Germany records a sharp decline of 25% in illegal border crossings in 2025
Germany recorded more than 62,000 cases of illegal border crossings in 2025, representing a 25% decrease compared to the previous year. These figures come from the federal police and indicate a significant decline in unauthorized entries across land, air, and sea borders.
According to the newspaper Die Welt, the number of illegal entries has decreased by more than 50% over the past two years. In 2023, border authorities were detaining more than 20,000 people in some months, while this number had dropped to less than 4,600 by December.
The country has reimposed full checks at all land crossings in September 2024, expanding previous partial restrictions. These temporary measures aim to curb illegal immigration and have already been extended twice, reflecting the government's ongoing commitment to tightening border control.
The data also showed that tens of thousands of individuals were turned back at the border during the fifteen months following the reinstatement of checks. Authorities also arrested nearly 2,000 smugglers during this period, disrupting illegal migration networks.
The significant decrease in cases of illegal entry is attributed to the combination of strict border control, surveillance, and targeted operations against traffickers. Experts indicate that this trend reflects a tangible impact of strict measures on migration patterns in Germany.