Deutsches Auswandererhaus
Immersive museum at the Neuer Hafen in Bremerhaven covering more than 300 years of emigration and immigration, told through personal life stories.
About the museum
The Deutsches Auswandererhaus (German Emigration Center) opened on August 8, 2005, at the Neuer Hafen in Bremerhaven – the place from which millions of people left Europe for overseas between the late 17th and the mid-20th century. It is considered Germany's first migration museum. The building, with the striking globe on its facade, was designed by the Hamburg firm of Andreas Heller.
Shortly after opening, the museum was named European Museum of the Year in 2007. In 2012, an extension was added that reverses the perspective and addresses immigration to Germany since the 17th century. Another annex with new exhibition rooms and a facade of portrait reliefs of Bremerhaven immigrants followed in 2021.
On entry, visitors receive the biography of a real emigrant or immigrant and follow that person's journey through staged rooms: from the farewell at the quay through the crossing in steerage to the arrival at Ellis Island. Listening stations, original objects and research databases complement the tour.
The museum is operated by a nonprofit company headed by Dr. Simone Blaschka. It also includes a research academy on migration history, the Kalliope Prize and a family research service.
Highlights
- Tour with a biographical boarding pass of a real emigrant
- Reconstructed quay with steamship and staged steerage deck
- Staged Ellis Island station
- Immigration section on the Federal Republic after 1945
- Family research at research stations
- European Museum of the Year 2007
Permanent exhibitions
- Auswanderung und Einwanderung – Staged tour from emigration across the Atlantic to immigration to the Federal Republic, guided by real life stories.
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- Deutsches Auswandererhaus gemeinnützige GmbH
- Director
- Dr. Simone Blaschka
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €22 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €18School students, apprentices, the unemployed, people with a disability rating (GdB) of 50 or higher |
| Children & teens | €10free up to age 4 · Children aged 5–16; children with a disability rating (GdB) of 50 or higher: €9. |
| Seniors | –No regular senior rate; special offer until December 31, 2026: 20% off a single ticket on Mondays with a pension ID card. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €18companion free · Reduced with a disability rating (GdB) of 50 or higher; people with a GdB of 100 free. |
| Students & apprentices | €10Special rate for university students until December 31, 2026. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €15 per personPrice for adults in groups of 20 or more (children €10); groups of 15 or more please register. Groups of up to 19 people pay individual prices; guided tour €80 plus admission. |
| Families | €58Large family ticket (2 adults with children or grandchildren aged 5–16); small family ticket (1 adult) €38. |
| Afternoon ticket, adults (Mar–Oct from 15:00, Nov–Feb from 14:30) | €18reduced €14, child €6, small family €28, large family €46 |
| Annual pass, adults | €50reduced €40, small family €70, large family €110 |
| Photography fee | €1.50Photography for private purposes only |
| Group combo “Mittagsschmaus” (Lunch Feast) (20 people or more) | €35.50Admission, 90-minute guided tour and a plated meal in the Speisesaal |
Prices valid from July 1, 2026. Tickets only at the museum ticket desk, no reservation needed. 10% discount with a same-day Niedersachsenticket. Headphones for the listening stations €3 (your own with a 3.5 mm jack can be used).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Step-free access to the foyer, elevators and wide hallways; two folding wheelchairs available to borrow free of charge. Accessible parking spaces right in front of the museum. Texts on selected biographies for deaf visitors; bookable tours with tactile objects. Certified under “Reisen für Alle” (Travel for All).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €58 · Large family ticket (2 adults with children or grandchildren aged 5–16); small family ticket (1 adult) €38. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Kids’ birthday parties
Free children's quiz with Paul the ship's rat through the permanent exhibition (with a small surprise). During school holidays, family tours of about one hour for parents and grandparents with children up to age 12. Children's birthday parties for 7- to 12-year-olds with a puzzle case, booking by phone or email.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Havenwelten
From Bremerhaven Hauptbahnhof, bus 502, 505, 506, 508 or 509 to “Havenwelten” (approx. 7 min.); the Wesersprinter 440 from Oldenburg and line 495 from Wilhelmshaven also go to “Havenwelten.”
By car
Parking available
Nearby parking garages: City-Nord (Rampenstraße 16), The Liberty/Deutsches Auswandererhaus (Columbusstraße 67), Columbus-Center (Columbusstraße 22/28, approx. 400 m) as well as the Havenwelten parking garage and the H.-H.-Meier-Straße parking lot (Zoo am Meer). Because of the bridge closure, the museum currently recommends City-Nord and Columbus-Center. Accessible parking spaces right in front of the museum; for tour buses, there is a map with bus stops and bus parking.
- Accessible parking
A27 exit Bremerhaven-Zentrum, then via the B 212 (Grimsbystraße, Lloydstraße) toward Havenwelten; at the end of Lloydstraße, turn left onto Columbusstraße. The bridges between the Alter Hafen and Neuer Hafen are closed; follow the detour.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Restaurant and café “Speisesaal” with a terrace on the Neuer Hafen (daily 10:00–18:00, accessible without a museum ticket). Lockers with a €1 or €2 coin deposit, bag drop at the ticket desk. Dogs can be looked after free of charge on weekdays with advance registration.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
New York Hall (172 m² with anteroom and balcony), Speisesaal with foyer (221 m²), Ditzen-Blanke Hall, Kalliope Hall, Simon-Loschen Room and seminar rooms; in-house cinema, catering through the Speisesaal. Capacities not specified.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Without flash and only for private purposes for a photography fee of €1.50; commercial shoots only with permission. |
| Good to know | Listening stations in German and English are included in admission (choose your language when buying your ticket). Public guided tours as listed in the events calendar, with registration; group tours approx. 90 min. in German or English. |
