Welcome Guide for Migrants and Refugees and their Companions

Welcome to Potsdam!

We want to help you settle in quickly and obtain important information about your entitlements under the Asylum Seekers' Allowance Act (AsylbLG). Therefore, we have compiled a question-and-answer catalogue (FAQ) for you.

You can also find this and other helpful information in several languages in the Integreat App Potsdam.

Contact details

(Department Asylum Seekers' Allowance Act)

Postal address:
Landeshauptstadt Potsdam
Arbeitsgruppe Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz
Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 79/81
14469 Potsdam

Visitor address:
Landeshauptstadt Potsdam
Arbeitsgruppe Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz
Behlertstr. 3a (Haus M/N)
14467 Potsdam  
E-Mail: asylblg@rathaus.potsdam.de 

Opening hours

Information on Benefit Entitlement

Who can receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Allowance Act?

Generally, foreigners who do not yet have permanent residency status in Germany can receive benefits:

• with a residence permit
• with a temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung)
• with a residence permit

The exact definition is outlined in § 1 of the Asylum Seekers' Allowance Act.

Where can I find the relevant forms?

You can find applications and forms in our service portal.

What documents are required to apply for benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Allowance Act?

• Completed application form
• Current residence document (e.g., residence permit, temporary suspension of deportation)
• Proof of assets and income (bank statements)
• Additional documents such as maternity record, school certificate, rental agreement
   

How do I obtain health care benefits and a health insurance card?

• If you need a health insurance card (Krankenkassenkarte), please check 'Health Care Benefits' on the main application form.
• We will review your application.
• In most cases, we will register you with the health insurance provider DAK Gesundheit. You will first receive a treatment voucher from DAK, which will be sent to you by post.
• You can show the treatment voucher to the doctor until you receive your health insurance card.
• DAK requires a small photo (passport photo) from all adults.
• You can have the photo taken at the DAK office, or you can send it via email to DAK.
• You will then receive your health insurance card by post.

Exceptions (the following applies only to certain applications):

• Some applicants meet the requirements to apply for a health insurance card with a health insurance provider (Krankenkasse) of their choice. In this case, you will receive a notification from us.
• If possible, please let us know your preferred health insurance provider, and we will register you there.
• You will also need to submit a small photo (passport photo) of all adults to that provider.
• You will then receive the health insurance card from the chosen health insurance provider.

Further helpful contacts

Where can I extend my residence document?

The Migration Office is responsible for residence-related matters.

Migration office (Migrationsamt)
Helene-Lange-Straße 6/7
14469 Potsdam
Telefon    +49 331 2891113
Telefax    +49 331 2891764
E-Mail:     mia@rathaus.potsdam.de

Where can I obtain a registration certificate?

You can obtain the registration certificate at the Service Centre.

Service Center (Bürgerservicecenter)
Yorckstr. 22 
14467 Potsdam 

Book an appointment:
Telephone: +49 331 2891111
Online appointment booking

I have problems with my children.

Please contact the Youth Welfare Office (General Social Service) in the Department of Children, Youth, and Family (Jugendamt (Bereich Allgemeiner Sozialer Dienst) im Fachbereich Kinder, Jugend und Familie).

Fachbereich Kinder, Jugend und Familie
Am Palais Lichtenau 3/5
14469 Potsdam
E-Mail: fb-kinder-jugend-familie@rathaus.potsdam.de

I have problems with my accommodation.

Please first contact the social workers responsible for your accommodation.

As a second step, you could reach out to the Department for Accommodation matters: (Arbeitsgruppe Unterbringung):

Arbeitsgruppe Unterbringung
Telephone:    +49 331 2892448
Fax:    +49 331 289842386
Email:     Unterbringung@rathaus.potsdam.de

How can I travel by bus and train in Potsdam?

Mobility Ticket

• The Mobility Ticket is a customer card for bus and train travel.
• With the Mobility Ticket, you receive a discounted travel pass for one month.
• You can obtain the Mobility Ticket at the Social Town Hall.
• You can also extend the Mobility Ticket there.
• This is only possible during opening hours.
• You will need a small photo of yourself (passport photo) for this.

You can obtain travel passes here:

Mobiagentur in the train station passages
VIP Customer Centre at Platz der Einheit

• mobiagentur at the main train station (Hauptbahnhof)
• Travel service center (ViP-Kundenzentrum) at Platz der Einheit

Where can I register my child for school?

Children must attend school. Here you can find information on school registration for non-German speaking children.

Where can I get affordable clothing?

Kleiderkammer der Volksolidarität 
Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 79-81
Bürocontainer II
14469 Potsdam
Öffnungszeiten

AWO Schatztruhe
Erlenhof 34, Eingang Marktplatz Schilfhof
14478 Potsdam
Öffnungszeiten

Exvoto e.V.
Max-Eyth-Allee 44A
14469 Potsdam
Öffnungszeiten

Rückenwind Stern UG – Kaufhaus für Gebrauchtwaren
Waldhornweg 17 
14480 Potsdam
Öffnungszeiten

Where can I get affordable food?

