Sinti and Roma have lived in Europe for centuries. In their respective home countries, they form historically evolved minorities that call themselves Sinti or Roma, with Sinti referring to members of the minority who are native to Western and Central Europe and Roma to those of Eastern and South-Eastern European origin. Outside the German-speaking world, Roma is used as a name for the entire minority.

Sinti and Roma have been at home in Germany for 600 years. They were first mentioned in a document in 1407 in the episcopal city of Hildesheim. According to estimates, around 60,000 German Sinti and around 10,000 German Roma live in Germany today. In addition to German, they speak the minority language Romani as a second mother tongue. The German Sinti and Roma live throughout Germany.

During the National Socialist tyranny, the Sinti and Roma were subjected to persecution and genocide – in Germany, the German-occupied territories and the countries allied with Hitler. Around 500,000 Sinti and Roma fell victim to the racial mania of the National Socialists and the systematically planned genocide against them, and their cultural heritage was largely destroyed.

Members of the German Sinti and Roma have organized themselves in various associations to represent their interests and strengthen their culture – such as the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma e.V. or the Sinti Alliance Germany.

> Specific minority legislation and measures