• The Canton of Bern has more information at Hallo-Bern.ch.

• The City of Bern’s Sozialdienst explains how social assistance works (DE).

The following websites have important information and contacts on this topic:

• The City of Bern (DE)
• The Canton of Bern (DE, FR)
• The Swiss Confederation (DE, FR, IT, RM, EN)

• The City of Bern’s Einwohnerdienste has more information about family reunification. If you need further advice, you can make an appointment (DE).

• The City of Bern’s Fachstelle für Migrations- und Rassismusfragen organises a regular information session on this topic (DE).

The following institutions provide free or low-cost legal advice:

• Berner Rechtsberatungsstelle für Menschen in Not (DE, FR)
• Rechtsberatung des Treffpunkts Untermatt
• Bernerischer Anwaltsverband (DE, FR)
• Infra Bern (DE, FR, EN)

You can find a list of legal advice centres on the City of Bern’s website (DE).

• The Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA) (Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz AIG in German) regulates, for example, visas, entry, and residency.

• You can find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the FNIA on the website of the State Secretariat of Migration (DE, FR, IT).

• The City of Bern’s Ombudsstelle advises and mediates in conflicts with the city administration.

Have you experienced racism or other discrimination? Do you want to support other people who have experienced discrimination? The following offices can provide you with information and advice:

• Berner Rechtsberatungsstelle für Menschen in Not (DE, FR)
• gggfon - Gemeinsam gegen Gewalt und Rassismus (DE)
• City of Bern Ombudsstelle (DE)

Are you pregnant and currently employed? Mothers and pregnant people have special rights.

• You can find further information and advice centres on this topic on the website of the Familie und Quartier department of the City of Bern (DE).
• The Unia trade union’s website has more information about your rights as a working mother (DE, FR, IT).

Do you have questions about getting married?

• You can find more information about getting married and marriage rights at ch.ch (EN, DE, FR, IT, RM).
• Only you decide if, whom and when you marry! Have you experienced it otherwise? The City of Bern’s website on forced marriages provides more information on this topic (DE).
• Are you in a binational relationship? Are you new in Switzerland? The organisation Frabina offers professional counselling for people of different nationalities and cultures living together (EN, DE, FR, ES).
• The Women's Counseling Center Infra Bern offers free, multilingual counseling on legal topics related to marriage, divorce, maternity leave and immigration law (EN, FR).

• The Canton of Bern has a summary of different counselling centres on a convenient emergency card in many languages.

• You can find more information on this topic at the City of Bern’s website.