What you should do if you experience racism in Germany
Reports of racism in Germany are rising. In 2023 alone, complaints jumped by
22 percent
compared to 2022. A separate report found that over
60 percent
of Black people - and nearly half of all ethnic or religious minorities - face regular discrimination. In 2024, 58.3 percent of our survey participants said they had noticed a rise in xenophobia.
Racism affects all levels of German society, from healthcare to jobs, housing and education. Most recently, reports have shown children being
bullied
so badly they're afraid to go to school or even
attacked
in broad daylight.
The issue persists at the political level. Despite being labelled a "suspected extremist" organisation, far-right parties like Alternative for Germany (AfD) have continued to gain support in Germany. The anti-migrant party recently achieved their highest-ever result in Germany's federal elections.
This isn't happening in isolation. Across Europe, racism has grown increasingly 'pervasive and relentless' in recent years. In late 2024, Anti-Racism Commissioner Reem Alabali-Radovan joined an unprecedented EU-wide statement warning of rising extremism and hate.
READ ALSO:
Levels of racism and discrimination in Germany revealed in new survey
What can you do if you experience racial discrimination?
Racism can take many forms - some overt and aggressive, others subtle and systemic.
Questions like 'Where are you really from?', racial 'jokes' or being ignored or dismissed are common occurrences for many across Germany and beyond.
Though less visible, these acts reinforce systemic racism and are proven to be profoundly
harmful
to mental and physical health. However, most incidents of racism go unreported.
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If you experience racism or discrimination in Germany, knowing your options can help you regain control in a difficult moment.
The most important first step is to take your emotions seriously and not downplay what is happening. If possible, look to supportive friends, coworkers, classmates or even bystanders for assistance.
If the situation becomes overwhelming, you have every right to remove yourself - you are not obligated to tolerate mistreatment. If you feel safe enough, assert yourself calmly and clearly, pointing out that the behaviour or language is unacceptable.
Referencing anti-discrimination policies at your workplace or university - or German laws like
the
General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG)
-
can help reinforce your point.
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Remember, responding in the moment is not always safe or possible. Sometimes, it's best to take action afterwards.
After experiencing racism, take steps to protect yourself. It can help to write down everything that happened as soon as possible, including dates, times, names and locations. Save any relevant messages, emails or images, and if there were witnesses, ask them to write down what they saw.
READ ALSO:
'No-one will offer me a job' - How having a foreign name affects life in Germany
If you have been physically attacked, seek medical care and photograph any injuries, even if they seem insignificant. Keep any damaged or contaminated clothing or other objects. A medical certificate or other evidence is helpful for any legal proceedings or claims.
Patients wait for their appointments in a doctor's surgery waiting room in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sina Schuldt
Next, consider reaching out to counselling or advice centres. Several independent services in Germany offer anonymous emotional and legal support, like the
Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
or the
VBRG
.
They are there to guide you through the next steps.
Most importantly, take care of yourself. Allow
yourself the time to process what has happened, s
urround yourself with supportive people and make time for activities that help you feel grounded and safe. Joining anti-racist or empowerment groups can also offer a powerful sense of solidarity.
T
herapeutic care can also be beneficial. You can find more information about the various forms of
therapy available in Germany here
.
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Legal and institutional avenues for action
Germany offers several formal pathways if you choose to take action. If you feel comfortable, report the incident to a workplace or educational authority like a supervisor or lecturer. If that feels intimidating, bring a trusted person or reach out in writing.
If the discrimination occurs in a public institution like a jobcentre or the police, you can submit a formal disciplinary complaint to the
Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
.
Victims of discrimination can sue in administrative or civil courts and may be eligible for state-funded legal aid. Alternatively, legal insurance can assist in these cases.
READ ALSO:
Do internationals face discrimination in the German workplace?
Parents of children who have faced discrimination can raise issues directly with teachers, file a complaint with the regional school authority or escalate to the Ministry of Education in their federal state.
A nursery school teacher reads to children at a Kita in Berlin. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Wolfgang Kumm
Report illegal content on social media platforms by flagging it directly on the site. Organisations such as
Hate Aid
can help you complete the report. If the content qualifies as hate speech (or
Volksverhetzung
) under German law, it can also be reported to the police. Kliksafe have a
good resource
for deciding whether this is the case.
Reporting a crime to the police can be intimidating, but it's important for collecting the figures that drive public understanding and political action. To report, visit a nearby station,
report a crime online
or call 110. You can provide an alternative address such as a lawyer's, workplace or victim counselling centre if you're concerned about sharing your address.
Legal and institutional avenues for action
If you witness racial discrimination - whether verbal, exclusion, harassment or violence - your support can make a lasting difference. Even if the person isn't in immediate danger, stepping up helps counteract the isolation many victims feel.
In Germany, failing to provide 'necessary and reasonable' assistance during an accident, public danger or emergency - known as
"
unterlassene Hilfeleistung
" - can result in a fine or up to one year in prison.
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However, as a witness to racism, you don't need to put yourself in danger. Stay calm and assess the situation. If it's safe to do so, make your presence known. Stand beside the person, speak up against the discrimination, or redirect the conversation. Even a simple question like 'Are you okay?' can deescalate tension and show solidarity.
READ ALSO:
Are German police racially profiling people at the border?
Remember: your role is to support, not to take over. Ask the person what they need. They might want you to say something, or simply stay close. In some cases, calling the police or alerting nearby staff is appropriate, but always prioritise the victim's wishes and safety.
If things escalate, avoid confrontation and instead gather information. Take notes or recordings if you can, and offer to be a witness later.
A sign outside a police station in Bremen. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sina Schuldt
Once the situation has calmed, check in with the person privately. Ask how they're feeling and if they need help contacting support services, filing a complaint, or simply talking things through. Your listening ear and encouragement can have a big impact.
Even if the victim chooses not to report the incident, you can still support them by helping them document what happened or directing them to anti-discrimination centres. And don't forget to reflect on your own response: what went well, and what you might do differently next time.
Being an ally means being ready to act, listen, and learn. Racism thrives in silence - but small, compassionate interventions can help break the cycle.
Is Germany still a racist society? Have you experienced discrimination in the workplace or elsewhere? Let us know your thoughts by emailing
news@thelocal.de
.
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