Germany has introduced a major shift in its migration policy over the past year, focusing on stricter enforcement, stronger action against illegal migration, and tougher measures for criminal offenders who are required to leave the country.
This means the new approach aims to reduce so-called pull factors, ease pressure on Germany’s reception and integration systems, and bring national migration rules more closely in line with wider European Union reforms.
The policy changes include tighter border checks, reforms to asylum procedures, new rules on naturalisation, limits on family reunification for certain groups, expanded deportation measures, and closer cooperation with EU partners on returns and migration management.
Summary of Key Changes in Germany’s Migration Policy
| Policy Area | Main Change |
| Border control | Tighter temporary checks and enforcement of refusal of entry |
| EU asylum policy | Implementation of the reformed Common European Asylum System |
| Naturalisation | Fast-track citizenship after three years ended; five-year rule restored |
| Family reunification | Suspended for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection from July 2025 to July 2027 |
| Deportations | Stronger removals policy for criminals and security threats |
| Voluntary returns | Increased support through the REAG/GARP programme |
| Safe countries | Expanded German and EU-level lists of safe countries of origin |
| Residence law | Stronger focus on limiting migration based on capacity |
| Deportation custody | Mandatory legal representation ended at final removal stage |
A New Direction for European Migration Policy
Germany’s migration policy is now closely linked with broader European efforts to reform asylum and return procedures. Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt has worked with European partners through bilateral meetings and migration summits, including the Zugspitze Migration Summit in July 2025 and the Munich Migration Meeting in October 2025.
In December 2025, EU interior ministers met in Brussels and agreed on key elements of a stricter European migration framework. These included:
- A new EU regulation on returns
- The use of innovative solutions such as return hubs
- EU-level designation of safe countries of origin
- A solidarity mechanism to support member states facing high migration pressure
These measures are designed to make migration policy across Europe more consistent, controlled, and effective.
Reform of the Common European Asylum System
A central part of the new policy is the reform of the Common European Asylum System, also known as CEAS. The reform is intended to limit, manage, and control migration into the European Union while creating common standards across member states.
Germany has already taken steps to implement CEAS into national law. On 3 September 2025, the Federal Government adopted two bills to transpose the reforms. These bills were later passed by the German Bundestag on 27 February 2026 and finalised by the Bundesrat on 27 March 2026.
Most of the new provisions are expected to enter into force on 12 June 2026, at the same time as the EU-wide CEAS reforms take effect.
Stronger Controls at Internal and External Borders
On 7 May 2025, Federal Minister Dobrindt instructed the Federal Police to intensify temporary border checks and enforce refusals of entry at Germany’s internal borders. According to the policy direction, these steps were introduced because the EU’s Dublin system for asylum seekers had reached its limits.
The goal is to strengthen protection of the EU’s external borders and eventually restore smooth free movement within the Schengen area.
End of Fast-Track Naturalisation
Germany has also changed its naturalisation rules. In late October 2025, amendments to the Nationality Act ended the possibility of becoming a naturalised German citizen after only three years of lawful residence.
Under the new rules, naturalisation generally requires at least five years of lawful residence. The change reflects the government’s position that citizenship should come after a successful integration process, rather than at the beginning of it.
Suspension of Family Reunification for Subsidiary Protection Beneficiaries
Another major reform is the temporary suspension of family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. This suspension is in effect from 24 July 2025 to 23 July 2027.
The government argues that Germany’s admission and integration systems are already under heavy pressure. It also states that migrant smuggling networks often rely on one family member reaching Germany so that others can later join through family reunification.
By suspending family reunification for this group, the government aims to reduce pull factors and disrupt the business model of criminal smuggling gangs. A review will take place before the suspension ends to determine whether the measure should be extended.
Residence Act to Focus More Clearly on Limiting Migration
Germany also plans to reintroduce the word “restrict” into the purpose of the Residence Act. This change is intended to make clear that the Act is not only meant to manage migration, but also to limit the number of people entering Germany.
The policy signals that Germany will take its admission and integration capacities into account when applying the residence law. Discretionary provisions are expected to be applied more restrictively.
Tougher Deportation Policy for Criminal Offenders
Strict enforcement of removals is one of the main pillars of Germany’s new migration approach. Criminal offenders and individuals considered potential threats who are legally required to leave Germany are to be deported without exception, including to Syria and Afghanistan.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior is working on legal changes to increase deportations, in line with the government’s coalition agreement. Germany is also supporting EU-level efforts to create a Return Regulation and is exploring the use of return hubs outside the European Union when deportation to a person’s country of origin is not possible.
Moreover, over the past 12 months, 138 Afghan nationals were deported to Afghanistan. According to the provided information, all were men who had committed crimes in Germany and had no further legal possibility of appeal.
Increase in Voluntary Returns
Germany has also recorded a rise in voluntary returns. In 2025, 16,576 people received assistance through the REAG/GARP support programme to return to their country of origin or another country willing to admit them. This was a 60% increase compared with the previous year.
The trend continued in 2026. From January to March 2026, 4,166 people left Germany voluntarily with support from the REAG/GARP programme, around 30% more than during the same period in 2025.
Safe Countries of Origin
Germany has amended its legislation to make it easier for the Federal Government to designate safe countries of origin by statutory instrument, without needing separate parliamentary approval.
On 2 February 2026, Germany designated the following countries as safe countries of origin for international protection:
| Safe Countries of Origin Designated by Germany |
| Albania |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Georgia |
| Ghana |
| Kosovo |
| North Macedonia |
| Montenegro |
| Republic of Moldova |
| Senegal |
| Serbia |
Under the CEAS reform, which takes effect on 12 June 2026, safe countries of origin can also be designated at the EU level. The EU list will apply directly in all member states and will take precedence over Germany’s national list.
From 12 June 2026, all EU candidate countries except Ukraine will be considered safe countries of origin. These include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, and Turkey. The EU has also designated Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Colombia, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia as safe countries of origin.
What the Safe Country Designation Means
When a country is designated as safe, asylum applications from that country are generally treated under the assumption that the applicant is not at risk of persecution. However, each application is still examined individually, and applicants can present evidence showing that they personally face danger or persecution.
For applicants from safe countries of origin, procedures are usually faster. Appeal deadlines may be shorter, legal proceedings may no longer automatically suspend removal, and applicants may face stricter residence obligations. They are also generally not allowed to work while their asylum application is being processed.
End of Mandatory Legal Representation in Deportation Custody
The amended legislation has also ended mandatory legal representation for people held in custody while awaiting deportation. The government’s position is that, by this stage, individuals required to leave Germany have already exhausted their administrative and legal options. The change is intended to prevent further delays in deportations.