalities or social welfare offices

Some counselling centres specialise in specific target groups, such as low-income people, single parents, the elderly, or people affected by homelessness. People receiving state benefits (such as “Bürgergeld” or housing benefit) can also seek advice, for example, on appropriate rent or housing cost coverage.

You can find suitable counselling services in your area on our search engine "Local Search" or on websites such as mieterbeistand.de or verbraucherzentrale.de.

You can also simply search online by entering "Free advice + topic + your location" into a search engine, for example, "Free energy advice Stuttgart" or "Free advice on housing benefit Freiburg." This often helps you quickly find contact points neaby. Make sure the website belongs to a well-known organisation (e.g., Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, DRK).

Health is a fundamental right – but not always easily accessible. Many people don't know what medical services they are entitled to, how to get health insurance, or where to turn if they are experiencing mental health problems. This becomes especially challenging when language, residency status, or social insecurity are factors.

That's why free and independent counselling services on health issues are available in Germany– even for people without health insurance and those with uncertain residency status.

These counselling centres provide support and advice on issues such as:

• Questions about health insurance and healthcare,

• Doctor visits or finding a doctor,

• Chronic illnesses, pregnancy, or addiction problems,

• Psychological stress, trauma, depression, or anxiety disorders,

• Living with HIV and AIDS,

• Referral to free or affordable psychosocial services or therapies,

• FGM (female genital mutilation).

The counselling services are offered by, among others:

• Welfare organisations such as Caritas, Diakonie, or AWO

• Psychosocial centres (PSZ) for refugees and survivors of violence

• Psychosocial counselling centres for children and young people, such as Kriesenchat

• Medibüros/MediNetz for people without health insurance

• Public health departments, women's counselling centres, addiction counselling centres

• As well as church-based or independent aid organisations.

Many health authorities also offer anonymous and free counselling on sexual health, pregnancy, HIV/STI, and vaccinations. For mental health, there are contact points such as telephone counselling, crisis services, or counselling centres for young people and families.

Using our "Local Search" search engine or websites like caritas.de and drk-wohlfahrt.de, you can find support services online or in your area. Multilingual information about the German healthcare system can also be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.

You can also simply search the internet by entering "Free advice + topic + your location" into a search engine, e.g., "Free vaccination advice Potsdam." This often quickly finds contact points in your area. Make sure the website belongs to a well-known organization (e.g., Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, DRK).

Families are often confronted with complex issues in their daily lives. Whether it's about pregnancy, raising children, separation, domestic violence, or financial worries, there are many free and independent counselling services in Germany that support families in various life situations.

These services offer advice on, for instance:

• Questions about pregnancy and childbirth (e.g., maternity leave, parental allowance, medical care)

• Parenting issues, e.g., uncertainties about dealing with children or adolescents

• Family conflicts, including separation, divorce, or custody issues

• Domestic violence or violence in a relationship or family

• They offer support for single parents or young parents

• Childcare, daycare, school, and family benefits.

Many of these counselling services are aimed at all family types. This includes married couples, single parents, and queer individuals. Some services are also geared explicitly toward particular groups, such as people with a refugee or migration background, teenage parents, or parents with disabilities.

Providers of these counseling services include:

• Pro Familia (Pregnancy Counselling)

• AWO (Adolescent and Gender Equality Organisation), Caritas (Social Welfare Organisation), Diakonie (Diakonie), German Red Cross (DRK), and other welfare organisations

• Family counselling centres in cities and districts

• Parenting counselling centres for parents, children, and adolescents

• Women's counselling centres and pregnancy counselling centres

• Child protection centres or Youth Welfare Offices (especially in cases of parenting difficulties, violence, or child endangerment)

These counselling services are generally anonymous, confidential, and free of charge, and may also be available in multiple languages. Depending on the centre, they are available in-person, by phone, or online. Men's counselling, queer-sensitive contact points, and specialised services for people affected by violence are also part of the support system.

You can find counselling centres nearby using our "Local Search" search engine or at:

• profamilia.de for pregnancy, sexuality, and family

• elternsein.info: Information from the Federal Conference for Parenting Counselling

• Counselling centre search from the Federal Conference for Parenting Counselling

• familienportal.de for government benefits and support services

• caritas.de/hilfeundberatung for family and life counseling.

You can also simply search the internet by entering "Free counselling + topic + your location" into a search engine, e.g., "Free parenting counselling Munich" or "Free pregnancy counselling Bonn." This often helps you quickly find contact points nearby. Make sure the website belongs to a well-known organisation (e.g., Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, DRK).

