Introduction
Lower Saxony is diverse. People in the state speak different languages, follow many religions or none, and express gender in different ways. Respect for this diversity is not only a social expectation; it is supported by German and state-level protections that apply in schools, workplaces, and public services [1, 2].
This guide explains the core rights and everyday practices that help you participate confidently and respectfully in Lower Saxony. It also points you to practical contacts in cities such as Oldenburg, Hanover (Region Hannover), Braunschweig, Göttingen, and Osnabrück. Where rules vary by municipality, you will see clear examples with official references.
Your Legal Protections: The Essentials
German constitutional law protects equality and the freedom of religion. Article 3 of the Basic Law prohibits discrimination based on sex, parentage, race, language, homeland and origin, faith, political opinions, and disability; Article 4 guarantees freedom of faith and the undisturbed practice of religion [1]. In daily life and employment, the General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG) prohibits discrimination because of race or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation—covering both work and access to services such as housing and retail [2, 11]. If you need plain-language guidance or counseling after a potential incident of discrimination, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes) provides materials and help [11].
Since 1 November 2024, the Self-Determination Act (SBGG) has been in force. It allows transgender, intersex, and non-binary people to change their legal gender entry and first names by declaration at the civil registry (Standesamt), without a court procedure. The federal law and official guidance explain the process and timelines [4, 5, 6]. Respecting a person’s name and pronouns is part of basic non-discrimination practice and aligns with these protections [2, 4, 6].
Religion in Daily Life and Schools
In public spaces and services, your freedom to practice religion is protected, and the state must remain neutral toward religions. In Lower Saxony’s schools, parents choose whether their child attends confessional religious education or the alternative subject “Werte und Normen” (Values and Norms). From age 14, students decide this themselves (religious majority) [8]. The school law requires schools to offer “Werte und Normen” if enough students opt out of religious instruction; official guidance explains thresholds and organization [7, 9].
Absence for religious observance is possible under Lower Saxony’s education regulations, which cover participation in comparable religious events and define how schools handle requests. Each school applies the rules, so you should send a short written request in advance and follow your school’s instructions. The Ministry of Education also publishes an annual schedule noting key dates for Islamic and Yezidi observances to help schools plan excusals; for example, in the 2024/2025 school year, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha dates were provided for planning purposes [10, 19, 20]. The exact dates shift every year, so always consult the current Ministry circular or your school office before the holiday [10].
Practical tip for parents: in Oldenburg, Braunschweig, Hanover, Göttingen, and Osnabrück, school offices are used to these requests. A brief email stating the pupil’s name, class, your religious event, and date is sufficient. If the school requests confirmation, you may be asked to provide a note or a community contact as indicated in the regulation [20].
Cultural Diversity and Local Integration: Where to Turn
Beyond individual rights, municipalities in Lower Saxony run programs to support participation. Hanover’s city administration maintains a comprehensive migration and participation strategy under “WIR 2.0,” the successor to its Local Integration Plan. It coordinates actions across departments and also funds community initiatives that strengthen inclusion and anti-discrimination in neighborhoods across the city and Region Hannover [21, 24, 25]. If you live in Hanover, you can ask the WIR 2.0 team for contacts to language, counseling, or participation projects in your district [21].
Oldenburg has a formal Committee for Integration and Migration that focuses on language, education, labor market access, social participation, and anti-discrimination. The committee publicly documents its priorities and supports activities that counter discrimination against people with migration backgrounds and refugees [22]. For issues related to gender equality in Oldenburg, the city maintains an Equality Office with programs for safety, work, and entrepreneurship; it also provides direct contact details when you need support [16, 17].
In Braunschweig, the municipal offices for “Integration, Vielfalt und Demokratie” and the dedicated LSBTIQ* coordination unit offer information and points of contact for migrants and queer residents. These units help with project support, participation opportunities, and referrals to counseling services [13, 26, 32]. In Göttingen, the city’s Equality Office can advise on gender equality and LSBTIQ* matters and publicizes contact details and events, which is useful if you need a local, confidential conversation [15, 31]. Osnabrück maintains a Migrationsbeirat (Migration Council) and an integration service that includes social counseling; they also participate in the Niedersächsischer Integrationsrat, a state-level body connecting municipal migration councils [14, 27, 29].
If you are active in a migrant association, mosque, church, or cultural initiative and want to organize inclusive projects, the Lower Saxony Service Portal lists targeted funding lines for supplementary integration measures, and several municipalities (for instance, Braunschweig and Hanover) operate their own small-grant schemes under their integration strategies [12, 23, 30, 25]. Funding criteria vary; make sure to read the current call carefully and ask the named municipal contact before submitting.
