Entering and arriving in Germany

After entering Germany, you have to make an asylum claim (Asyl-Gesuch) and an asylum application (Asyl-Antrag). If you do not do this, then you are in Germany illegally. This is a criminal offence.
In order to make an asylum claim and an asylum application, you have to go to a reception centre (Erstaufnahme-Stelle, EA). If you are stopped by the police before you reach the reception centre, say that you want to claim asylum.
You can be punished for entering the country illegally. If you get a letter threatening you with punishment for illegal entry, go to an advice office.

First, you have to go to a reception facility (Erstaufnahme, EA) EA. Ask an advice office, where the nearest EA is. In the EA, you make your asylum claim. In the beginning, you have to live in the EA. Afterwards, you may be allowed to move. More information can be found in the chapter on Accomodation and housing.
If you are living in the EA, you are not allowed to leave the district (Landkreis). This is known as Residenz-Pflicht. For further information about the Residenz-Pflicht in your EA ask an advice office. In Accomodation and housing you can find more information about the reception facility.

If you want to claim asylum, you will first be given a „Bescheinigung über die Meldung als Asylsuchende/r (BÜMA)“ (certificate of registration as an asylum seeker) or an „Ankunftsnachweis“ (proof of arrival). You are then in Germany legally. The authorities will take your fingerprints, take a photograph of you and ask you for your personal details. The authorities will also ask you for your identification documents and may search you. If you have a mobile phone, the authorities may take it from you. They will return your phone at a later time. They are looking for proof of which country you are from. If you have an identification document, you have to hand it over.
Sometimes the authorities lose the identification documents. Make a copy of your identification document and say that you want a receipt. You have the right to be given a receipt.
Later, you can make an Asyl-Antrag (asylum application). This can happen after a short time, or after a long time. Then you will be given a new identification document. In the chapter about The asylum process you can find more information about the asylum process.

You can find more information on the website www.w2eu.info. Here you will find information in Arabic, Farsi, French and English.