diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index 53020c40..65fa7e3d 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ before_script:
 
 script:
   - psql -c 'create database mpwo_test;' -U postgres
-  - docker-compose -f docker-compose-ci.yml run mpwo-api flask init_db
+  - docker-compose -f docker-compose-ci.yml run mpwo-api flask db migrate
+  - docker-compose -f docker-compose-ci.yml run mpwo-api flask db upgrade
   - sh test.sh
 
 after_script:
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 1a60b062..17b5da91 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@ make-p:
 	set -m; (for p in $(P); do ($(MAKE) $$p || kill 0)& done; wait)
 
 init-db:
-	$(FLASK) init_db
+	$(FLASK) drop_db
+	$(FLASK) db migrate
+	$(FLASK) db upgrade
+	$(FLASK) init_data
 
 install: install-client install-python
 
@@ -26,6 +29,9 @@ lint-python:
 lint-react:
 	$(NPM) lint
 
+migrate-db:
+	$(FLASK) db migrate
+
 serve-python:
 	$(FLASK) run --with-threads -h $(HOST) -p $(API_PORT)
 
@@ -40,3 +46,6 @@ test-e2e:
 
 test-python:
 	$(FLASK) test_local
+
+upgrade-db:
+	$(FLASK) db upgrade
diff --git a/migrations/README b/migrations/README
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..98e4f9c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/README
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Generic single-database configuration.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/migrations/alembic.ini b/migrations/alembic.ini
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f8ed4801
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/alembic.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+# A generic, single database configuration.
+
+[alembic]
+# template used to generate migration files
+# file_template = %%(rev)s_%%(slug)s
+
+# set to 'true' to run the environment during
+# the 'revision' command, regardless of autogenerate
+# revision_environment = false
+
+
+# Logging configuration
+[loggers]
+keys = root,sqlalchemy,alembic
+
+[handlers]
+keys = console
+
+[formatters]
+keys = generic
+
+[logger_root]
+level = WARN
+handlers = console
+qualname =
+
+[logger_sqlalchemy]
+level = WARN
+handlers =
+qualname = sqlalchemy.engine
+
+[logger_alembic]
+level = INFO
+handlers =
+qualname = alembic
+
+[handler_console]
+class = StreamHandler
+args = (sys.stderr,)
+level = NOTSET
+formatter = generic
+
+[formatter_generic]
+format = %(levelname)-5.5s [%(name)s] %(message)s
+datefmt = %H:%M:%S
diff --git a/migrations/env.py b/migrations/env.py
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..23663ff2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/env.py
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+from __future__ import with_statement
+from alembic import context
+from sqlalchemy import engine_from_config, pool
+from logging.config import fileConfig
+import logging
+
+# this is the Alembic Config object, which provides
+# access to the values within the .ini file in use.
+config = context.config
+
+# Interpret the config file for Python logging.
+# This line sets up loggers basically.
+fileConfig(config.config_file_name)
+logger = logging.getLogger('alembic.env')
+
+# add your model's MetaData object here
+# for 'autogenerate' support
+# from myapp import mymodel
+# target_metadata = mymodel.Base.metadata
+from flask import current_app
+config.set_main_option('sqlalchemy.url',
+                       current_app.config.get('SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI'))
+target_metadata = current_app.extensions['migrate'].db.metadata
+
+# other values from the config, defined by the needs of env.py,
+# can be acquired:
+# my_important_option = config.get_main_option("my_important_option")
+# ... etc.
+
+
+def run_migrations_offline():
+    """Run migrations in 'offline' mode.
+
+    This configures the context with just a URL
+    and not an Engine, though an Engine is acceptable
+    here as well.  By skipping the Engine creation
+    we don't even need a DBAPI to be available.
+
+    Calls to context.execute() here emit the given string to the
+    script output.
+
+    """
+    url = config.get_main_option("sqlalchemy.url")
+    context.configure(url=url)
+
+    with context.begin_transaction():
+        context.run_migrations()
+
+
+def run_migrations_online():
+    """Run migrations in 'online' mode.
+
+    In this scenario we need to create an Engine
+    and associate a connection with the context.
+
+    """
+
+    # this callback is used to prevent an auto-migration from being generated
+    # when there are no changes to the schema
+    # reference: http://alembic.zzzcomputing.com/en/latest/cookbook.html
+    def process_revision_directives(context, revision, directives):
+        if getattr(config.cmd_opts, 'autogenerate', False):
+            script = directives[0]
+            if script.upgrade_ops.is_empty():
+                directives[:] = []
+                logger.info('No changes in schema detected.')
+
+    engine = engine_from_config(config.get_section(config.config_ini_section),
+                                prefix='sqlalchemy.',
+                                poolclass=pool.NullPool)
+
+    connection = engine.connect()
+    context.configure(connection=connection,
+                      target_metadata=target_metadata,
+                      process_revision_directives=process_revision_directives,
+                      **current_app.extensions['migrate'].configure_args)
+
+    try:
+        with context.begin_transaction():
+            context.run_migrations()
+    finally:
+        connection.close()
+
+if context.is_offline_mode():
+    run_migrations_offline()
+else:
+    run_migrations_online()
diff --git a/migrations/script.py.mako b/migrations/script.py.mako
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..2c015630
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/script.py.mako
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+"""${message}
+
+Revision ID: ${up_revision}
+Revises: ${down_revision | comma,n}
+Create Date: ${create_date}
+
+"""
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+${imports if imports else ""}
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision = ${repr(up_revision)}
+down_revision = ${repr(down_revision)}
+branch_labels = ${repr(branch_labels)}
+depends_on = ${repr(depends_on)}
+
+
+def upgrade():
+    ${upgrades if upgrades else "pass"}
+
+
+def downgrade():
+    ${downgrades if downgrades else "pass"}
diff --git a/migrations/versions/9741fc7834da_.py b/migrations/versions/9741fc7834da_.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4f1f2f72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/versions/9741fc7834da_.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+"""empty message
+
+Revision ID: 9741fc7834da
+Revises: 
+Create Date: 2018-01-20 18:59:49.200032
+
+"""
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision = '9741fc7834da'
+down_revision = None
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade():
+    # ### commands auto generated by Alembic - please adjust! ###
+    op.create_table('users',
+    sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('username', sa.String(length=20), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('email', sa.String(length=120), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('password', sa.String(length=255), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('created_at', sa.DateTime(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('admin', sa.Boolean(), nullable=False),
+    sa.Column('first_name', sa.String(length=80), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('last_name', sa.String(length=80), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('birth_date', sa.DateTime(), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('location', sa.String(length=80), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('bio', sa.String(length=200), nullable=True),
+    sa.Column('picture', sa.String(length=255), nullable=True),
+    sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id'),
+    sa.UniqueConstraint('email'),
+    sa.UniqueConstraint('username')
+    )
+    # ### end Alembic commands ###
+
+
+def downgrade():
+    # ### commands auto generated by Alembic - please adjust! ###
+    op.drop_table('users')
+    # ### end Alembic commands ###
diff --git a/mpwo_api/mpwo_api/__init__.py b/mpwo_api/mpwo_api/__init__.py
index 4ab4bf06..0e8f083d 100644
--- a/mpwo_api/mpwo_api/__init__.py
+++ b/mpwo_api/mpwo_api/__init__.py
@@ -2,11 +2,13 @@ import logging
 
