Accommodation – Wohnen

If you arrive in Hamburg and are dependent on public accommodation, please report to the Ankunftszentrum (Rahlstedt Arrival Centre): Bargkoppelweg 66a.

After your arrival in Hamburg, you receive a proof of arrival (Ankunftsnachweis) or a notice of place to go (Anlaufbescheinigung) and a place in the central initial reception centre (ZEA, Zentrale Erstaufnahme) at either Bargkoppelweg 66a or Bargkoppelstieg 10-14.

Here you are registered, undergo a medical examination and apply for asylum. You will find out quickly whether you are to stay in Hamburg or be transferred to another German state.

After your stay in the initial reception centre (Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung), you will move to a secondary accommodation (Folgeunterkunft). This will probably happen after you received a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis: a positive decision regarding your asylum application) or after up to 18 months.

You will continue living with other refugees in a secondary accommodation (Folgeunterkunft). Hamburg residents who have lost their apartment live in public accommodations as well.

There are residential containers, modular houses, pavilions and permanent dwellings.

Families (and couples) stay together if possible.

There are also accommodations that are structured like proper apartments: six people live in three rooms with a refrigerator, cooker, shower and toilet. Those travelling

alone share rooms as they would do in a shared apartment.

Private accommodation
Even if you are staying in private accommodation, for example with relatives, acquaintances or friends, you must do the following:

1. You must register in Hamburg within 90 days and apply for a residence permit. You are generally allowed to stay in Germany for 90 days without a visa (Visum). It makes sense to register quickly because only then will you be allowed to work, receive state support or receive medical care (you can find more information on the subject of work here: https://we-inform.de/portal/en/work/. You can find more information about financial support here: https://we-inform.de/portal/en/financial-support/. You can find more information on the topic of health here: https://we-inform.de/portal/en/health/.

You can register at the Office for Migration (Hammer Str. 30-34) or at the Rahlstedt Arrival Centre (Bargkoppelweg 66a). You can book an appointment here: https://serviceportal.hamburg.de/HamburgGateway/FVP/FV/Bezirke/DigiTermin/ or go there directly.

Scroll down and click on “In Hamburg untergebrachte ukrainische Schutzsuchende – Anmeldung bei privater Unterbringung und Aufenthaltserlaubnis – Первинна реєстрація українців, які шукають захисту, які проживають приватно в Гамбурзі. Після реєстрації та отримання вигаданого свідоцтва, призначені для видачі ВНЖ.” First, you must confirm that you agree to the processing and storage of your data (“Datenschutzerklärung”). In the next step, enter your contact information and then select “1” in the field under the title “Erstregistrierung”.

It is helpful to complete this registration form beforehand: https://www.hamburg.de/contentblob/15988592/97657d6fdfbf98f40264b1a3ad4dda18/data/amt-m-m32-vordruck-registrierung-ua-dl.pdf.

2. You should inform the relevant Bezirksamt (district office) where you live (“Ihren Wohnsitz melden”). You can do this at the Kundenzentrum (customer centre), which is located in the district office.
You can find the relevant Bezirksamt here: www.hamburg.de/behoerdenfinder/ , search term: “Bezirksamt”, https://www.hamburg.de/behoerdenfinder/info/11254942/. Enter your home address (street) and the house number in the next step.

You must make an appointment here: https://serviceportal.hamburg.de/HamburgGateway/FVP/FV/Bezirke/DigiTermin/.
Click on the first item with the title “Einwohnerwesen”. You must first confirm that you agree to the processing and storage of your data (“Privacy policy”). In the next step, enter your contact details. On the next page, in the “Registration” section, select “1” in the field next to “Residence re-registration within Hamburg”. Select a customer centre that you can easily reach.

Because you have already found a place of residence in Hamburg, you will not have to move to another federal state. It is not important that you may only be able to live there for a short time.

When am I allowed to move into a private accommodation?

You have unrestricted access to the housing market like all Germans if you have received a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis). You do not have to stay in a secondary accommodation (Folgeunterkunft) if you find a suitable apartment. Finding an apartment in Hamburg can be difficult in Hamburg.

If you are still living in an initial reception centre (Erstaufnahmeeinrichtung), it is only possible to move into a private apartment in special cases (for example for health reasons). You have to apply to the Leistungsrecht (department responsible for granting you benefits). You can apply in the Ankunftszentrum (arrival centre; Bargkoppelweg 66a) or via the Sozialmanagement in your accommodation. You need a doctor’s certificate and suitable accommodation.

