Germany plans to tighten border controls, toughen its migration policy

Germany's future Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced plans to tighten border controls and toughen the country’s migration policy.

He made the statement in an interview with Bild am Sonntag.

“The first decisions will be made after I take office. Border controls will be strengthened, and the number of entry refusals will increase. It is necessary to reduce the figures for illegal migration,” he said in response to a relevant question.

At the same time, the politician assured that there will be no complete closure of the borders.

Thorsten Frei, the next head of the Chancellery, said earlier that the stricter rules would apply from 6 May — although it remains to be seen whether there will be pushback from Brussels due to potential conflicts with European law.

"No one can apply for asylum in the country of their choice," Frei said. "According to European law, this must happen where someone enters the European Union for the first time. That is almost never Germany."

While Germany is technically allowed to reject individuals at its borders who lack valid documentation, there are legal limits in place, particularly regarding asylum seekers.

Under EU asylum law, the 1951 Refugee Convention and the German Asylum Act, Germany is generally required to let individuals who claim asylum at its borders into the country to process their claim.

Germany significantly tightened controls in September 2024, when it implemented temporary checks at all nine of its land borders in an effort to curb irregular migration.

By Khagan Isayev