 from flask import Flask
 from flask_bcrypt import Bcrypt
+from flask_migrate import Migrate
 from flask_sqlalchemy import SQLAlchemy
 
 
 db = SQLAlchemy()
 bcrypt = Bcrypt()
+migrate = Migrate()
 appLog = logging.getLogger('mpwo_api')
 
 # instantiate the app
@@ -19,6 +21,7 @@ with app.app_context():
 # set up extensions
 db.init_app(app)
 bcrypt.init_app(app)
+migrate.init_app(app, db)
 
 from .users.auth import auth_blueprint  # noqa
 from .users.users import users_blueprint  # noqa
diff --git a/mpwo_api/requirements.txt b/mpwo_api/requirements.txt
index 5ae8b231..d3f181e8 100644
--- a/mpwo_api/requirements.txt
+++ b/mpwo_api/requirements.txt
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ flake8-isort==2.2.2
 flake8-polyfill==1.0.1
 Flask==0.12.2
 Flask-Bcrypt==0.7.1
+Flask-Migrate==2.1.1
 Flask-SQLAlchemy==2.3.2
 Flask-Testing==0.6.2
 isort==4.2.15
diff --git a/mpwo_api/server.py b/mpwo_api/server.py
index 5f2e4218..f87a96f8 100644
--- a/mpwo_api/server.py
+++ b/mpwo_api/server.py
@@ -5,10 +5,15 @@ from mpwo_api.users.models import User
 
 
 @app.cli.command()
-def init_db():
-    """Init the database."""
+def drop_db():
     db.drop_all()
-    db.create_all()
+    db.session.commit()
+    print('Database dropped.')
+
+
+@app.cli.command()
+def init_data():
+    """Init the database."""
     admin = User(
         username='admin',
         email='admin@example.com',
@@ -16,7 +21,7 @@ def init_db():
     admin.admin = True
     db.session.add(admin)
     db.session.commit()
-    print('Database initialization done.')
+    print('Admin created.')
 
 
 def run_test(test_path='mpwo_api/tests'):
diff --git a/yarn.lock b/yarn.lock
index f424870b..8ef78b02 100644
--- a/yarn.lock
+++ b/yarn.lock
@@ -1495,7 +1495,7 @@ chalk@1.1.3, chalk@^1.0.0, chalk@^1.1.0, chalk@^1.1.1, chalk@^1.1.3:
     strip-ansi "^3.0.0"
     supports-color "^2.0.0"
 
