About the German Emigration Center

Discover over 300 years of immigration and emigration history

The German Emigration Center is Europe’s unique museum dedicated to the history and present of immigration and emigration. At the historic site of one of the most significant emigration ports in Europe, it makes more than 340 years of migration history tangible through authentic life stories.

The focus is not on statistics, but on the people themselves. Each guest receives an passkey at the beginning of the tour and follows the journey of a real person. This reveals the hopes, decisions, and challenges related to migration.

The first part of the permanent exhibition traces the paths of emigrants from all over Europe on their way to the New World. Detailed scenes such as the quay in Bremerhaven, the crossing of the Atlantic, or life in historical New York bring history to life. These narratives are complemented by original objects, documents, and memorabilia from the museum’s extensive collection.

The second part of the exhibition focuses on Germany as an immigration country. Personal reports, original objects, and multimedia presentations tell stories of how people have found a new home here and what experiences have shaped their lives.

In conclusion, the Forum Migration invites reflection on the experiences and the discovery of one’s own family history. In this way, the German Emigration Center connects historical experiences with current questions and opens new perspectives on a topic that has always moved people.