Changes in Germany’s immigration policies and their impact on Ukrainian migrants and refugees
Germany has experienced a significant decline in new asylum applications, reflecting policy shifts and external factors such as the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In October 2025, there were 8,823 initial asylum claims, nearly halving compared to October 2024, when over 19,000 applications were submitted.
German officials, including Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, state that the country has taken steps to reduce its attractiveness for illegal migration, such as tightening deportation procedures and limiting application opportunities.
Meanwhile, the number of Ukrainian nationals seeking asylum in Germany remains high, especially among young men aged up to 22 years.
This is a consequence of recent Ukrainian legislation that allows young men in this age group to leave the country without restrictions during the war, leading to a sharp increase in registrations of Ukrainian men in Germany.
Other trends include a decline in applications from September to October and the reintroduction of deportation measures for individuals whose asylum requests were denied.
Ukrainian authorities are now considering enhancing border controls and implementing additional measures to prevent illegal migration, especially in the context of new flows of young Ukrainians seeking opportunities abroad.