Who helps immigrants in Germany for free? Caritas, Diakonie, Migrationsberatung and more

The first years in Germany look much the same for almost everyone: letters from authorities, confusing forms, deadlines, and the feeling that there's no one to ask. But there is. Germany has a dense network of counselling services that help newcomers for free, often in Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish or Arabic. The problem is that hardly anyone knows about them.

It helps to tell two groups apart. Authorities (Ausländerbehörde, Jobcenter, Finanzamt, Landratsamt) make decisions about your case. Counselling services (Beratungsstellen) decide nothing, but they are on your side: they explain letters, help with forms, and sometimes even go to appointments with you. This article is about the second group.

1. Migrationsberatung für erwachsene Zugewanderte (MBE): if you're over 27

The main starting point for adult immigrants. The programme is funded by the federal government (through the BAMF), and the counselling itself is run by welfare organisations such as Caritas, Diakonie, AWO, DRK, Der Paritätische and others. There are around 900 counselling offices nationwide.

What you can bring:

a confusing letter from the Ausländerbehörde, Jobcenter or Familienkasse;
applications: Bürgergeld, Kindergeld, Wohngeld, Integrationskurs;
finding a language course, a job, a daycare place or a school;
questions about your residence permit and extending it.

Good to know: the counselling is free. Officially it's meant for the first three years after arrival, but in practice people who have lived here longer are often helped too. Just ask.

How to find it: migrationsberatung.org has a search by postcode. You'll also find online counselling there via the mbeon app.

2. Jugendmigrationsdienst (JMD): if you're 12 to 27

Same idea, but for young people. Around 500 offices across Germany. They help with school, Ausbildung, university, recognition of school certificates and a first job. Parents of teenagers can also come with questions about their children's education. Online counselling is available via jmd4you.

How to find it: jugendmigrationsdienste.de, search by postcode.

3. Welfare organisations (Wohlfahrtsverbände)

Large non-profits that run not only migration counselling but dozens of other services. If you don't know where to go, go to any of them – they'll point you in the right direction.

Caritas (Catholic) and Diakonie (Protestant). Despite their church roots, they help everyone regardless of religion. Migration counselling, Schuldnerberatung (debt), counselling for pregnant women and families, general social counselling.
AWO (Arbeiterwohlfahrt). Migration and social counselling, debt counselling, family support.
DRK (German Red Cross). Migration counselling, family tracing (Suchdienst), counselling for refugees.
Der Paritätische. An umbrella organisation for many small local initiatives, including Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking ones.

Tip: search Google for "Caritas Migrationsberatung + your city" or "Diakonie Sozialberatung + city".

4. Recognition of qualifications: Anerkennungsberatung

If you have a profession or degree from abroad, don't try to navigate recognition alone. The counselling offices of the IQ Netzwerk help for free to work out which German profession matches yours, which authority is responsible and what documents you need.

How to find it:

the portal anerkennung-in-deutschland.de, which has the "Anerkennungs-Finder" and a search for counselling near you;
if there's nothing nearby, the "Working and Living in Germany" hotline (BAMF and the Federal Employment Agency): +49 30 1815-1111. You can also ask in writing.

5. Debt: Schuldnerberatung

Letters from debt collectors, Mahnungen, a frozen bank account (Kontopfändung) – don't wait on these. Free debt counselling is offered by Caritas, Diakonie, AWO and many municipalities (often at the Landratsamt or Rathaus). They help set up a repayment plan, check claims, open a P-Konto (an account protected from seizure) and, if needed, prepare personal insolvency.

Watch out: commercial "debt help" agencies from ads often charge up front and fix nothing. Look for the words "gemeinnützig" or "anerkannte Schuldnerberatungsstelle".

6. Renting: Mieterverein

Rent increases, utility bills (Nebenkosten), eviction, mould. The Mieterverein (tenants' association) checks your documents and writes to the landlord on your behalf. It isn't free: you pay a membership fee, usually a few euros a month. But one successfully challenged Nebenkostenabrechnung often covers it for years.

7. Legal advice on a low income: Beratungshilfe

If you really need a lawyer but can't afford one, you can get a Beratungshilfeschein from your local Amtsgericht (district court). With it, a lawyer's consultation costs at most 15 euros. It's for people on a low income or receiving Bürgergeld. Bring: ID, proof of income and expenses, and the letter in question.

8. Landratsamt and Rathaus: more than just an authority

Many people see the Landratsamt (in rural districts) and the Rathaus or Bürgerbüro (in cities) only as places where documents are issued. But they often also house:

an Integrationsbeauftragte (integration officer) who knows all the local support services and can refer you;
the Ausländerbehörde: in rural districts it is usually located right in the Landratsamt (for example in Landkreis Dachau);
social services, the Wohngeld office, debt counselling.

If you have no idea where to start, call or email the Landratsamt and ask for the "Integrationsbeauftragte" or "Migrationsberatung im Landkreis".

9. Volunteers: Helferkreise and Integrationslotsen

Almost every town and village has a Helferkreis or Integrationslotsen – volunteers who help fill in forms, go with you to the doctor or an authority, or help you find a flat. They aren't lawyers, but they often have the time that overloaded counsellors don't. Search for "Helferkreis + city" or ask at a local church.

How to prepare for counselling

Counsellors are very busy and getting an appointment can take a couple of weeks. To make the first visit count:

Bring all the letters on the topic, including envelopes (deadlines are often counted from the delivery date).
Check the deadline (Frist) in the letter. If it's less than two weeks away, say so when booking: many services see urgent cases first.
Documents: passport, residence permit, proof of income if needed.
Write your questions down beforehand. In the appointment you get nervous and forget half.

What if the deadline is close but the appointment is three weeks away?

It happens a lot: a Widerspruch has to go out within a month, but the next free appointment is later. Or you just need to reply to a letter, and booking counselling for that feels like overkill.

That's what BriefMagic is for. Take a photo of the letter and the service explains in your language who is writing to you, what they want and by when you need to reply. Then describe your situation in your own words, and BriefMagic writes a ready-to-send reply in proper official German: a Widerspruch, an application, a cancellation or any other letter. You can download it as a PDF or send it by post straight from the service, including by registered mail.

And with a finished letter in hand, your counselling appointment goes faster too: the counsellor only has to check it instead of starting from scratch.

Try BriefMagic →

This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Services and contact details may change – check them on the organisations' websites.