Germany is a democratic country. Here you can freely express yourself and rely on the rule of law. Additionally, you will quickly notice that you are not the only person from abroad: In 2023, almost 30 percent of all people living in Germany report some sort of migration background.

In an international comparison, Germany is also one of the safest countries in the world: When it comes to petty and violent crime, Germany is low on any worldwide rankings. In a 2021 student survey funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, over 80% of international students report that they feel safe here. A majority of respondents also feels welcome and would recommend Germany as a place to study to their friends.

This, however, doesn’t mean incidents do not happen. Police are trustworthy and willing to assist. In an emergency, call 110 to receive help around the clock.

Additionally, you can also contact the diplomatic mission, embassy or consulate of your home country. They are there to support you especially when you have any troubles with your passport or if you need specific documents from your home country. On the website of the German Federal Foreign Office, you can search for the diplomatic missions your country has in Germany. Please note that the particular search box is only available in German.

Which contacts should I keep in mind?

You are not quite certain who to contact in your specific situation and feel overwhelmed? There are numerous helpful contact points for many particularly challenging situations! You are welcome to contact the local student union, in German: Studierendenwerk or Studentenwerk, for advice and assistance.

For any questions, problems or support that might not require the police nor the diplomatic mission, feel free to contact the International Office (in German: Akademisches Auslandsamt) of your higher education institution. They can often help with your questions and point you toward the right address. For more information see the page "First point of contact".