Germany's Federal Police recorded about 62,500 illegal entries at its borders in 2025, halving the figure from 2023. Since border controls were introduced in September 2024 and intensified in May 2025, thousands have been turned away. The measures aim to curb migration more effectively.
The number of illegal entries into Germany has dropped significantly over the past two years. According to the Federal Police, there were 62,526 such incidents at land, air, and sea borders in 2025, compared to 83,572 in 2024 and 127,549 in 2023. In some months of 2023, over 20,000 people were apprehended, whereas December 2025 saw just under 4,600.
Since mid-September 2024, border controls on entries have been in place at all German land borders, following partial implementations earlier. These temporary controls, not normally allowed in the Schengen Area, have been extended twice. The Schengen Area includes most EU states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Since their introduction, the Federal Police have recorded 67,918 illegal entries, with 46,426 people turned back at the border or in connection with illegal crossings. Another 2,513 were barred due to re-entry bans, and 1,945 smugglers were arrested.
In May 2025, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) intensified the controls, originally introduced under the previous Ampel government. Police now also reject asylum seekers, except for vulnerable groups such as the ill or pregnant. From May 8, 2025, the Federal Police counted 33,338 illegal entries, with 242 vulnerable individuals applying for asylum. Overall, 24,400 people were turned back from May to year-end, including about 1,200 from safe third countries. Illegal entries involve those without valid residence permits. The figures were announced in Potsdam.