If you live in a secondary accommodation (Folgeunterkunft) and do not have a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), you are usually allowed to move into your own apartment after 18 months in Germany. An earlier move is only possible in special cases. Such cases are health reasons, a job or an apprenticeship (Ausbildung). You have to apply to the competent Grundsicherungsamt (Fachamt für Grundsicherung und Soziales, Office for needs-based pension supplement in old age and in the event of reduced earning capacity and for social affairs).

The ÖRA (“Öffentliche Rechtsauskunft”, “public legal advice”) can give you advice: Dammtorstraße 14, you need to make an appointment: +49 40 428433072 (Monday to Friday: 8 am – 2 pm), www.hamburg.de/oera/.

Where can I look for my own apartment?

Even after the approval of a residence status, you must maintain your residence in the state responsible for your asylum procedures (for example in Hamburg) for three years. The residency requirement (Wohnsitzauflage) may be waived under special circumstances. This may be the case if you or a family member gets a job, starts an apprenticeship (Ausbildung) or attends university.

If you want the residency requirement (Wohnsitzauflage) to be waived, you have to apply to the Amt für Migration (Office for Migration, Hammer Str. 30-34, Referat M 32) or your competent Ausländerbehörde (foreign nationals authority): https://www.hamburg.de/behoerdenfinder/hamburg/11253817/, type your address (search term: „Ausländerangelegenheiten, Bezirke“).

The ÖRA can give you advice about this as well.

Your first point of contact for finding an apartment is the Sozialmanagement in the accommodation. They will help with contact addresses, tips and guides and have a great network of volunteers who can guide you through the required steps on request.

Of course, you can look for an apartment on your own as well. To do so, you can use either online portals for finding accommodation or the mediation services of Hamburg institutions.

When using the online portals, you contact the landlords directly. A short request is sufficient for the first contact. Here is an example:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am interested in the flat. When is it possible to see the place? I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

First Name Last Name

Special offers for Ukrainian refugees:
United for Ukraine & Airbnb Housing service, free accommodation for families with children for 7 to 30 days: https://www.unitedforukraine.org/en-us/articles/6542507170461

Accommodation Ukraine, free accommodation for a few weeks: https://unterkunft-ukraine.de/

Special offers for Ukrainian refugees in Hamburg:

Accommodation request with details of who needs accommodation and for how long to the Bündnis Hamburger Flüchtlingshilfe at: unterkunftgesuch@bhfi.de

Nordherz Telegram channel on the topic of housing: https://t.me/+fujLm1imznA1Y2M6

Hamburg mediation services:

Wohnbrücke Hamburg: http://www.wohnbrücke.de 

Zusammenleben Willkommen: http://www.fluechtlinge-willkommen.de

1. What is rent?

If you occupy an apartment for a limited period of time, you are the tenant of that residence. The person with whom you entered into the tenancy agreement is the landlord. You can rent a room in a shared apartment as well.

Renting an apartment means that you have a right to use the residence for the duration of the agreement. The room or apartment does not belong to you, however. Before moving in, you should therefore learn about the house rules and any responsibilities you may have as tenant. This could include a heating requirement. You usually have to speak to your landlord before converting or renovating the apartment.

In return, however, you also have rights as a tenant. For the duration of the rent, the landlord may for example only enter the apartment with your permission, except in special cases. Additionally, the landlord has to ensure that you can live in the apartment. Therefore, they have to solve some problems that may occur in the apartment.

2. What should I pay attention to?

When you enter into a tenancy agreement, you should check whether or not it is temporary, i.e. specifies a fixed date for the end of the tenancy. In addition, you should check the apartment for any existing defects and document them together with your landlord, so that you cannot be held responsible for these later.

If you want to end the rental of the apartment, you must submit a notice in writing to your landlord.

You pay money to your landlord in exchange for being allowed to use the apartment. This amount is called rent.

Before you move in, you may have to pay an additional sum to your landlord that they will return to you after the rental period (Deposit (Kaution)). The landlord is allowed to keep part of the money if you damage the apartment. If you receive money from the Jobcenter or Grundsicherungsamt you can apply for them to pay the deposit for you.

In addition to rent, you will likely have to pay for power and an internet connection and pay a licence fee (Rundfunkbeitrag). The Rundfunkbeitrag (Rundfunkbeitrag) finances a number of radio and television programmes.

The licence fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) amounts to 17.50 € per month for each apartment. It may be possible to get an exemption from the fee: for example if you receive social security benefits such as the employment benefit II (Arbeitslosengeld II) from the Jobcenter or the Grundsicherungsamt.

You can register and apply for an exemption here: https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/.

You can find more information here: https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/welcome/englisch/index_ger.html#exemption_and_reduction.