The shift in asylum policy: more than 150,000 applications and only 933 rejections
Germany has recorded more than 157,000 asylum applications this year, while only 993 asylum seekers were returned at the border, prompting critics to question the government's commitment to its promised shift in asylum policy.
Data released by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge – BAMF) showed that Afghans make up the largest group of asylum seekers with 59,215 applications, followed by Syrians with 23,078 applications. In total, the number of initial applications reached 106,298, in addition to 51,138 subsequent applications.
By the end of November, BAMF had issued decisions on 288,320 cases. A total of 135,348 applications were rejected, resulting in an overall protection rate of 27.2%. Acceptance rates varied significantly, with 65.4% of Afghan applications approved, compared to only 1.6% of Syrian applications.
The German Federal Ministry of the Interior (Bundesministerium des Innern – BMI) reported that only 756 Afghans have entered Germany through resettlement programs under the current government, compared to 37,600 Afghans accepted since 2021 under previous governments. Thousands of Afghans who were promised acceptance under the previous traffic light coalition (Ampelkoalition) still face uncertainty.
At the same time, the number of deportations increased by 18% to reach 19,538 cases by the end of October. The number of family reunification visas also decreased to 101,756 visas by late November, following the suspension of family reunification rights for individuals granted subsidiary protection by the grand coalition led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which heightened concerns about the ongoing contradictions in German asylum policy.