Border controls have been in effect for the past three months. What are the outcomes of these measures? - Implemented Custom Border Regulations Span Over Three Months
In the past three months, Germany has seen a significant reduction in asylum seekers following the reinstatement of stricter border controls. This change has been accompanied by a heightened workload for the Federal Police and increased overtime work, as reported.
According to recent data, asylum applications have nearly halved. In the first seven months of 2025, about 70,000 first-time requests were made, a stark contrast to the 140,783 applications received in the same period of 2024. The decrease reflects the impact of the tightened border controls and stricter policies initiated on May 8, 2025.
In July 2025 alone, only 8,300 first-time asylum applications were submitted, a 45% decrease compared to July 2024. The Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has emphasized the need to continue these measures, including denying entry to asylum seekers at the border and increasing deportations.
The intensified border controls have led to an increased number of personnel deployed daily at the borders. The figure has risen from around 11,000 to 14,000. However, exact figures on police personnel deployment and overtime are not specified in the search results. The scale of the tightened border enforcement and extended checks implies a heightened workload and operational pressure on border police and immigration officials, typical in such scenarios.
The border control extension beyond September and the accompanying efforts to deport irregular migrants signal ongoing demands on law enforcement resources. Critics have feared a lack of personnel at airports and train stations due to the summer travel rush and the intensified border controls. Some Federal Police stations are adjusting their duty plans and waiving training and further education to cope with the increased workload.
Despite the increased workload, the number of personnel at airports and train stations remains a secret for "operational reasons," according to the Ministry of the Interior. However, it has been reported that around 4,000 staff are missing at more than 5,700 railway stations and stops. The GdP has stated that the staffing at airports and train stations is "almost identical" to last year, but support forces from the reserve police and mobile units are missing.
By March 31, 2025, the number of pending overtime hours had already reached 2.4 million. The Federal Police had accumulated 2.9 million overtime hours by June 30, likely to have increased due to the additional workload at the borders. Overtime reduction leave is only granted restrictively. The federal government has emphasized that the increased border controls are not permanent.
The policy approach is justified by officials as necessary to control migration flow and enforce legal entry, despite controversy over asylum rights and Schengen principles. The controversy continues as the government navigates the balance between security and humanitarian concerns.
- In light of the ongoing asylum crisis, EC countries are considering implementing stricter vocational training policies for their border and immigration personnel, acknowledging the increased workload and operational pressure they face.
- As the border control measures continue to dominate policy-and-legislation discussions, politics and general-news outlets are closely monitoring the effectiveness of these policies in dealing with the migrant influx, while emphasizing the need for balanced approaches that respect asylum rights and Schengen principles.
