Beginning May 6, individuals attempting to enter Germany without legal authorization are expected to be turned back at the border. These measures will include formal rejections of entry.
Speaking to newspapers of the Funke Media Group, Frei emphasized that “the German border must be the final barrier” for those trying to gain entry without a legal basis. He stressed that asylum applications should not be submitted in a country of personal preference but must be filed in the first EU country a refugee enters — which is rarely Germany, he noted.
Border Controls to Be Significantly Expanded
According to Frei, the new federal government plans to intensify controls along Germany’s external borders from day one. Rejections at the border are to become an integral part of this tightened approach. Initial coordination with neighboring countries — France, Poland, and Austria — has already taken place. Frei added that the new asylum policy direction has been met with broad approval by these governments.
Coalition Agreement Includes New Rules on Deportation
The coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU, and SPD includes provisions allowing the rejection of asylum seekers — a significant change from current regulations, which only permit rejections of individuals lacking a valid visa or residence permit. The policy also emphasizes close coordination with European partners.
Legal Uncertainty Remains
However, questions remain over whether these measures comply with European law. Under EU regulations, each member state is required to review asylum applications and determine which country is responsible. Critics have warned that the planned reforms may fall into a legal grey area.
Drop in Asylum Applications and Irregular Migration
Meanwhile, both Germany and the European Union have recorded declines in irregular migration. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that illegal border crossings across the EU had decreased by approximately 30 percent compared to 2024. In Germany, asylum application numbers have also dropped significantly, falling below 10,000 in March for the first time in recent years.
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