Official figures indicate a continued decline in initial asylum applications compared to the previous year. Data released to “Bild am Sonntag” reveals that authorities registered 70,011 applications between January and July. This represents a significant decrease from the 140,783 applications recorded during the same period in 2024, marking a reduction of over 50 percent.
While July saw a modest increase in applications, reaching 8,293 compared to fewer than 7,000 in June, the figure remains substantially lower than the 18,503 applications processed in July 2024, according to the report.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced further measures focused on combating human smuggling networks. He stated that the reduction in initial asylum requests represents a significant achievement and affirmed the continuation of current policies. These policies prioritize processing applications at the EU’s external borders, expediting decision-making processes and implementing stricter return procedures. Dobrindt emphasized a commitment to intensifying efforts against smuggling organizations, asserting the state’s responsibility in regulating immigration and preventing exploitation by criminal groups.