Germany takes first step in implementing EU asylum law reforms
In an effort to limit illegal immigration and expedite case processing, the preliminary steps to reform the European asylum law were approved in Germany.
After months of wrangling within the coalition government, the German cabinet finally approved two bills on Wednesday, September 3, to amend domestic law to adapt to Europe's new asylum system. The reforms are part of a broader agreement among EU member states reached in spring 2024 after lengthy negotiations and set to come into effect across the bloc in summer 2026.
The decision required changes to German national law, but disagreements between ministries delayed the approval process. The Interior Ministry, led by Alexander Dobrindt, argued that it should be possible to detain migrants who violate their residence obligations to prevent them from disappearing. The Justice Ministry, on the other hand, raised legal concerns, and the Labor Ministry stressed the need for asylum seekers to be given faster employment opportunities.
Under the new legislation, asylum seekers who have already registered in an EU country will be required to stay in designated centres. Their access to social services could also be reduced to a minimum in cases of violence or violations of the rules. Dubreinte described the changes as an important step, adding: “This is not the end of the road and many member states will follow stricter measures.” He mentioned, among other things, the idea of setting up return centres outside the EU for those who cannot be returned to their country of origin but who do not have the right to stay in Europe.
The new European asylum system is set to create uniform procedures at the EU's external borders. These changes will include identity checks for new arrivals, direct returns if they do not meet the conditions for asylum, and a fairer distribution of applicants between member states. However, human rights groups have warned of the consequences of these decisions, including that even minors could be detained at border procedures unless they are unaccompanied.
It is worth noting that many immigrants and refugees, especially from countries such as Iran and Afghanistan, have been forced to leave their homelands due to political pressures, ideological restrictions, or government conditions. This reality requires greater sensitivity in dealing with the new laws.
The previous German government had approved a similar plan in November 2024, but the plan was left unfinished just hours later when the ruling coalition collapsed. Now, with the government's latest decision, the path to implementing these reforms has been paved once again.
