German government plans new law on deportations
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated at a press conference in Berlin that his ministry is currently drafting a new law. The aim is to enable a higher number of deportations on a permanent basis. According to the minister, the new law is intended to reduce obstacles that have previously delayed or prevented deportations.
The reason for this is that the number of deportations has not increased further recently. According to the federal government, approximately 4,800 people were deported in the first four months of 2026. That was 1,344 fewer than in the same period the previous year.
Dobrindt emphasized that the federal government intends to carry out deportations more effectively in the future. In particular, criminals will continue to be deported, including to Syria and Afghanistan.
In the future, however, the focus will not be limited to individuals with criminal records. Dobrindt also announced that single men with no criminal record could be deported more frequently in the future.
Dobrindt gives a positive assessment of migration policy to date
One year after the current federal government—comprising the CDU/CSU and the SPD—took office, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has given a positive assessment of migration policy to date. According to the Interior Ministry, irregular migration has fallen by about 70 percent compared to 2023.
Dobrindt explained that this decline was not attributable to any single measure. Rather, it was the result of several measures taken simultaneously. According to the federal government, these include, among other things, approximately 34,000 refusals of entry at Germany’s borders, the arrest of about 1,400 suspected human traffickers, and the execution of around 8,000 arrest warrants.
Review: Since the new federal government took office in May 2025, additional changes to migration policy have also been enacted. For example, family reunification for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection was suspended for two years. In addition, the Naturalization was abolished again after three years.
Dobrindt also referred to the EU asylum reform, the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which is set to take effect on June 12, 2026. The reform aims to standardize asylum procedures, strengthen controls at the EU’s external borders, and reduce secondary migration within Europe. Dobrindt hopes that, in the long term, the new European regulations will also make it possible to scale back German border controls again.
What is known about the new law?
The federal government has not yet released any specific details about the proposed law. According to statements made so far, the law is primarily intended to streamline procedures and remove obstacles to deportations.
Possible measures could include, for example, streamlining administrative processes, improving data sharing between government agencies, or expanding the powers of immigration authorities and the police. New regulations governing cooperation with countries of origin could also be included in the legislation. However, no official draft bill has been released yet.
In its coalition agreement , the federal government had already announced its intention to increase the number of deportations. This includes deportations to Afghanistan and Syria, initially focusing primarily on criminals and individuals posing a threat, but in the long term also on people without the right to reside in the country.
Deportations and Repatriations: What Does the Law Say?
The current rule in Germany is as follows: Deportation is only possible if a person is subject to an enforceable order to leave the country and there are no legal or factual obstacles to deportation. For example, a person is subject to an enforceable order to leave the country if their asylum application has been definitively rejected and there is no other Residence permit exists.
However, deportation cannot be carried out automatically and immediately. The authorities must always determine whether there are any legal obstacles to deportation. For example, no one may be deported to a country where they would face torture, inhumane treatment, or a concrete threat to their life.
In addition, there are what are known as practical obstacles to deportation. These include, for example, a lack of travel documents, flight connections, or a country of origin’s refusal to take a person back. Health reasons can also make deportation temporarily impossible or necessitate its postponement.
If deportation is temporarily not possible, those affected are often granted a Tolerance permit. However, the Tolerance permit not Residence permit and does not mean that the person has a permanent right to stay. It merely certifies that deportation is currently suspended.
What does this mean for asylum seekers?
For people whose asylum applications have been denied and who Residence permit not Residence permit any other Residence permit , the new law could mean that deportations are prepared and carried out more quickly. Those most affected would be individuals who are required to leave the country and for whom there are no legal or practical obstacles to deportation.
It is still unclear exactly what changes will be implemented. No official draft bill has been released yet. Before the new rules can take effect, the bill must be debated and passed by the Bundestag. The Bundesrat must also give its approval.
One thing is already clear: The federal government intends to maintain its strict stance on immigration policy and place much greater emphasis on deportations.