Gender Diversity and Respectful Address
In professional and administrative settings across Lower Saxony, the standard form of address is formal (“Sie”). When meeting someone new, use their stated name and pronouns. If you are unsure, it is appropriate to ask politely. The Self-Determination Act legally supports a person’s chosen gender marker and first name, and municipal and state authorities adapt their forms and processes accordingly [4, 6, 28].
The state government funds projects that promote acceptance of LSBTIQ* people and strengthen community structures—this includes education, awareness campaigns, and empowerment initiatives. The responsible ministry outlines its approach and funding framework on its official pages [28, 31]. The Queeres Netzwerk Niedersachsen (QNN), a statewide umbrella organization based in Hannover, connects local groups and can direct you to counseling, community centers, and events throughout the state. QNN is funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry for Social Affairs, which helps ensure broad coverage beyond major cities [31]. Braunschweig’s LSBTIQ* coordination office and similar municipal units can also guide you to local supports such as meetups, peer counseling, and youth offerings [32].
For newcomers navigating name and gender changes under the SBGG, official guidance clarifies that declarations are made at the civil registry office (Standesamt) with specific timelines; always refer to the current federal information to plan your appointments and documents [4, 5, 6]. If you encounter barriers or misunderstanding in services, you can reference the AGG’s protection from discrimination and ask to escalate to a supervisor or an equality officer as appropriate [2, 11].
Religious Diversity: Accommodation and Public Services
Respect for religion appears in multiple day-to-day contexts. In schools, excusals for religious festivals are allowed according to state guidance, and participation in “Werte und Normen” offers a non-confessional alternative to religious classes where families prefer it [7, 8, 10]. In public administration, staff follow neutrality rules while enabling access. In health care and social services, dietary and cultural needs (for example, halal, vegetarian, or fasting periods) are typically handled by asking and documenting preferences. If you experience difficulty at a municipal office, ask for the local equality or integration contact; Oldenburg, Braunschweig, Göttingen, and Hanover maintain such contacts and can intervene or advise [16, 26, 15, 21].
Community engagement is encouraged. Hanover’s WIR 2.0, Oldenburg’s Committee for Integration and Migration, and Osnabrück’s Migrationsbeirat welcome resident input, including from newcomers. Meetings are public or offer public parts. You can raise ideas for intercultural events, translation support, or youth projects through these bodies or their associated departments [22, 14, 27].
Handling Discrimination, Hate Speech, or Harassment
If you believe you were treated unfairly because of your origin, religion, or gender in employment or services, the AGG provides a legal framework to assert your rights. The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency explains typical steps and offers counseling; it also provides guides on evidence and deadlines for claims in employment and civil law contexts [11]. For support in Lower Saxony’s refugee and migration context, the Refugee Council of Lower Saxony (Flüchtlingsrat Niedersachsen) lists contact points and publishes information in multiple languages; while it is an independent NGO, it is a strong first stop for orientation and referrals [3].
If you are a victim or witness of a hate incident, contact the police. Lower Saxony’s police operate an Onlinewache where citizens can file reports and upload digital evidence. The police also maintain a special contact point for hate crime on the internet (ZHIN). In emergencies, call the emergency number or go to the nearest station; otherwise, the Onlinewache portal is appropriate for non-urgent reporting [33]. The Ministry of the Interior also runs a complaint and quality management channel for non-criminal issues involving the ministry’s remit, which can help route concerns to the right contact person, but it does not replace criminal reporting [36].
Everyday Etiquette and Communication: Practical Tips for Lower Saxony
Start formally and adjust as invited. Begin with “Sie” and the person’s last name. Switch to first names or “du” only after the other person invites you. In offices and schools, this formal tone is standard and communicates respect across cultural differences.
Ask before assuming. Lower Saxony’s workplaces, schools, and services include people from many backgrounds. If you are unsure about someone’s dietary, religious, or accessibility needs, ask politely rather than assuming. This is especially helpful during Ramadan, on the Sabbath, or around Christian or Yezidi holidays noted in Ministry schedules [10].
Use the contacts near you. In Oldenburg, the Equality Office and the Committee for Integration and Migration can point to local support and participation opportunities [16, 22]. In Hanover, the WIR 2.0 team coordinates integration and anti-discrimination measures and can direct you to district-level offers [21, 25]. In Braunschweig and Göttingen, the municipal equality and LSBTIQ* offices provide counseling and event information [26, 15]. In Osnabrück, the migration service and the Migrationsbeirat can help you navigate city services and represent community concerns [27, 14].