• Potsdamer Tafel (Drewitz)
• free breakfast (Drewitz, Schlaatz und Waldstadt)

What should I do in an emergency and where can I find medical assistance?

Website: www.potsdam.de/notruf

On the website www.potsdam.de/notruf ("Help in Potsdam"), you will find important phone numbers and addresses for emergencies.

• You can find the emergency numbers for the police (110) and fire service/ambulance (112).
• There are phone numbers for hospitals, doctors, and pharmacies if you need quick assistance.
• You can also find help for mental health issues, such as the telephone counselling service.
• There are numbers for children and young people, for women in distress, and for child protection.

Free Choice of Doctor

• In Germany, you have the right to choose which doctor you want to see.
• You can select a general practitioner (GP).
• If you are ill or have questions, you should first go to your GP.

Click here if you are looking for a doctor.

Emergency Department (Hospital)

If you have an accident or are very ill, go to the accident and emergency department (Notaufnahme).

The emergency department is located in the hospital.

In the emergency department, you will receive quick assistance if it is urgent.

Here are the emergency departments in Potsdam:

Ernst von Bergmann Klinikum
Notaufnahme
Charlottenstraße 72, 
14467 Potsdam 
Tel.: +49 331 24155051

Alexianer St. Josef Potsdam
Notaufnahme
Allee nach Sanssouci 7, 
14471 Potsdam
Tel.: +49 331 96821100

Please note:

• For less urgent issues, please first visit your general practitioner (GP). If there are no consultation hours, you can see an out-of-hours doctor (Bereitschaftsarzt).
• In an emergency, you can always call the emergency number 112. An ambulance will then come and take you to the hospital.

Where can I get advice and counseling?

Advice on legal issues related to residence and social law

Advisory Service for Migrants Potsdam:
Beratungsfachdienst für Migrant*innen Potsdam, Diakonisches Werk
R.-Breitscheid-Str. 64 (Hinterhaus)
14482 Potsdam
Tel: 0331 - 200 83 81
Fax: 0331 - 200 83 82
Email: beratungsfachdienst@dwstz.de
Consultation hours

Advice and support for young migrants aged 12 to 27

Youth Migration Service Potsdam:
Jugendmigrationsdienst Potsdam IB Berlin-Brandenburg gGmbH
Charlottenstraße 30
14467 Potsdam
Tel: +49 331 2370976
Fax: +49 0331 20029980
Consultation hours

Advice on work and employment

Welcome-Center Potsdam

Behlertstr. 3a, 
14467 Potsdam

Erlenhof 32, 
14478 Potsdam

Telefon:  +49 331 289 2870
Email: Welcome-Center@Rathaus.Potsdam.de
Consultation hours

Family counseling

Caritas Parenting and family counseling:
Erziehungs- und Familienberatung Caritas
Zimmerstr. 7, 
14471 Potsdam
Telefon: +49 331 710298
Email: potsdam.ib@caritas-brandenburg.de
Consultation hours

Office for Counteracting Child Poverty:
AWO Büro KINDER(ar)MUT
Babelsberger Str. 12
Bahnhofspassagen, 5. OG, Westturm
14473 Potsdam
Telefon: +49 331 20076310
Email: buero-kindermut@awo-potsdam.de
Consultation hours

Debt counseling

AWO Schuldner- und Insolvenzberatung
Babelsberger Straße 12, 14473 Potsdam
Büroturm West
Telefon: +49 331 20076350
Email: schuldnerberatung@awo-potsdam.de
Consultation hours

EJF gAG Schuldner- und Insolvenzberatung
Friedrich-Engels-Straße 24, 14473 Potsdam
Telefon: +49 176 13569579
Consultation hours: Appointments available upon request

Additional counseling services and apps available online

Integreat Potsdam App

The Integreat App Potsdam provides migrants and refugees with easy access to essential contacts for important offices and counseling centers in the city. Users can find valuable information on various topics, including asylum, employment, language courses, and childcare. The app is available in multiple languages, including German, English, French, Russian, Arabic, Farsi, and Ukrainian, ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience.

Ankommen-App (Arrival App)

Understanding how Germany functions is essential for fostering a harmonious community. Every individual has the same responsibilities and must adhere to German law, but equally, everyone enjoys the same rights. The Arrival App of the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees), provides insights into the rules of the country and highlights important aspects to consider, all available in five languages.

MALTE App

The MALTE App is a multilingual orientation app for residents of Malteser refugee facilities. This digital resource provides you with the latest information from your facility anytime and anywhere. MALTE assists you in making appointments with doctors or offices, ensuring you have all the relevant information you need to navigate your new environment.

Important addresses for migration and integration

Here you will find an overview of important contact addresses and counseling services related to migration and integration, not only from Potsdam but also from the state of Brandenburg and the federal government.

We wish you a smooth transition and a positive experience in your new surroundings!