Tightening of asylum laws: Germany is planning drastic changes!

Tightening of asylum laws: Germany is planning drastic changes!

Today, September 3, 2025, there is an important vote on the agenda of the Federal Cabinet. It is about the draft bill for the implementation of the stricter EU asylum law regulations, also known as the CEAS Adaptation Act. Loud Amnesty International This draft could have serious consequences for those seeking protection in Germany.

At its core, the draft envisages a number of measures that could have far-reaching effects on asylum seekers. These include, among other things, comprehensive border procedures, stricter detention regulations and the establishment of so-called “centers for secondary migration”. The federal government plans to have many of these measures tested in pilot projects before the EU tightening measures are applied in June 2026. This approach has met with sharp criticism.

Criticism of the new regulations

Sophie Scheytt, asylum policy expert at Amnesty International, expresses concern about the impending developments in this country. She warns of the dangerous blurring of the boundaries between freedom of movement and detention. In fact, Amnesty reports that the reforms could potentially result in almost all those seeking protection in Germany being imprisoned. This would not only have a significant impact on human rights, but would also fundamentally change the status of asylum procedures.

Another critical point are the new regulations on asylum detention. These stipulate that people can be detained during their asylum procedure in order to clarify their identity or in the event of a risk of absconding. According to the Bavarian Refugee Council, such measures are not only excessive, but also a massive restriction on basic human rights. The aim of the draft law is interpreted by many organizations as a step away from humanitarian standards and democratic principles.

Technical innovations in the draft law

As far as the technical details are concerned, the Interior Ministry's draft law includes stricter regulations that affect not only asylum seekers, but also families and children. In concrete terms, this means that children can be taken into custody - although this is not legally required. In addition, asylum seekers with a protection rate of less than 20% should go through their procedure in special border procedures that take place in closed facilities.

• Asylverfahrenshaft: Einführung von Haft für Asylsuchende während des Verfahrens.
• Geschlossene Aufnahmezentren: Einschränkung der Bewegungsfreiheit von Geflüchteten.
• Grenzverfahren: Spezielle Verfahren für Asylsuchende mit geringer Schutzquote.
• Sichere Herkunftsstaaten: Ausweitung der Liste sicherer Herkunfts- und Drittstaaten.

The criticism of these regulations is unmistakable. The GEAS project is actually intended to create a common and fair asylum system within the EU, but the reality could be different. The Bavarian Refugee Council and other organizations urgently warn against the erosion of individual asylum rights.

European context

Today's developments must be seen in the broader context of European asylum policy, which aims to ensure international protection for third-country nationals. The regulations are based on the Geneva Convention and the fundamental rights set out in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. In principle, this aims to harmonize legislation within the EU, but in the past this has often led to tensions and differences between member states, such as the European Parliament clarifies.

Overall, it is clear that a lot will change in the coming weeks and months. It remains to be seen whether the protection of asylum seekers can continue to be guaranteed or whether the new regulations represent a step backwards. What is clear, however, is that there are not only legal issues at stake here, but also social and humanitarian issues that need urgent attention.