Stricter rules for asylum seekers in Germany soon? Cabinet passes law
On Wednesday (04.06.2025 ), the Federal Cabinet approved a draft law by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). It stipulates that the government can classify certain countries as safe by decree. The approval of the Bundesrat is then no longer necessary.
The countries that could soon be considered safe countries of origin include Algeria, India, Morocco and Tunisia. The governing parties CDU/CSU and SPD had already agreed in the coalition agreement to expand the list of safe countries of origin.
Why the government wants the asylum law
However, critics, including the opposition and refugee organizations, warn that they see this as a weakening of the federal system if the Federal Council is not allowed to have a say.
Green-governed countries in particular have repeatedly spoken out against the classification of certain countries as safe in the past and blocked corresponding projects.
What the change means for asylum seekers in Germany
The classification as a safe country of origin has direct consequences for refugees. Asylum applications from these countries are generally considered "manifestly unfounded". This means that
- Shortened asylum procedures
- Faster rejections
- Fewer legal options for refugees
People from these countries therefore have less chance of being granted asylum in Germany.
When will the new asylum law come into force?
Important: The law is not yet valid! Before the reform can come into force, both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat must approve the draft law. It is not yet possible to predict when this will happen. It is to be expected that the debate on this will be controversial in the coming weeks.
This is not the first measure that the new federal government is currently seeking to tighten migration and asylum laws. At the end of May, the Federal Cabinet decided to abolish so-called Naturalization and to suspend family reunification for people entitled to subsidiary protection for two years.
