In November 2024, several federal states of Germany continue to actively accept refugees from Ukraine, providing temporary asylum and the necessary basic conditions. Find out more about which states have first reception centers and the current addresses of reception centers

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Germany, which actively supports Ukraine, remains one of the key destinations for refugees. The federal states of Germany provide access to specially organized camps and reception centers where Ukrainians can find temporary housing, receive the necessary medical care and support in adapting to life abroad.

So, we have collected up-to-date information about the German states that will be accepting citizens from Ukraine in November 2024.

Main features of the distribution and operation of camps in Germany

Germany strives to distribute Ukrainian refugees evenly across its federal states to avoid an excessive burden on specific regions. This means that each state accepts a certain number of refugees, depending on the available resources and places to live.

Each refugee arrives at a so-called “reception center” or camp, where they are registered and sent to a specific region for further accommodation. It is usually impossible to predict where a person will be sent, as it depends on the current situation with places in the camps.

Living conditions of Ukrainians in Germany and peculiarities of resettlement

After arrival and registration, refugees must stay in the region assigned to them. They can move to another region only if they have good reasons, such as official employment, marriage, or care for minor children. Official permission to move is required, which makes it difficult to change your place of residence at will.

Conditions in the camps vary from region to region. Some are well-equipped and have better social support programs, while others are operating at their limits due to the heavy workload. It is important for Ukrainian IDPs to carefully choose the camp to enter, as it is almost impossible to change it after registration.

It is worth noting that you can only get to some of the reception points by your own car. Cars with Ukrainian license plates can only be driven in Germany for a year after first arriving in the country. For detailed instructions on how to re-register a Ukrainian car in Germany, read the article.

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Which federal states are accepting Ukrainian immigrants in November 2024?

Berlin

• Tegel (old airport). For car owners: leave the car in the parking lot and take the P3 bus in front of building 109.

For those arriving by public transport: trains from Eastern Europe arrive at Berlin-Gesundbrunnen station; from there, take a city train to Berlin-Jungfernheide station; the bus to the reception point runs from this station, the stop is on Olberstraße / Gallesteig.

All the information about the Tegel reception center can be found on the service portal or by contacting the center's Telegram support group.

Baden-Württemberg - Baden-Württemberg

The situation in Baden-Württemberg is changing. Starting from October 2024, some reception centers may require prior contact with the city administration, arguing that cities are obliged to accept refugees from Ukraine, while reception centers are open for emergency situations or for refugees from other countries. Therefore, it is important to have a backup plan for an overnight stay for one or two days or to consider going to another federal state if you need to.

• Karlsruhe (Durlacher Allee 100, 76137 Karlsruhe) - the reception center is open, but often distributes newcomers to other federal states. From January 2024, it accepts everyone, including those arriving by private car. Parking is required outside the reception center and specific locations will be indicated on site. No animals larger than a cat are accepted.

• Ellwangen (Georg-Elser-Str. 2, 73479 Ellwangen) - the reception center is open, but it also often sends refugees to other federal states. Information on the possibility of accepting pets remains unclear as of October 2, 2024, so if you are bringing pets, you should check the conditions in advance.

• Freiburg (Basler Landstraße 16,79111 Freiburg) - the center in Freiburg is open and accepts new arrivals, but often distributes refugees to other states. Small animals are accepted, including dogs, which must be leashed.

Bavaria

• The reception center is located at Dachauer Strasse 122a, 80637 Munich. This is one of the main reception centers in Bavaria, which distributes to the southern regions of Bavaria, in particular to Upper Bavaria (Oberbayern). In early 2024, significant problems arose for those arriving with pets. Due to the lack of places to accommodate pets, they are required to go to a shelter, but most shelters are overcrowded, which complicates the situation for pet owners.

• Augsburg (Aindlingerstr. 16, 86167 Augsburg). The reception center in Augsburg also allows accommodation with pets, but the animals are placed in separate containers. This can be important for those traveling with pets and needing separate facilities for them.

• Regensburg (Zeißstraße 1, 93053 Regensburg). The reception center in Regensburg, from which refugees are usually distributed to rural areas of eastern Bavaria. Information on the possibility of accommodation with animals varies, so it is important to check in advance if you are bringing pets.

• Bamberg (Erlenweg 4, 96050 Bamberg). This reception center is open around the clock and distributes refugees mainly in northern Bavaria, in particular to the Franconia region.

The center does not accept refugees with animals, so those traveling with pets should plan other options.

• Heldersheim (Conn-Str. 1, 97505 Heldersheim). Reception is carried out in a large hall with bunk beds, without partitions. Refugees are distributed mainly in the northern regions of Bavaria (Franconia).

Hesse

• Gießen (Rödgener Straße 59-61, 35394 Gießen Ankunftshalle). The center in Hesse is responsible for the redistribution of refugees, especially those who do not have immediate relatives in Hesse, to Bavaria. It is recommended that you arrive at the center before 20:00 on weekdays, although you can be admitted at other times. If you arrive late, you can contact the Bahnhofsmission in Frankfurt, where you can be accommodated for one night.

North Rhine-Westphalia

• Bochum (Feldsieper Str. 109, 44809 Bochum) - receives new arrivals with further distribution in North Rhine-Westphalia. Please note that the situation with pets may vary, so it is recommended to check before arrival.

Niedersachsen - Lower Saxony

• Bramsche (Im Rehhagen 2, 49565 Bramsche) is a large camp that often accommodates newcomers. There may be restrictions on the length of stay and further distribution.

Rheinland-Pfalz

• Speyer (Landwehrstraße 36, 67346 Speyer) is a reception center that provides first accommodation and access to social services. People are often distributed here to more distant cities and towns.

Saarland

• Lebach (Schlesierallee 17, 66822 Lebach). The center in Lebach receives newcomers and provides them with temporary shelter and distributes them throughout the Saarland.

Schleswig-Holstein

• Neumünster (Haart 148, 24359 Neumünster). Receives new arrivals and distributes them to other centers.

• Boostedt (Von-dem-Borne-Straße, 24598 Boostedt). The center accepts refugees with pets, including large dogs, but as of October 2024, allocation to pet-friendly accommodation is limited. If it is not possible to stay with the animals, they must be handed over to the shelter at their own expense.

• Seeth (Hauptstr. 100, 25878 Seeth). The center accepts refugees with animals, but it may be necessary to accommodate people without the possibility of living with animals.

Thüringen

• Suhl (Weidbergstr. 10, 98527 Suhl). The center accepts refugees on a space-available basis, but may refuse to accept refugees if the center is overloaded.

This information will help Ukrainian refugees to find the current reception centers in Germany, taking into account the distribution situation and special conditions for those traveling with pets. For the most up-to-date information, we recommend visiting the official websites of German migration services or assistance groups.

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