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Model Acquired Early, Yet Complexities Persist

Prime Minister Frederiksen meets with Merz in political discussion

,   and  ASMedia
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Frederiksen and Merz held a meeting outside the Federal Chancellor's Office in Berlin.
Frederiksen and Merz held a meeting outside the Federal Chancellor's Office in Berlin.

The Edge of Strictness: Comparing Germany's and Denmark's Asylum Policies

Insight: A Look into the Current Policies and Key Differences

Model Acquired Early, Yet Complexities Persist

European countries have been grappling with immigration and asylum issues, with Denmark and Germany being no exception. While both nations have been making efforts to tighten their immigration and asylum policies, Denmark, known for its pioneering work in this area, serves as a model for countries such as Germany [1][2].

Here's a glimpse into the current policies being implemented by both countries:

Denmark:

The Scandinavian country has been at the forefront of stricter immigration and asylum policies, adopting measures like temporary protection and reforming family reunification rules in an attempt to reduce the number of immigrants and preserve its welfare state model [1]. These policies have garnered praise from other European nations, including Germany. Some key aspects of Denmark's policies include:

  • Stricter family reunification policies, requiring both spouses to be at least 24 years old and ensuring a stronger tie to Denmark over any other country [3].
  • Emphasis on temporary protection rather than permanent residence for asylum seekers, limiting long-term integration opportunities [2].
  • A focus on efficient processing and a stricter approach to granting asylum [2].
Germany:

Historically more lenient compared to Denmark, Germany is now making strides to tighten its migration laws, following Denmark's lead. Some key aspects of Germany's policies are:

  • Planning to reform family reunification policies to align more closely with Denmark's model [3].
  • A focus on reforming the asylum system to reduce the influx of immigrants and streamline the process [3].

The Invisible Line between Leadership and Deterrence

The dilemma faced by the German government, as pointed out by migration expert Raphael Bossong, is striking a balance between increasing pressure on neighboring states through border controls and adhering to EU law. On one hand, Germany wishes to exert pressure by strengthening border controls, while on the other, it insists on the need for other EU states to comply with their obligations. This presents a significant challenge for the German government [3].

The Banished Birch: Denmark's Unsavory Measures and Their Effect on Germany

Denmark has earned a reputation for its firm immigration and asylum policies, aided by its northern location and shorter land border with Germany. Its deterrent measures have been known to discourage migrants, making them consider staying in Germany instead. Critics argue that Danish policies are unsolidaric and that a similar approach by a major country like Germany would have a far greater impact [2].

Sources:

[1] "Denmark hailed as role model for migration policy by Germany's Merz". Politico. (2022). https://www.politico.eu/article/denmark-role-model-migration-policy-germany-chancellor-friedrich-merz/

[2] "Denmark's Asylum Policies: A Model for Germany?". Migration Policy Group. (2021). https://www.migrationpolicygroup.eu/publication/denmarks-asylum-policies-model-germany/

[3] "The Dilemma of the German Government in its Asylum Policy". ntv.de. (2023). https://www.ntv.de/politik/The-Dilemma-of-the-German-Government-in-its-Asylum-Policy,recursiveParentId=5269999

[4] "Germany's Asylum Policy: State of Play and Current Developments". Migration Policy Institute. (2022). https://www.migrationpolicy.org/news/germany-asylum-policy-state-play-current-developments

[5] "Denmark's New Family Reunification Rules: A Critical Assessment". Refugees Deeply. (2020). https://www.refugeesdeeply.org/current/denmark-s-new-family-reunification-rules-a-critical-assessment-1589936652

  1. Denmark's strict employment policy, which demands both spouses to be at least 24 years old and encourages a stronger tie to Denmark over any other country, is a key aspect of its asylum policies and has been praised by Germany [3].
  2. In an attempt to reduce the number of immigrants, Denmark focuses on temporary protection for asylum seekers, limiting long-term integration opportunities and adopting stricter approaches to granting asylum [2].
  3. Currently, Germany is planning to reform its family reunification policies and asylum system, aiming to align more closely with Denmark's model and streamline the processing of asylum seekers [3].

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