Recent data reveals a significant decrease in asylum applications in Germany, marking a considerable shift in migration patterns. Figures released for the first half of 2025 show 61,300 initial asylum requests were filed – nearly half the number recorded in the same period of 2024 (121,426). This decline effectively removes Germany from its position as the leading recipient of asylum seekers in Europe.
The most recent month of June witnessed an even more dramatic reduction, with fewer than 7,000 new applications submitted. This represents a drop of approximately 60 percent compared to June 2024 and an even steeper decline of 70 percent when compared to June 2023. This level of figures hasn’t been seen since March 2013, with parallel figures only previously observed during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Spring 2020.
The observed trend follows a policy shift implemented by the current government, which included stricter border controls and the return of individuals registering for asylum at the border. While this strategy has been credited by some officials, such as Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, as demonstrably successful in reshaping migration trends, the implementation of these measures has faced legal challenges and sparked tensions with neighboring countries following court rulings declaring certain actions unlawful.
