Organisations and Contacts
There are many advice centres specially for immigrants in most German cities. Most town halls also have offices which are solely dedicated to providing information on such matters. The following list should help give you an overview of the main organisations.
European Union
Information on your rights within the European Union can be found on the Internet (
www.europa.eu.int/citizensrights) or directly by calling the Info-Line (Tel: 00800-67891011).
German Federal Ministries
Werderscher Markt 1
10117 Berlin
Tel: 01888-17-0
Fax: 01888-17-3402
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Alt-Moabit 101 D
10559 Berlin
Tel: 01888-681-0
Fax: 01888-681-2926
www.bmi.bund.de
Mohrenstraße 37
10117 Berlin
Tel 01888-58-0
Fax 01888-58-9525
www.bmj.bund.de
Wilhelmstr. 97
10117 Berlin
Tel: 01888-682-0
Fax: 01888-682-32 60
www.bundesfinanzministerium.de
Scharnhorststraße 34-37
10115 Berlin
Tel: 01888-615-0
Fax: 01888-615-70 10
www.bmwa.bund.de
Wilhelmstraße 54
10117 Berlin
Tel: 01888-529-0
Fax: 01888-529- 4262
www.verbraucherministerium.de
Alexanderplatz 6
10178 Berlin
Tel: 01888-555-0
Fax: 01888-555-1145
www.bmfsfj.de
Wilhelmstraße 49
10117 Berlin
Tel: 01888-441-0
Fax: 01888-441-4900
www.bmgs.bund.de
Hannoversche Straße 28-30
10115 Berlin
Tel: 01888-57-0
Fax: 01888-57-5270
www.bmbf.de
Alexanderplatz 6
10178 Berlin
Tel: 01888-555-1835
Fax: 01888-555-4512
www.integrationsbeauftragte.de
Alt-Moabit 101 D
10559 Berlin
Tel: 01888-681-1120
Fax: 01888-681-1138
Consumer Advice Centres/ Consumer Counselling
Markgrafenstr. 66
10969 Berlin
Tel: 030-25 800 0
Fax: 030-25 800 218
www.vzbv.de
Lützowplatz 11-13
10785 Berlin
Tel: 030-26 31-0
Fax: 030-26 31-27 27
www.stiftung-warentest.de
Elsenstraße 106
12435 Berlin
Tel: 030-53 60 73-3
Fax: 030-53 60 73-45
www.verbraucher.org
The monthly magazine "Öko-Test" focuses on ecological matters:
Postfach 90 07 66
60447 Frankfurt/Main
Tel: 0 69-9 77 77-0
Fax: 0 69-9 77 77-139
www.oekotest.de
The Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture is also responsible for consumer protection:
Wilhelmstraße 54
11055 Berlin
Tel: 030-20 06-0
Fax: 030-20 06-42 62
www.verbraucherministerium.de
Social Advisory Services (Charitable Organisations)
Charitable organisations have offices in many local areas. The addresses and telephone numbers can be found in the local telephone directories or at the Internet websites.
www.awo.org
www.paritaet.org
www.drk.de
www.diakonie.de
www.caritas.de
www.zwst.org
www.profamilia.de
www.verband-binationaler.de
www.bke.de
Labour
The "DGB" ("Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund") is the umbrella association for trade unions in Germany. There are offices in all German cities and regions.
Bundesvorstand
Henriette-Herz-Platz 2
10178 Berlin
Tel: 030-24060-0
Fax: 030-24060-324
www.dgb.de
Employers' associations
The “Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände” is the umbrella association for employers. It has offices in most large German urban areas.
Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft
Breite Straße 29
10178 Berlin
Tel: 030-2033-0
Fax: 030-2033-1055
www.arbeitgeber.de
Chambers of Industry and Commerce
The "DIHK" is the umbrella association for the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce. It has offices in most large German urban areas.
Breite Strasse 29
10178 Berlin
Tel: 030-20308-0
Fax: 030-20308-1000
www.dihk.de
Agentur für Arbeit (Job Centre)
The "Agentur für Arbeit" has a great deal of helpful advice for job-seekers, on qualifications and further training, and information on job offers. Offices can be found in every large German town and city and in every region.
www.arbeitsagentur.de
Foreigner Advisory Council
There is an “Ausländerbeirat” in every large town and city. The council represents the interests of immigrants. Information is available from your local town hall or at www.bundesauslaenderbeirat.de.
Refugees
"Pro Asyl" represents the interests of asylum seekers and refugees (office in Frankfurt/Main). Internet address:
www.proasyl.de
If you are a refugee and you need advice, you can also visit your local charitable organisations.
Tenant Associations
Tenant associations represent the interests of tenants. There are offices in most large German urban areas.
www.mieterbund.de
Embassies and Consulates
The address of the diplomatic representation of your country in Germany can be found at the local town hall or at the German Foreign Office.
Werderscher Markt 1
10117 Berlin, PA.: 11013 Berlin
Tel: 01888-17-0
Fax: 01888-17-3402
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
AIDS Advice Centres
Information on AIDS and addresses of advice centres across Germany can be found on the Internet at www.aidshilfe.de. Your doctor can also tell you where the nearest advice centres for AIDS are or you can ask your local health office ("Gesundheitsamt"). It is important to remember than all queries will be dealt with extreme discretion and you will remain anonymous.
Dieffenbachstr. 33
10967 Berlin
Tel: 030-690087-0
Fax: 030-690087-42
Telephone Help Lines
If you are in urgent need of help or advice and are in a troubled state you can ring special telephone help lines day and night. The advice and help is free of charge, anonymous and confidential.
0800-111011 oder 0800-1110222
You can also use the Internet:
www.telefonseelsorge.de
Women’s Refuges
The telephone number of the nearest women’s refuge is available from the police or from directory enquiries. The addresses of these women’s refuges are kept secret so that women who are seeking refuge can feel safe and be sure that their husbands or fathers will not find them.