Fact Check: Refugees in Germany can just get into the country easily while others have to go through a lenghty and expensive process

Fact Check: "Refugees in Germany can just get into the country easily while others have to go through a lengthy and expensive process"

What We Know

The process for refugees seeking asylum in Germany is complex and varies significantly based on individual circumstances. In 2024, Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) received approximately 229,751 first-time asylum applications, which represented a 30.2% decrease from the previous year (source-1). The primary countries of origin for these applicants included Syria, Afghanistan, and Türkiye, with the overall protection rate standing at 44.4% (source-1).

The average processing time for asylum applications was reported to be 8.7 months in 2024, an increase from 6.8 months in 2023 (source-1). However, the process can be significantly longer for rejected applications that require court proceedings, averaging around 16.7 months (source-1).

Additionally, Germany has implemented stricter border controls, resulting in increased rejections of individuals attempting to enter the country illegally. In 2024, about 55% of individuals trying to cross the border illegally were denied entry (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that "refugees in Germany can just get into the country easily" is misleading. While there are pathways for refugees to enter Germany, these are not without challenges. The asylum process is lengthy and can be expensive, particularly for those who face rejections and must appeal decisions in court. The average processing time of 8.7 months does not account for the additional time required for appeals, which can extend the overall duration significantly (source-1).

Moreover, the assertion that others face a "lengthy and expensive process" is somewhat accurate, as many migrants attempting to enter Germany illegally are met with strict border controls and high rejection rates. The increase in border rejections and the suspension of processing for certain nationalities, such as Syrians, further complicate the situation (source-2).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is strong, with data coming from official reports by BAMF and reputable organizations like UNHCR and the European Union Agency for Asylum. These sources provide a comprehensive overview of the asylum landscape in Germany and are generally considered credible.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. While it is accurate that there are pathways for refugees to enter Germany, the process is not as simple or straightforward as implied. Refugees face a complex and often lengthy asylum process, with significant challenges such as increased border controls and high rejection rates for illegal crossings. Therefore, the notion that refugees can "just get into the country easily" does not reflect the realities of the asylum system in Germany.

Sources

1. Overview of the main changes since the previous report ...
2. Germany: a significant drop in the number of asylum ...
3. Regular procedure
4. Latest Asylum Trends - EUAA - European Union
5. Asylum seeking process - UNHCR Germany
6. Migration Report of the Federal Government 2023
7. Germany, and Maybe the European Union, Are at a Mi..
8. BMI - The Asylum Process in Germany