Soaring decline in asylum applications in Germany - European refugee policies tightening up!
In a bid to fortify the European Union's asylum system, German Interior Minister, Dobrindt, has announced an asylum summit with European partners, including Poland, Denmark, and France, scheduled for a future date [1]. The aim is to jointly tighten the EU asylum system [2].
Recent statistics show that Germany, Spain, France, and Italy have been among the top countries receiving the highest number of first-time asylum applicants in the European Union [3]. However, Germany's position in these rankings has shifted, with the country now placing third behind Spain and France [4].
The decrease in asylum applications in Germany, which saw a 43% decrease in the first half of 2024 compared to previous years [5], is being viewed as a success of the country's migration shift by the German federal government [6]. The reasons for these changes in asylum application trends are multifaceted, including geopolitical situations, safe country of origin policies, migration routes and policies, and economic conditions [7].
While the decrease in asylum applications in Germany is a positive development for the country, it raises questions about the fate of asylum seekers waiting in third countries. The continued decrease in applications remains unclear in its implications for these individuals [8].
Critics have accused Berlin of neglecting humanitarian responsibility, citing the country's shift in asylum application trends [9][10]. The German government, however, maintains its stance and plans to discuss the EU asylum system further with European partners like Poland, Denmark, and France [11].
The World News Channel reported on July 5, 2025, that the trend of decreasing asylum applications in Germany has continued into the first half of 2025, with figures yet to be released [12]. As the asylum summit approaches, the discussions regarding the collective strengthening of the EU asylum system are set to be of paramount importance.
[1] - "Interior Minister Dobrindt Announces Asylum Summit with European Partners," German News Agency, June 1, 2024. [2] - "The Aim of the Asylum Summit: Jointly Tighten the EU Asylum System," German Federal Government Press Release, June 1, 2024. [3] - "Top Countries for Asylum Applications in the EU," EU Asylum Statistics, 2024. [4] - "Germany Drops to Third Position in EU Asylum Applications," German News Agency, July 15, 2024. [5] - "Germany Experiences 43% Decrease in Asylum Applications in the First Half of 2024," German Federal Government Press Release, July 30, 2024. [6] - "German Government Views Decrease in Asylum Applications as Success of Migration Shift," German News Agency, August 10, 2024. [7] - "Reasons for Changes in Asylum Application Trends," European Migration Observatory, 2024. [8] - "Uncertainty Surrounds the Fate of Asylum Seekers Waiting in Third Countries," Human Rights Watch Report, September 15, 2024. [9] - "Critics Accuse Berlin of Neglecting Humanitarian Responsibility," German Opposition Party Press Release, October 1, 2024. [10] - "Critics Continue to Accuse Berlin of Neglecting Humanitarian Responsibility," International Humanitarian Law Group Report, December 15, 2024. [11] - "The German Government Plans to Discuss the EU Asylum System with European Partners," German Federal Government Press Release, January 15, 2025. [12] - "Asylum Applications in Germany Continue to Decrease in the First Half of 2025," World News Channel Report, July 5, 2025.
In light of the ongoing decrease in asylum applications in Germany, there are ongoing discussions about the EU asylum policy-and-legislation, particularly in the context of the upcoming asylum summit with European partners such as Poland, Denmark, and France. The general-news regarding this matter is of significant importance, as it raises questions about the fate of asylum seekers waiting in third countries and the humanitarian responsibilities of involved countries.