Build bridges through community initiatives. The state and municipalities fund projects that promote participation and counter discrimination. If your association wants to run a language café, intercultural sports event, or awareness workshop, check the state Service Portal or municipal funding pages, then talk to the relevant officer before applying [12, 23, 25, 30].
City and County Examples
Oldenburg
Oldenburg’s Committee for Integration and Migration works on language, education, social participation, and anti-discrimination, and the city publishes practical contacts. The Equality Office lists programs and services for work, safety, and entrepreneurship. Residents can contact these bodies directly for guidance or to propose inclusive activities [22, 16, 17].
Region Hannover / City of Hanover
Under WIR 2.0, Hanover coordinates participation and inclusion across departments and neighborhoods. The city also uses targeted funding to support civil-society projects aligned with its integration goals. If you live in districts like Mitte, Nordstadt, or Hainholz, check announcements from your district management office and WIR 2.0 team for consultations and events [21, 24, 25, 35].
Braunschweig
Braunschweig’s “Integration, Vielfalt und Demokratie” office centralizes contacts for migrants. The city’s LSBTIQ* coordination unit supports queer residents, offers information, and can refer to local counseling. These are useful entry points if you face barriers to services or want to organize intercultural events [13, 26, 32].
Göttingen
The Equality Office in Göttingen provides advice and publicizes contacts for LSBTIQ* matters. It is suitable for confidential advice, referrals, and information about inclusive municipal actions [15, 31].
Osnabrück
Osnabrück’s Migrationsbeirat represents migrant interests and connects to the Niedersächsischer Integrationsrat, the state-level association of municipal integration bodies. The city’s integration management also offers migration social counseling to help with orientation, paperwork, and participation in community life [14, 29, 34].
If You Need Help Quickly
For discrimination concerns in employment or services, review the AGG and contact the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency for counseling options or a first assessment [2, 11]. For hate incidents or threats, use the Police Onlinewache in Lower Saxony for non-urgent reports, or go directly to a police station in urgent cases [33]. For gender identity questions and civil status changes, consult the Self-Determination Act text and official federal guidance, then book with your Standesamt; municipal equality or LSBTIQ* offices can advise on local procedures and respectful implementation [4, 5, 6, 26, 31, 32].
References
1. Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (English). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html
2. General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG) (English). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_agg/englisch_agg.html
3. Refugee Council of Lower Saxony (English overview). https://www.nds-fluerat.org/english/
4. Self-Determination Act (SBGG) – Law text (German). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sbgg/BJNR0CE0B0024.html
5. Bundesgesetzblatt 2024 I Nr. 206 – SBGG promulgation. https://www.recht.bund.de/bgbl/1/2024/206/VO.html
6. Federal Foreign Office – Self-Determination Act (overview and dates). https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/04-familymatters/self-determination-2671874
7. VORIS – NSchG §128 Werte und Normen (German). https://voris.wolterskluwer-online.de/browse/document/c271f97b-a27d-3025-a69a-31f9a243b3dd
8. Lower Saxony Ministry of Education – Religious Education (overview). https://www.mk.niedersachsen.de/startseite/schule/schulerinnen_und_schuler_eltern/religionsunterricht/religionsunterricht-90778.html
9. Ministry circular on Religious Education and “Werte und Normen” (German). https://www.mk.niedersachsen.de/download/59640/Erlass_Religionsunterricht_1.8.2011.pdf
10. Ministry schedule – Religious holidays in the school year 2024/2025 (German). https://www.mk.niedersachsen.de/download/204213/Religioese_Feiertage_im_Schuljahr_2024-2025.pdf
11. Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency – AGG overview. https://www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de/EN/about-discrimination/order-and-law/general-equal-treatment-act/general-equal-treatment-act-node.html
12. Serviceportal Niedersachsen – Funding for supplementary integration measures. https://service.niedersachsen.de/en/detail?ags=03454&areaId=31672&infotype=0&pstCatId=484609603&pstGroupId=&pstId=449710008
