Research Data Centre , Date: 2021.09.02, format: Article, area: Authority

The new data service of the Research Data Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF-FDZ) is now available. The BAMF-FDZ is part of the BAMF Research Centre. The establishment of the Research Data Centre is, among others, the result of an amendment to the German Act on the Central Register of Foreigners (Ausländerzentralregistergesetz, AZRG). The data service is free of charge.

What service is offered by the BAMF-FDZ in detail?

• information and advice on the available data services
• examining applications and making data accessible
• providing data access via on-site access in Nuremberg

Overview of Data

Sample from the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR)

At present, the BAMF-FDZ offers three data sets from the general database (Allgemeiner Datenbestand) of the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR) for research purposes on request. Scientific research institutions are able to obtain anonymised data or personal address data.
First, the AZR-Forschungsdatensatz (doi: 10.48570/bamf.fdz.azr.on.2021.1.0) is an anonymised 20 percent random sample drawn from the AZR. It includes third country nationals of legal age who are or have been residing in Germany.
Second, research institutions can request access to personal address data for own scientific surveys.
Third, research institutions can request completely anonymised statistics from the AZR.

Researchers can apply for data access using the application form (currently in German only). With respect to the conditions defined in the AZRG, data access will be granted under strict legal requirements, including, amongst others, only state or state-approved universities and publicly funded research institutions.

Survey data

Selected survey data from the BAMF Research Centre will additionally be made available prospectively.

You find more information on the offered data and data access on the German website. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the BAMF Research Data Centre using the contact form.

Digitalisation in the research landscape

The establishment of the BAMF-FDZ is accompanied by the use of IT solutions with the aim to facilitate the entire process for researchers: from data application and data access to the availability of research results.

Complaint point of the RatSWD

The BAMF Research Data Centre was preliminary accredited by the German Data Forum (RatSWD). In July 2016 the RatSWD opened a Complaints Office, which will give you the opportunity to address unresolved problems with the usage of the FDZ data that you cannot solve together with the contact person at the FDZ. The contact form as well as details on the field of competence and the procedure can be found on the website of RatSWD.