Just under a quarter of all positive decisions on asylum, subsidiary protection, refugee status or protection against deportation are currently being revoked. This is according to statistics from the Federal Office for the Recognition of Foreign Refugees (BAMF), which have been analysed by the Mediendienst Integration. In almost one in four cases examined by the BAMF (24.1 per cent), protection was revoked this year. In 2025, the rate stood at 7.3 per cent. Decisions have so far been made this year regarding around 23,800 people. In 310 cases, decisions were also withdrawn because applicants had provided false information during the asylum procedure.
Many Syrians affected
According to the Mediendienst, the high proportion of negative decisions is linked to the fact that, since the start of this year, the BAMF has been conducting reviews only on a ‘case-by-case’ basis. This means that cases are examined in detail only if there is an indication that circumstances in the country of origin may have changed so significantly that this could affect the protection status. Around a third of this year’s new revocation proceedings concern refugees from Syria. The Mediendienst states: “In the first half of 2026, around 5,600 review proceedings were initiated for Syrian nationals and approximately 8,300 review proceedings were concluded. In around 1,900 cases, the protection status of Syrian nationals was revoked or withdrawn.”
Risks associated with travelling to one’s country of origin
Incidentally, a refugee’s journey to their country of origin may also give rise to revocation proceedings. Anyone travelling to their former home country without obtaining prior authorisation must therefore expect to encounter problems with the German authorities. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Justice expressly points out that “the authorities are obliged to notify the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) if they become aware of a person entitled to protection travelling to their country of origin”, according to a paper by the Baden-Württemberg Refugee Council. Refugees who now hold a German passport are not affected.
In general, protected status is granted for an indefinite period – regardless of whether it concerns the right to asylum, refugee status, subsidiary protection or a ban on deportation. However, the residence permit is time-limited – initially for three years. After this period, the BAMF reviews whether the conditions are still met. However, following a change in the law in 2023, this is no longer done automatically, but only if the BAMF has received relevant information.
Legal advice recommended
If revocation proceedings are initiated, those affected are invited to submit their views. The Baden-Württemberg Refugee Council advises seeking legal advice in such cases. Legal action can be taken against a revocation. The impact of a revocation procedure on residence status depends on various factors in each individual case. However, there is grandfathering protection whilst the procedure is ongoing.
Further information:
https://fluechtlingsrat-bw.de/grundlagen/widerruf-und-ruecknahme-des-schutzstatus/
https://mediendienst-integration.de/fluechtlinge/fluechtlinge-in-deutschland/wie-viele-asylbescheide-werden-widerrufen/
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