Skip to content

Germany’s New Asylum Law: Changes to Safe Country Listings and Citizenship Rules

On 5th December, Germany took another decisive step in reshaping its migration landscape. The Bundestag (German Parliament’s lower house) passed a new coalition-backed law that tightens several aspects of asylum policy, signaling a continued political shift toward stricter migration control.

In a recorded vote, 457 lawmakers supported the bill, while 130 opposed it—an outcome that underscores just how central migration has become in German political debates, as infomigrants.net reports.

A Faster Path to Reject “Manifestly Unfounded” Claims

One of the most significant elements of Germany’s New Asylum Rules is the government’s new power to designate safe countries of origin by ordinance, without requiring approval from the Bundesrat. Furthermore, this mechanism applies to protection claims made under the Geneva Refugee Convention or for subsidiary protection, but not to formal asylum applications themselves.

According to the German government, this step is meant to speed up asylum procedures. This means by labeling certain applications as “manifestly unfounded” from the outset, authorities hope to reduce processing times and send a clear message to people from designated safe countries:
Unless you have strong, individual evidence of persecution, your application will likely fail.

What Counts as a “Safe Country”?

The concept of a safe country isn’t new. Under Germany’s Asylum Act, a safe country is defined as a place where persecution is generally not to be expected. Applicants from these countries face a higher burden of proof—they must clearly demonstrate why they, in particular, were at risk.

Alexander Throm (CDU), the interior policy spokesperson for the Union parliamentary group, emphasized this shift:

“With this Bundestag decision, the policy shift in migration policy continues.”

He also announced the government’s aim to add Algeria, India, Morocco, and Tunisia to the list of safe countries of origin.

Countries Currently Listed as Safe (as of 2024)

Below is a combined list of the existing and newly proposed safe countries of origin under Germany’s evolving asylum framework.

CategoryCountries
EU Member StatesAll EU countries
Additional Countries (BAMF 2024)Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Ghana, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Republic of Moldova, Senegal, Serbia
Countries Proposed Under Germany’s New Asylum RulesAlgeria, India, Morocco, Tunisia

People from any country on this list will be informed early in the process that their asylum claim is unlikely to succeed unless they present compelling evidence of persecution.

Removal of State-Funded Legal Counsel for Deportation Cases

Another notable change—one that has sparked debate—is the removal of the automatic right to legal counsel for people placed in deportation detention or custody pending deportation.

This right had been introduced only months earlier, in February 2024, by the former SPD-led coalition (with the Greens and FDP). The reversal indicates a clear policy swing. Critics argue it weakens procedural fairness, while supporters say it prevents unnecessary delays.

Stricter Controls on Citizenship Fraud

The legislation doesn’t stop at asylum rules; it also tightens German citizenship regulations.

Under the new framework:

  • Individuals found to have obtained citizenship through fraud, bribery, threats, corruption, or false information will be barred from reapplying for 10 years.
  • If someone already been granted citizenship is later discovered to have used such methods, the ten-year ban still applies after revocation.

This addition came following consultations with the Interior Affairs Committee.

Again, CDU’s Alexander Throm summarized the broader political direction:

“The political change when it comes to migration policy is continuing to move forward.”

Why Germany Is Making These Changes

The government says the updated rules aim to:

  • Reduce abuse of the asylum system
  • Focus resources on individuals genuinely in need of protection
  • Deter unfounded applications from people unlikely to qualify
  • Restore public confidence in the migration process

At the same time, authorities emphasize that each case will still be examined individually. The core principle of asylum law remains in place: personal evidence of danger always matters, even if one comes from a so-called safe country.

What Comes Next?

As Germany’s New Asylum Rules roll out, their real impact will unfold over the coming months. Faster procedures may ease administrative burdens, but debates over fairness, legal access, and effectiveness are far from over.

One thing is clear: Germany is entering a new chapter in migration policy—one defined by tighter controls, faster decisions, and a political commitment to reshape the system from the ground up.