13. City of Braunschweig – Integration, Diversity and Democracy. https://www.braunschweig.de/leben/soziales/migration/index.php
14. City of Osnabrück – Migrationsbeirat (official portal). https://demokratisch.osnabrueck.de/de/mitwirken/beiraete-und-runde-tische/migrationsbeirat/
15. City of Göttingen – Equality Office contact for IDAHOBITA*. https://gleichstellung.goettingen.de/idahobita-in-goettingen/
16. City of Oldenburg – Equality Office (service portal entry). https://serviceportal.oldenburg.de/buergerservice/verwaltung/gleichstellungsbeauftragte-gleichstellungsbuero-900000009-36200.html
17. City of Oldenburg – Equality Office overview. https://www.oldenburg.de/startseite/leben-umwelt/soziales/gleichstellung.html
18. Lower Saxony Commissioner for Migration and Participation. https://www.migrationsbeauftragter-niedersachsen.de/die-landesbeauftragte/
19. Ministry information note on religious holidays and participation (example circular). https://bbs3-ol.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Information_religioese-Feiertage_Veranstaltungen.pdf
20. schure.de – Regulation on school attendance and religious events (German). https://www.schure.de/22410/36-3-82013.htm
21. City of Hanover – WIR 2.0 migration and participation strategy. https://www.hannover.de/Leben-in-der-Region-Hannover/Verwaltungen-Kommunen/Die-Verwaltung-der-Landeshauptstadt-Hannover/Dezernate-und-Fachbereiche-der-LHH/Soziales-und-Integration/Fachbereich-Gesellschaftliche-Teilhabe/Die-Struktur/Einwanderungsstadt-Hannover/Grundsatzangelegenheiten-der-Einwanderung/WIR-2.0-Migration-und-Teilhabe
22. City of Oldenburg – Committee for Integration and Migration. https://www.oldenburg.de/startseite/leben-umwelt/soziales/integration/migration-und-teilhabe/gremien-und-netzwerke/ausschuss-fuer-integration-und-migration.html
23. Förderatlas Teilhabe Niedersachsen – Funding: City of Hanover WIR 2.0. https://www.foerderatlas-teilhabe-nds.de/foerderer/landeshauptstadt-hannover/
24. City of Hanover – Information page on WIR 2.0 strategy. https://www.hannover.de/Leben-in-der-Region-Hannover/Verwaltungen-Kommunen/Die-Verwaltung-der-Landeshauptstadt-Hannover/Dezernate-und-Fachbereiche-der-LHH/Soziales-und-Integration/Fachbereich-Gesellschaftliche-Teilhabe/Die-Struktur/Einwanderungsstadt-Hannover/Grundsatzangelegenheiten-der-Einwanderung/WIR-2.0-Migration-und-Teilhabe/Infos-zum-WIR-2.0
25. City of Hanover – Funding goals page mentioning WIR 2.0. https://zuwendungen.hannover-stadt.de/zielsetzungen.cfm
26. City of Braunschweig – LSBTIQ* Coordination Office. https://www.braunschweig.de/leben/soziales/lsbti/index.php
27. Niedersächsischer Integrationsrat – Member municipalities (overview). https://nds-nir.de/mitgliedskommunen
28. Lower Saxony Ministry for Social Affairs – Sexual and gender diversity policy. https://www.ms.niedersachsen.de/startseite/jugend_familie/familien_kinder_und_jugendliche/familien/geschlechtliche_und_sexuelle_vielfalt/geschlechtliche-und-sexuelle-vielfalt-13779.html
29. stärkt.osnabrueck.de – Integration management and migration social counseling. https://staerkt.osnabrueck.de/de/chancengleichheit-und-teilhabe/integrationsmanagement/
30. Förderatlas Teilhabe Niedersachsen – Integrationsförderung Braunschweig. https://www.foerderatlas-teilhabe-nds.de/foerderungen/integrationsfoerderung-stadt-braunschweig/
31. Queeres Netzwerk Niedersachsen (QNN). https://qnn.de/aktuelles/
32. City of Göttingen – Equality Office contacts and LSBTIQ* posts. https://gleichstellung.goettingen.de/jugendhilfe-fuer-alle-schwule-lesbische-und-trans-jugendliche-in-verbaenden-freizeitangeboten-und-einrichtungen/
33. Polizei Niedersachsen – Onlinewache and reporting options. https://www.polizei-nds.de/startseite/wir_uber_uns/onlinewache/onlinewache-der-polizei-niedersachsen-112182.html
34. City of Osnabrück – Integration management note. https://staerkt.osnabrueck.de/de/chancengleichheit-und-teilhabe/integrationsmanagement/
35. City of Hanover – District integration boards and notices. https://www.hannover.de/Leben-in-der-Region-Hannover/B%C3%BCrger-Service/Stadtbezirksportale-Hannover/Stadtbezirk-Mitte/Den-Stadtbezirk-mitgestalten/Gremien-im-Stadtbezirk/Integrationsbeirat-Mitte
36. Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior – Quality and complaints management. https://www.mi.niedersachsen.de/startseite/service/beschwerdestelle_fur_burgerinnen_und_burger_und_polizei/qualitats-und-beschwerdemanagement-im-niedersachsischen-ministerium-fur-inneres-sport-und-digitalisierung-125825.html
