The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) has terminated a total of 7,264 asylum procedures during the first half of 2025. These terminations occurred because asylum seekers were untraceable or otherwise failed to participate in the proceedings, according to a response from Bamf to an inquiry by the newspaper “Welt.
A spokesperson for the agency confirmed to “Welt” that in all cases where a procedure is halted, Bamf follows Section 33, Paragraph 1, of the Asylum Act, resulting in the termination or rejection of the asylum application after a thorough review. A prerequisite for this action is that the asylum seeker has been formally notified of the legal consequences in writing and with confirmation of receipt.
Bamf suspects non-participation when an individual fails to provide requested information, misses scheduled hearings without explanation, or becomes untraceable, hindering authorities’ ability to locate them. Instances where an asylum seeker violates the obligation to reside at their assigned accommodation or travels back to their home country during the proceedings also constitute non-participation.
According to the legislative rationale, a situation is considered “untraceable” when the applicant is no longer locatable by state authorities, as this signifies a violation of the obligation to be reachable. However, Bamf can only assume “untraceable” with a sufficient factual basis, considering factors such as the duration of non-traceability. Following the termination of an asylum procedure, Bamf typically issues an order to leave the country and a threat of deportation.
Calls for stricter regulations have recently emerged, including a demand from Brandenburg’s Interior Minister René Wilke to revoke asylum claims for those who go into hiding. The Bavarian Interior Ministry has stated that current legislation already allows for asylum procedures to be halted in cases of untraceability.
Further restrictions are anticipated with the implementation of the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) in June 2026. According to the new asylum procedure regulation, a request for international protection will be deemed implicitly withdrawn in cases of untraceability. Unlike current law, a possibility to resume the process will no longer be available.
