In the first half of 2025, Germany experienced a significant drop in asylum applications, with reports indicating a drop of about 43% compared to the same period in 2024. According to German media citing EU asylum agency (EUAA) Data, Germany recorded 61,300 to 65,495 asylum requests for the first time from January to June 2025. In particular, June 2025 saw less than 7,000 requests, marking the lowest monthly figure since March 2013.
This drop positioned Germany as the third recipient of asylum applications in the EU, behind Spain (76,020 applications) and France (75,428 applications). The majority of candidates in Germany came from Afghanistan (22%), Syria (20%) and Turkey (11%). Stricter migration policies, including increased deportations and border controls under the chancellor Friedrich Merzare cited as factors contributing to this trend.
The 43% drop in asylum applications reflects the effectiveness of stricter migration policies within the framework of the Government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, including improved border controls, accelerated deportations and tightened asylum regulations. These measures align with a broader EU trend towards stricter immigration policies, as countries like Spain and France show, which are always faced with higher application numbers.
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The reduction in the number of asylums can facilitate pressure on Germany’s administrative and social systems, such as housing, integration programs and public services, which have been tense in recent years due to high migration entries. The decline suggests that Germany becomes a less attractive destination for asylum seekers compared to Spain and France, who are now leading to asylum applications within the EU. This could be due to the tight policies of Germany, increased deportations or changes in migration pathways promoting the entry points from the south of the EU like Spain.
The concentration of candidates of Afghanistan, Syria and Turkey Indicates the ongoing geopolitical crises at the origin of migration, but the lower overall numbers can reflect an improvement in border management or deterrence measures in transit countries. A reduction in asylum seekers could have an impact on the German market of Germany, which has historically relied on migrants to deal with the shortages of labor, especially in the low-skilled sectors. Fewer asylum seekers can exacerbate challenges in an aging society with a declining workforce, which potentially increases the pressure to reform legal migration routes.
However, reducing pressure on public resources (for example, well-being, housing) could allow funds to be reallocated to other priorities, such as infrastructure or social programs for citizens. The decline can strengthen the support of the central-law government of Merz, which campaigned on stricter migration controls. This could strengthen the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) And his allies, in particular after years of public dissatisfaction on migration policies in the context of previous administrations.
Conversely, this can reduce fuel for the far -right parts as Alternative Für Deutschland (AFD)Who has capitalized on anti-immigrant feeling, although it depends on how the public perceives the broader treatment of the government of migration. Strict government policies led by the CDU have aroused criticism from the left parties (for example, Greens, SPD) and NGOs Pro-Migration, which argue that tightened rules and deportations undermine the humanitarian obligations and reputation of Germany as a paradise for refugees. This creates a polarized political landscape, with debates on the balance between border security and human rights.
The drop in Germany in asylum applications contrasts with higher numbers in Spain and France, highlighting the unequal sharing of the load in the EU. This could exacerbate tensions on the reform of EU asylum policies, because the southern and western states are pressure for a more equitable distribution of migrants. The German company remains divided on migration. Some citizens, in particular in urban areas, support integration and humanitarian asylum policies, while others, in particular in eastern states, are restrictive measures due to concerns about cultural integration and resource allocation.
The drop in applications can reduce social tensions but may alienate communities that appreciate the inheritance at the open door of Germany. Existing migrant communities, in particular Afghanistan and Syria, can deal with increased control and integration challenges, because the government favors more strict deportations and verification, potentially promoting feelings of exclusion or insecurity.
Urban areas with various savings may experience a less immediate impact on the reduction in asylum entries, as they benefit from the established migrant labor. Rural regions, however, can face labor shortages in sectors such as agriculture or construction, where asylum seekers often fill gaps. Reducing the number of asylums could release public funds, but the advantages may not be distributed as well. The richer regions can see a reinvestment in the infrastructure, while the poorer areas could continue to fight with under-funded services.
Germany’s more stringent policies can push asylum seekers to the southern EU countries, the tension of their resources and potentially leading to a diplomatic friction. Countries like Spain, now the main destination, may require greater support from the EU or criticize Germany’s approach as responsibility for diversion of responsibility. The change from Germany to restrictive policies could change its global image as a leader in humanitarian migration, potentially affecting its soft power and its relations with countries of origin such as Afghanistan and Syria.
The drop in asylum requests in Germany in 2025 reflects a change in deliberate policy which can alleviate internal pressures, but the risks deepen the divisions both in Germany and the EU. Politically, it strengthens the government’s position but fueling debates on humanitarian values. Socially, it can relieve integration challenges but alienate pro-migrant groups. Economically, it could exacerbate the shortages of labor while releasing resources. Internationally, he moves pressure from migration to other EU states, stressing the need for cohesive policies on the EU scale.
