Sharp Decline in Immigration to Germany Continues into 2026

Germany has experienced a marked decrease in immigration through 2025 and early 2026, reflecting a significant shift in migration trends. According to the Federal Statistical Office, net immigration dropped to approximately 235,000 in 2025, representing a 43 percent decline compared to 430,000 in 2024. Total arrivals fell by 13 percent to 1.48 million, while departures slightly decreased by 2 percent to 1.25 million. This downward trend is largely attributed to the stark reduction in arrivals from key refugee-source countries: net immigration from Syria decreased by 67 percent, from Turkey and Afghanistan by 41 percent each, and from Ukraine by 21 percent.

Additionally, Germany saw a migration loss within the EU in 2025, with around 97,000 German citizens moving primarily to Switzerland, Austria, and Spain. Internal migration between German federal states also declined by about one percent, with Brandenburg gaining 9,000 residents, contrasting with Berlin’s loss of 12,000. Asylum applications have hit their lowest point since 2013, with only 5,556 applications recorded in May 2026—a 30 percent drop from the previous year and a 75 percent decrease from 2023.

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt hailed these figures as a success of governmental policy aimed at effectively managing migration and alleviating societal pressures. This ongoing development signals a considerable transformation in Germany’s migration landscape, impacting demographic patterns and policy planning.