Germany has prevented more than 28,000 irregular migrants from entering the country since May 2025
Germany has blocked over 28,000 irregular migrants from entering the country since expanding border controls in May 2025, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), signaling a major shift in migration management.
Between May 2025 and early April 2026, German authorities refused entry to 28,684 people at land borders. However, 1,104 migrants were still allowed in under special circumstances, particularly those considered vulnerable, such as unaccompanied minors. Among those denied entry, 1,242 individuals had already applied for asylum in other European Union countries.
The stricter border approach appears to be having a wider impact. In the first quarter of 2026, Germany recorded 28,922 asylum applications, marking a 23 percent decrease compared to the same period last year. This decline reflects a broader European trend, where migration numbers have been steadily falling.
For the first time since 2015, Germany is no longer the leading destination for asylum seekers in Europe, dropping to fourth place. France now leads with 34,643 applications, followed by Spain and Italy, according to data from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA).
Across the EU+ region, which includes the 27 EU member states along with Norway and Switzerland, a total of 173,082 asylum applications were filed in early 2026, representing an overall decrease of 18 percent compared to the previous year.
The profile of asylum seekers has also shifted significantly. Venezuela now accounts for the highest number of applications, followed closely by Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Syria, once the top source of asylum seekers, has fallen to fifth place after the official end of its civil war in December 2024, with applications dropping sharply by 63 percent.
Applications from Ukrainian refugees have also declined notably, falling by 57 percent to just over 4,000 cases. Experts say the reduced number of applicants from Syria and Ukraine is a key factor behind the overall decline in asylum requests, particularly in Germany.