-chalk@^2.0.0, chalk@^2.1.0, chalk@^2.3.0:
+chalk@2.3.0, chalk@^2.0.0, chalk@^2.1.0, chalk@^2.3.0:
   version "2.3.0"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/chalk/-/chalk-2.3.0.tgz#b5ea48efc9c1793dccc9b4767c93914d3f2d52ba"
   dependencies:
@@ -1684,7 +1684,7 @@ concat-map@0.0.1:
   version "0.0.1"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/concat-map/-/concat-map-0.0.1.tgz#d8a96bd77fd68df7793a73036a3ba0d5405d477b"
 
-concat-stream@^1.6.0:
+concat-stream@^1.4.7, concat-stream@^1.6.0:
   version "1.6.0"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/concat-stream/-/concat-stream-1.6.0.tgz#0aac662fd52be78964d5532f694784e70110acf7"
   dependencies:
@@ -3285,10 +3285,6 @@ hash.js@^1.0.0, hash.js@^1.0.3:
     inherits "^2.0.3"
     minimalistic-assert "^1.0.0"
 
-hashids@^1.1.1:
-  version "1.1.4"
-  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/hashids/-/hashids-1.1.4.tgz#e4ff92ad66b684a3bd6aace7c17d66618ee5fa21"
-
 hawk@3.1.3, hawk@~3.1.3:
   version "3.1.3"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/hawk/-/hawk-3.1.3.tgz#078444bd7c1640b0fe540d2c9b73d59678e8e1c4"
@@ -4921,6 +4917,10 @@ os-locale@^2.0.0:
     lcid "^1.0.0"
     mem "^1.1.0"
 
+os-shim@^0.1.2:
+  version "0.1.3"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/os-shim/-/os-shim-0.1.3.tgz#6b62c3791cf7909ea35ed46e17658bb417cb3917"
+
 os-tmpdir@^1.0.0, os-tmpdir@^1.0.1, os-tmpdir@~1.0.1, os-tmpdir@~1.0.2:
   version "1.0.2"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/os-tmpdir/-/os-tmpdir-1.0.2.tgz#bbe67406c79aa85c5cfec766fe5734555dfa1274"
@@ -5424,6 +5424,14 @@ postcss@^6.0.0, postcss@^6.0.1, postcss@^6.0.13:
     source-map "^0.6.1"
     supports-color "^5.1.0"
 
+pre-commit@^1.2.2:
+  version "1.2.2"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/pre-commit/-/pre-commit-1.2.2.tgz#dbcee0ee9de7235e57f79c56d7ce94641a69eec6"
+  dependencies:
+    cross-spawn "^5.0.1"
+    spawn-sync "^1.0.15"
+    which "1.2.x"
+
 prelude-ls@~1.1.2:
   version "1.1.2"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/prelude-ls/-/prelude-ls-1.1.2.tgz#21932a549f5e52ffd9a827f570e04be62a97da54"
@@ -5673,12 +5681,6 @@ react-helmet@^5.2.0:
     prop-types "^15.5.4"
     react-side-effect "^1.1.0"
 
-react-key-index@^0.1.1:
-  version "0.1.1"
-  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/react-key-index/-/react-key-index-0.1.1.tgz#8319e4f0961ae44a8eb0a4f76e4c210ef6d39cda"
-  dependencies:
-    hashids "^1.1.1"
-
 react-redux@^5.0.6:
   version "5.0.6"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/react-redux/-/react-redux-5.0.6.tgz#23ed3a4f986359d68b5212eaaa681e60d6574946"
@@ -6414,6 +6416,13 @@ source-map@^0.6.1, source-map@~0.6.1:
   version "0.6.1"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/source-map/-/source-map-0.6.1.tgz#74722af32e9614e9c287a8d0bbde48b5e2f1a263"
 
+spawn-sync@^1.0.15:
+  version "1.0.15"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/spawn-sync/-/spawn-sync-1.0.15.tgz#b00799557eb7fb0c8376c29d44e8a1ea67e57476"
+  dependencies:
+    concat-stream "^1.4.7"
+    os-shim "^0.1.2"
+
 spdx-correct@~1.0.0:
   version "1.0.2"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/spdx-correct/-/spdx-correct-1.0.2.tgz#4b3073d933ff51f3912f03ac5519498a4150db40"
@@ -7362,6 +7371,12 @@ which-promise@^1.0.0:
     pinkie-promise "^1.0.0"
     which "^1.1.2"
 
+which@1.2.x:
+  version "1.2.14"
+  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/which/-/which-1.2.14.tgz#9a87c4378f03e827cecaf1acdf56c736c01c14e5"
+  dependencies:
+    isexe "^2.0.0"
+
 which@^1.1.2, which@^1.2.12, which@^1.2.14, which@^1.2.9:
   version "1.3.0"
   resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/which/-/which-1.3.0.tgz#ff04bdfc010ee547d780bec38e1ac1c2777d253a"