Department of Home Affairs and Sport

Asylum application Central initial reception General information

When you arrive in Germany as an asylum seeker, the Central Initial Reception Center is your first point of contact, where you will be accommodated, provided with medical care and informed about the further asylum procedure.

Detailed description

If you have fled to Germany to seek protection from war, persecution or serious human rights violations, you can apply for asylum at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) via the Central Initial Reception Centre.



The Central Initial Reception Center is a facility responsible for you during the asylum process. There, you will receive basic support, such as:

  • a place to sleep
  • Eat
  • basic medical care
  • Information on the asylum procedure

The asylum procedure is the process by which it is determined whether you will be granted protection in Germany. Further information on the procedure and contact points in Hamburg can be found in the "Procedure" section.

 

Information

Prerequisites

They fled to Germany to seek protection from war, persecution or serious human rights violations.

Documents required

Which documents are required depends on the individual case. The responsible authority will provide you with further information.

Please note

You must generally submit your asylum application in person to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. A written application is possible in exceptional cases. Further information can be found in the "Links" section.

Deadlines

Please report to the initial reception center immediately upon your arrival in Germany. Further deadlines depend on the individual case. The responsible agency will provide you with further information.

Procedure

  • You report to the Central Initial Reception Center. There you will receive temporary accommodation, support, and initial information about the further course of your asylum procedure.
  • After registration, you will receive proof of arrival. If necessary, you may be referred to another federal state.
  • You submit your asylum application to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. There, you submit your proof of arrival and receive a residence permit for the duration of the asylum procedure. Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
  • You will be in regular contact with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees throughout the entire asylum procedure.
  • If you are living in the Central Initial Reception Center in Hamburg, the Office for Migration (Ministry of the Interior and Sport) is responsible for you. After the successful completion of the asylum procedure, including the initial issuance of a residence permit by the Office for Migration, further responsibility is transferred to a local Hamburg Service location. Once you are assigned to subsequent accommodation in a Hamburg district or receive a notice of recognition from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, responsibility for your case is transferred to the locally responsible district office.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case. The responsible office will provide you with further information.

Fees

There are no fees for issuing a residence permit.




There are fees for issuing a travel document. Please contact the relevant office for further information.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Asylum Act (AsylG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/asylvfg_1992/BJNR111260992.html

Related services

Links on hamburg.de

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Department of Home Affairs and Sport

Mon-Fri 6 am-8pm, Sat and Sun closed, people in need are accommodated around the clock in the initial reception center.

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Keywords: application for asylum Asylum application refugee Political persecution Redistribution of asylum seekers Financial aid, asylum seekers Health insurance card, asylum seekers Health insurance certificate, asylum seeker Financial aid for war refugees Asylum seekers, central initial reception ZEA

Last updated: 11.09.2026