For the past four years, Turkey has been among the “top three countries of origin” for asylum applications in Germany, according to the Mediendienst Integration. In 2025 as well, Turkish nationals, with 14,686 asylum applications, were the third-largest group after people from Afghanistan (64,104) and Syria (24,240). So far in 2026, the numbers are also high: 11 percent of the applications come from people from Turkey. Kurds make up a large proportion of those seeking protection: last year it was 65 percent, and the year before that as high as 73 percent. However, the protection rate for refugees with Turkish citizenship was relatively low at 10 percent, according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Highlight of 2023 so far
The halving of the number of asylum seekers last year was also reflected in the number of Turkish applicants: in 2024, there were 31,000 applications from Turkish citizens—more than twice as many. According to the UNHCR, Turkey is one of the countries that hosts the most refugees worldwide. The fact that men and women from there are simultaneously seeking protection abroad is linked to the domestic political situation there. Following the failed coup attempt in 2016, various political and religious groups in Turkey were persecuted. Since 2022, refugee numbers have been rising sharply. According to the BAMF, they peaked in 2023: At that time, there were more than 60,000 asylum applications from Turkish nationals, more than 50,000 of which were from Kurds.
Many come for family reasons
However, most Turkish nationals still come to Germany to live with their families here or to start a family of their own. According to the microcensus, this accounts for 66 percent of all migrants from Turkey. Around 55,000 people from Turkey received a visa for Germany in 2025—45 percent to join their families, 19 percent to pursue higher education, and 31 percent to work.
Turkey is a NATO member and, at least on paper, an official candidate for accession with the EU. Accession negotiations with the EU began in 2005. In 2016, however, the European Parliament voted to freeze the negotiations due to setbacks in democracy and the rule of law. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has, however, held out the prospect of a new attempt at EU accession for the country by the end of 2025.
tun26042104