Germany: immigration

How many people apply for asylum in Germany?

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) recorded 55,366 new asylum cases from January to September 2026, 36.9% fewer than the 87,787 first applications in the same period of 2025, according to its current figures for September 2026. Of these, 51,982 were first applications. Afghanistan (13,780), Syria (7,035) and Turkey (5,226) were the main countries of nationality. In September alone, there were 5,276 new cases.

Since the 2026 reform of the EU asylum system, BAMF counts new cases as first applications plus transnational follow-up applications, which keeps totals comparable with earlier years. The figures are published monthly on the BAMF asylum statistics page.

Official sources: BAMF: current figures, September 2026 (PDF) · BAMF: asylum statistics

What share of asylum applications are approved in Germany?

BAMF granted some form of protection in 36.4% of the 157,901 asylum decisions it made from January to September 2026, according to its current figures for September 2026. That was 57,447 positive decisions, and the overall protection rate was 13.8 percentage points higher than the 22.6% of a year earlier. Rates varied by nationality: 76.5% for Afghans, 22.3% for Syrians and 11.8% for Turkish nationals.

The protection rate includes refugee status, asylum, subsidiary protection and bans on deportation. It counts decisions in the period, including cases closed for formal reasons, so it is not the share of applicants eventually allowed to stay. Court appeals can change outcomes later.

Official sources: BAMF: current figures, September 2026 (PDF)

How many people become German citizens each year?

332,500 foreign nationals acquired German citizenship in 2025, 14% or 40,500 more than in 2024, according to Destatis press release of 3 June 2026 (provisional results). It was the fifth rise in a row and the highest number since the statistics began in 2000. Syrians were the largest group (65,600, or 20%), followed by Turkish (34,100) and Russian (19,700) nationals.

Destatis also counted 467,400 applications for naturalisation and 371,100 completed procedures in 2025.

Official sources: Destatis: 332,500 naturalisations in 2025

How many refugees live in Germany?

About 3.2 million people were registered as protection seekers in Germany's Central Register of Foreigners at the end of 2025, about 3.9% of the population, according to Destatis press release of 12 May 2026. That was 2.1% or 68,000 fewer than a year earlier. Ukrainians were the largest group (1,164,000), followed by Syrians (669,000) and Afghans (321,000).

Protection seekers are foreign nationals who are in Germany on international law, humanitarian or political grounds, whether their case is pending, accepted or rejected. The total includes people from Ukraine with temporary protection, who do not go through the asylum procedure. The figures are counted on 31 December each year.

Official sources: Destatis: 3.2 million protection seekers at end of 2025

How many foreigners live in Germany?

14,070,225 foreign nationals were recorded in Germany's Central Register of Foreigners on 31 December 2025, almost unchanged from 14,061,640 a year earlier, according to Destatis migration and integration statistics. A broader group, people with an immigration history, numbered about 21.8 million in 2025, or 26.3% of the population in private households, according to microcensus first results.

The register counts people without German citizenship, including EU citizens, so naturalised immigrants are not included. People with an immigration history are those who moved to Germany since 1950, or both of whose parents did, whatever their citizenship. The two sources use different methods and are not directly comparable.

Official sources: Destatis: migration and integration · Destatis: 21.8 million people with an immigration history

What share of Germany's population are immigrants?

19.8%: that is the share of people born abroad in Germany for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 15.4% in 2015. It is 11th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.7%. World rank, highest first: 29th of 193.

What is net migration in Germany?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Germany was -334,072 in 2025. The peak was 1.18 million in 2015 and the low -489,056 in 2006. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 158, and Germany placed 52nd highest of 52. Worldwide: 189th of 193.

How many refugees are in Germany?

2.66 million: that is the number of refugees in the country in Germany for 2025, according to UNHCR. The peak was 2.75 million in 2024 and the low 187,545 in 2013. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 62,365, and Germany placed 1st highest of 50. Worldwide: 1st of 169.

How many refugees come from Germany?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Germany was 327 in 2025. The peak was 348 in 2024 and the low 59 in 2021. Europe & Central Asia median: 533; Germany is 27th highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 126th of 189.

How big are remittances in Germany's economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Germany at 0.5% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 0.5% of GDP in 2020 and the low 0.3% of GDP in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.4% of GDP, and Germany placed 35th highest of 47. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 96th highest.