The German welfare system offers various forms of financial assistance. For example, for individuals who cannot support themselves, have children, are ill, are unemployed, or are facing a difficult life situation. However, the applications are often complicated, the responsible agencies are challenging to locate, and many people are unaware of the assistance they are entitled to or how to apply for it. Others unexpectedly find themselves in a situation where they no longer have enough money, which can lead to debt.

Many federal states and regions therefore have free counselling centres that support people with questions about financial assistance and social benefits.

Typical topics include:

• “Bürgergeld” (formerly Hartz IV): Who receives it? How do I apply? What do I need to consider?

• Housing benefit,”Kinderzuschlag”, BAföG (Federal Training Assistance Act), parental allowance, or maternity allowance.

• “Grundsicherung” or Basic security in old age or in the event of reduced earning capacity.

• Filling out applications correctly, checking notices, and filing appeals.

• Support in the event of sudden loss of income or emergencies.

• Questions and uncertainties regarding pensions.

You can search for these counselling centres using our "Local Search" search engine and at the following locations:

• Welfare organizations such as Diakonie, Caritas, AWO, the German Red Cross, etc.

• Family centres, women's counselling centres, or church institutions.

• Social Welfare Offices and Jobcenters (usually available upon request).

You can also simply search online by entering "Free advice + topic + your location" into a search engine, for example, "Free debt counselling Hamburg" or "Free social counselling Darmstadt." This often helps you quickly find contact centres nearby. Ensure the website belongs to a well-established organisation (e.g., Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, the German Red Cross).

Settling into everyday life doesn't just mean finding a flat or a job, but also navigating your way around, making connections, and engaging in social life. Many people would like support in organising their everyday lives in Germany. But even those who have lived here for a long time sometimes have questions about topics such as mobility, neighbourhood, leisure time, or official mail.

Therefore, there are numerous free counselling services and contact points that support everyday life and promote social participation.

Counselling centres help with the following topics, for instance:

• Questions about everyday topics such as mobility, the internet, shopping, government agencies, and contracts

• Orientation within the German system: How do letters from the government office work? How do I apply for something?

• Referral to leisure activities: sports clubs, cultural events, neighbourhood initiatives

• Information about rights and opportunities for participation

• Support upon arrival in the community, especially for new immigrants.

• Strengthening self-organisation: migrant organisations, parent cafés, community projects

• Queer life: There are special counselling centres and meeting points for LGBTQIA+ people. For instance, there are topics on coming out, discrimination, health, and identity. Queer refugees can also receive support there.

   

Such support services come, for instance, from:

• Integration and community centres

• Multigenerational houses and family centres

• Projects of the Welfare associations such as AWO, Caritas, and Diakonie

• Municipal counselling centres

• Migrant organisations or intercultural associations.

• Volunteer agencies and volunteer projects

• The LSVD* - Association for Queer Diversity

• The "Crossroads" project by Handicap International

• Integration assistance and counselling at social welfare offices

• The EUTB, an independent participation counselling service

Many of these offers are open to everyone, multilingual, and designed on an equal footing. They create spaces for encounters, exchange, and mutual support, and often also offer group programmes, events, and low-threshold learning opportunities such as language cafés or digital consultation hours.

You can find suitable offers using our "Local Search" search engine or on local websites for your city or district, such as integration offices or volunteer coordinators. You can also search online for free counselling or leisure activities in your area. In a search engine, replace the words in parentheses with your topic and location: "free [type of advice or service] [location]." For instance: "free language courses Paderborn" or "free leisure activities Dresden." Tip: Terms like „Beratungsstelle”, „Treffpunkt”, „Stadtteilzentrum” or „Hilfe bei …” can also be helpful in your search.

Many people experience discrimination in everyday life due to their skin colour, religion, language, origin, sexual identity, or disability. Right-wing extremism, antisemitism, anti-Muslim racism, misogyny, and homophobia are serious problems, also in Germany. Those affected feel excluded, powerless, and threatened. This can lead to, among other things, mental and physical illnesses. Racist police violence is also a particularly sensitive issue: when people are injured or discriminated against as a result of police brutality, arbitrary checks, or degrading treatment. Those affected are often under tremendous pressure and unsure of whom to turn to.

Therefore, there are free, independent counselling centres that specialise in these issues and support those affected.

