EU Commission Warns Germany on Insufficient Preparedness for June Asylum Reform

Germany faces critical challenges in meeting the EU's new asylum reform requirements scheduled to take effect on June 12, 2026. According to a report by the European Commission, Germany has not yet established adequate capacities for asylum border procedures, especially at airports where initial screenings of asylum seekers take place. While 15 other EU member states have implemented such measures, Germany still lacks the necessary resources for health checks and the proper collection and storage of biometric data, including fingerprints, which is essential under the Eurodac system.

Specifically, although passport controls at Munich Airport now include health checks, these currently fall short of EU Commission standards. Additionally, there is an unresolved backlog in processing asylum applications, which poses a further obstacle to effective implementation. The reform aims to expedite asylum applications and discourage secondary migration by ensuring claims are processed at the first EU border reached.

Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner characterized the reform’s rollout as a long-term challenge, stating, "This is a marathon, not a sprint." Other frontline countries like Greece, Italy, and Bulgaria also confront similar capacity issues. In contrast, Hungary has refused to prepare for the reform or participate in the EU’s solidarity mechanisms designed to distribute asylum seekers and alleviate financial strain among member states, continuing its longstanding opposition to EU migration policies.

The Commission urges Germany to swiftly address these shortcomings within the few remaining weeks before the reform’s start date to avoid disruption. The German government’s ability to resolve technical and infrastructural gaps in time remains pivotal as the bloc moves toward a more coordinated and stringent asylum system.