A Chinese tourist reportedly found himself registered as refugee in Germany after having his wallet stolen.

The 31-year-old man from northern China traveled to Europe by himself and couldn't speak a word in English nor German, German media report.

He tried to seek help from the police after being robbed in Heidelberg, southwest Germany.

But the man ended up at a refugee registration office and unwittingly signed an asylum application.

There, his fingerprints taken and his passport was taken away.

He was then taken to a refugee shelter in the northern Dülmen and given food and spending money like other refugees.

"He simply did what he was told," An official from the German Red Cross said.

His plight was only noticed when he came to the attention of Red Cross staff 12 days later, with the help of a translation app and an interpreter from a local Chinese restaurant.

After the mistake was realized, he was allowed to continue his travels, heading to France and Italy as planned, says media.

The Chinese Embassy in Germany says they are confirming the authenticity of the reports as the embassy has not received any information about the man.