Counselling centres can help with, for example:

• Discrimination at school, at work, in public authorities, or on the housing market

• Anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim attacks

• Homophobic exclusion or violence

• Experiences of racist police checks or attacks

• Psychological stress caused by discrimination or violence

• Questions about complaints, reports, or legal action

The support offered is diverse, ranging from an initial consultation to longer-term support. For instance, counsellors help with drafting complaints or statements, accompany individuals to public authorities or courts, and connect them with specialist lawyers, therapists, or protection agencies. In many cases, they also offer empowerment workshops, group programmes, or spaces for networking within the community. The goal is not only to provide legal support but also to strengthen and encourage them to defend themselves against discrimination. Such services are available, for example, from anti-discrimination offices or civil society projects such as GLADT, CLAIM Allianz, and many more. The Campaign for Victims of Racist Police Violence (KOP) also offers specific support for experiences with the police. There are also counselling networks against right-wing, racist, or anti-Semitic violence, as well as government agencies such as the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency and state agencies. You can also find counselling centres near you on the website of the Anti-Discrimination Agency.

You can also search for support in your area online. To do so, enter keywords such as "free discrimination counselling [your location]," "anti-Semitism help [city]," or "racist police violence counselling [location]" into a search engine.

Whether it's dismissal, divorce, obtaining a residence permit, facing discrimination, or dealing with authorities, sometimes legal advice is necessary. However, many people are unsure of whom to turn to. Legal advice from a law firm usually comes with a fee. Therefore, it is helpful to know that free or non-profit initial consultations are also available. This is especially true for individuals facing challenging life situations or those unfamiliar with the German legal system.

These consultations provide an initial orientation, clearly and understandably explain the individual's legal situation, and outline possible next steps. Those seeking advice can also find out whether they are eligible for a legal aid certificate, which provides them with free or low-cost legal support.

Good to know: With a “Beratungshilfeschein” or legal aid certificate from the local court, you can consult a lawyer at an affordable price or free of charge. It is for people who cannot afford expensive legal advice. You submit the application to the local court. There, you must submit documents such as proof of income and information about your legal problem. More information is available on the Faire Integration website (German, English, Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, French, Russian, and Turkish).

Free legal advice is often available from welfare organisations (e.g., Caritas, AWO, Diakonie, DRK).

• Migration advice centres or refugee councils.

• Anti-discrimination centres

• Trade unions (e.g., for labour law issues)

• Student legal advice centres at universities

• Legal advice centres of churches, associations, or non-profit organisations.

Important: These centres typically provide initial guidance, rather than representation in court, but offer support with initial legal questions. Comprehensive representation (e.g., in a lawsuit or a complex procedure) is typically provided by licensed attorneys, and this service is usually subject to a fee.

You can find suitable services in your area using our "Local Search" search engine. Another option is an internet search. For instance, use the search terms "free legal advice [your location]" or "legal advice for migrants [your location]." This way, you can get the support you need without incurring high costs immediately.

Whether it's a cell phone contract, online ordering, energy provider, or streaming subscription, we constantly enter into contracts in our daily lives. And sometimes things go wrong– that could be a contract was foisted on us, a bill is far too high, a product never arrived, or a provider doesn't respond to complaints. Fraudulent advertising, online scams, or issues with counterfeit shops are also widespread.

Support is crucial if German is not your native language or if German contract law appears unfamiliar and complex.

Consumer protection advice centres can help with, for instance:

• Trouble with contracts, bills, or debt collection agencies
• Problems with online purchases or the right of withdrawal
• Unsolicited advertising calls or contracts imposed on you
• Excessive energy or telephone costs
• Unclear terms and conditions, cancellation periods, or subscription traps
• Questions about data protection or online shopping security
• Support in dealing with dubious companies

In Germany, many consumer advice centres offer free or very affordable advice, often in several languages ​​or with translation assistance. Non-profit advice centres, consumer protection initiatives, or consumer insolvency counselling services (e.g., at welfare organisations) can also help. You can also find consumer advice centres nearby on the website of the Federal Ministry for the Environment.

Good to know: In some cases, the initial consultation is complimentary; in others, a small fee is applicable. Ask about the costs in advance.

Good sources of information include consumer advice centres, advice centres run by Caritas, the AWO, the Diakonie, or other welfare organisations, community counselling centres, migration counselling centres, and social services.

Using our "Local Search" search engine, you can find suitable advice centres in your area, free of charge and independently. You can also search online for "free consumer advice [your location]," "contract problem help [location]," or "free online advice for rip-offs [location]." This way, you can also find support for everyday consumer problems.