The dedicated SMART Berlin team offers individual counselling on various topics related to sex work. Through further training, exchange and openness, we are constantly educating ourselves and expanding our counselling services. If required, we can refer you to the necessary resources or agencies.
Our consultations are free, anonymous, non-judgmental and geared towards your individual needs. The aim of our services is for you to be better informed, safer and more self-determined in your work and to gain access to the resources you need. If you want to reorient yourself or get out of sex work, we will also advise you. We want to create a trusting environment in which sex workers can receive support and answers to their questions.
You can get advice from us:
- online via email at contact@smart-berlin.org
- by telephone on +49 (030) 609 62 202
- in person at our contact point at Schöneweider Str. 24, 12055 Berlin
Our office hours are
Tuesday 14:00 – 18:00
Thursday 11:00 – 15:00
You can also arrange a consultation appointment with us.
Sex Work
We understand sex work as any form of erotic or sexual services and performances in exchange for money or goods. A wide variety of people with a wide variety of motivations are involved in such a business – both as sex workers and as customers. As always, our advice is non-judgmental and geared towards the individual needs of those seeking advice.
In our counselling services, we deal with topics such as:
- Entry, exit, professionalisation in sex work
- Safety at work
- Advertising and marketing
- Dealing with clients and customers
- Cooperation with other colleagues or potential clients (e.g. film studios) or workplaces (e.g. massage parlours)
- Financial management
- Bureaucracy and Public Authorities
…any other individual needs and questions
Health
At SMART Berlin, we consider health to be an essential foundation for a fulfilling life and safe work – regardless of gender, sexual orientation or professional activity. We recognise that people in sex work often face unique challenges when it comes to their health. That’s why we want to ensure that all of our visitors have access to the information and resources they need to take the best care of their health. We educate and refer when needed.
We provide advice on health issues, including:
- Prevention and treatment
- Safer Sex
- HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
- PrEP and PEP
- Safer use / safer drug use, ChemSex and addiction
- Testing services
- Mental health
- Health system and health insurance
…your individual needs and questions.
We cannot carry out tests or treatments on site and are not trained medical staff. We offer basic advice and referrals if necessary. Our sibling project subway has a weekly medical consultation every Friday from 5 to 7 pm.
Social Counselling
Our social counselling service supports sex workers with social, financial, and administrative matters. We provide guidance on issues related to income support benefits, unemployment benefits, job centres, public authorities, applications, and understanding official letters and decisions. We also advise on available financial support and help identify suitable funding opportunities, foundations, charities, and other organisations that may be able to assist.
When needed, we can accompany clients to appointments with public authorities, government offices, counselling services, or other important meetings, while supporting them in advocating for their own needs and making informed decisions. We also refer clients to specialised counselling and support services whenever appropriate.
Our counselling is confidential, anonymous, free of charge, and tailored to each person’s individual needs.
Cooperation
Together with our network partners, we offer information and advice on legal matters, as well as compassionate support and counselling for people affected by violence.
Legal Information and Advice
Sex work is legal and regulated in Germany. Depending on your area of work and your residence status, different laws, rights, requirements, and challenges may apply. Most importantly: we support everyone within our target groups, regardless of whether you are registered or unregistered, or whether you work with or without legal status.
We provide information and advice on:
- the Prostitute Protection Act (Prostituiertenschutzgesetz – ProstSchG) and registration requirements
- your rights as a sex worker
- social, labour, migration, and criminal law
- taxes
- and any other legal questions or individual concerns you may have.
Please note that we are not lawyers or tax advisers. If you require more specialised legal or tax advice, we can refer you to appropriate services or help you access further support.
SMART Berlin offers a monthly legal advice clinic on the second Thursday of every month from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. The clinic primarily covers migration law, social law, and criminal law.
To book an appointment, please send us an email or give us a call.
All counselling is confidential. We will never share your personal information without your consent.
TIN* Anti-Violence Counselling
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday | 1:00–3:00 pm
For trans, inter, and non-binary sex workers**
Provided by Provided by Inter*Trans*Beratung Queer Leben
SMART Berlin
Schöneweider Straße 24
12055 Berlin
Many trans*, inter*, and non-binary people experience violence during their lives. If this has happened to you, you are not alone, and support is available.
Our counselling is free, confidential, and anonymous upon request. You decide what you want to talk about and what kind of support you need.
We offer support for people who have experienced different forms of violence, including physical, sexualised, psychological, domestic, medical, and anti-TIN* hate violence. This may include violence in public, at home, in intimate relationships, or in the context of sex work.
We can support you in coping with the effects of violence, provide information about your rights and available options, and connect you with lawyers, healthcare providers, emergency accommodation, and other specialised services when needed.
You are welcome to attend our drop-in counselling without an appointment. You can enter through the main glass door or, for more privacy, via the staircase.
If you would like to contact us beforehand, please email:
We will never share your personal information without your consent.