Germany updates: Merz govt to reject more asylum-seekers

Berlin, July 7, 2025 — The newly formed government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced a significant tightening of Germany’s asylum policy, vowing to reject a larger number of asylum applications in an effort to curb what it describes as "unsustainable levels of irregular migration."

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Chancellor Merz said his administration is “committed to restoring control over Germany’s borders and preserving social stability.” The announcement comes amid rising public concern over migration and growing pressure from conservative factions within the Bundestag and across Europe.

“Germany cannot bear this burden alone. We are taking decisive steps to reduce irregular entries and accelerate deportations of those without legal grounds to stay,” Merz stated.

Merz: Migration measures won't negatively impact neighbors

Merz visited France and Poland on his first full day in office.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany would ensure its tougher migration policies would be "carried out in a way that will not cause problems for our neighbors."

The new chancellor made the remark at a joint news conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Tusk warned Merz against unilateral migration policies such as national border controls or deportations, which could leave migrants stranded on Polish territory.

Merz stressed irregular migration should be tackled Europe-wide.

"If we, everybody together in the European Union, give the signal to those who are setting out for Europe without valid opportunities for entry, if we give this signal especially to the traffickers, that these routes are going to get a lot more difficult and that we are going to close them, then that is a joint and good signal," Merz said.

Tusk hails 'new opening' in German-Polish relations, issues migration warning

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk hailed a "new opening" in German-Polish relations as he welcomed Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Warsaw on Wednesday evening, saying the boost was "perhaps the most important in the history of German-Polish relations in more than 10 years."

However, Tusk warned the new chancellor against unilateral migration policies such as national border controls or deportations, which could leave migrants stranded on Polish territory.

"There can be no impression that anyone, including Germany, would like to send any groups of migrants to Poland," he told a news conference. "Poland will not accept this."

Germany announced recently that it would reject undocumented migrants, including asylum-seekers, at the country's borders (see entry below), but Tusk said the problem should be dealt with at the European Union's outer border and called for German support.

"We must help each other to protect EU territory against illegal migration," he said. "I will expect the new German government to cooperate fully with us on securing the EU's external borders."

Internally, he said it was in the interests of both Poland and Germany to maintain the EU's free-movement Schengen Zone, adding that it would be "the worst thing if all EU countries started introducing controls on their borders."

Germany to turn asylum-seekers away at its border

Germany will turn some asylum-seekers away at its borders, new Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said.

He added that exceptions would be made for "vulnerable groups," including pregnant women and children.

Freshly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued during the election campaign that, since Germany is surrounded by European Union member states and Switzerland, any potential asylum applicants should present their case before they reach Germany.

He said that according to EU agreements asylum-seekers must apply for protection in the first EU country they enter.

Like most EU countries, Germany is part of the visa-free Schengen area where internal borders are open for EU citizens and many non-EU nationals to travel freely without passport checks.

But the new German government plans to deploy more police on the country's borders as part of its migration policy. (See earlier post)

"We are not going to close the borders, but we are going to control the borders more strictly and this stronger control of the borders will also lead to a higher number of rejections," the interior minister said. 

"We will gradually increase this higher number of rejections and the stronger controls at the borders," he added. "We will ensure that, step by step, more police forces are deployed at the borders and can also carry out these push-backs," Dobrindt added. 

Key Policy Changes

Under the updated policy:

• Border checks with neighboring countries, particularly Austria and the Czech Republic, will be intensified.
• Asylum applications from so-called "safe countries of origin" will face expedited rejection and faster repatriation processes.
• Support for voluntary return programs will be expanded, while benefits for failed asylum-seekers will be reduced.
• A revised list of safe countries is expected to include more North African and Balkan states.

The government also plans to invest more in digital surveillance systems and increase the number of personnel at Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) to speed up case processing.

Domestic and International Reactions

The policy shift has sparked debate across Germany. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Germany, warned that stricter rules may lead to humanitarian failures and violate international protection standards.

“We fear these measures will compromise the rights of vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution and conflict,” said a spokesperson for Pro Asyl.

However, supporters argue that Germany must act to reduce pressure on housing, education, and welfare systems. Recent polls show a significant portion of the public favors stronger migration controls, especially in light of rising living costs and concerns over integration.

European Implications

Merz’s move aligns with a broader trend across the EU, where several member states have adopted more restrictive asylum measures in recent years. The announcement also adds momentum to EU-level discussions on reforming the bloc’s migration pact, which remains mired in political disagreements.

Chancellor Merz is expected to raise the issue at the upcoming EU Council summit, where Germany will push for tighter external border controls and a shared repatriation framework.

Background: Friedrich Merz, leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), became Chancellor earlier this year following a coalition agreement with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the right-leaning Alternative for Germany (AfD). The coalition’s platform has emphasized border security, economic reform, and reducing Germany’s global asylum footprint.