On 12 June 2026, the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) came into force. It brings uniform rules across Europe, but also stricter regulations for asylum seekers in Germany.
The new system is intended to standardize asylum procedures in all states of the European Union. They can take place even before entry at the external borders of the EU. In Germany, these are airports or seaports. Fundamental and human rights are to be respected. The data of persons seeking protection are recorded in a standardized manner and entered into the European data system EURODAC. During the so-called screening, fingerprints are taken and identity, health status, as well as potential security risks are determined. It is also checked whether another EU state is responsible. The review lasts only a few days and is not part of the asylum procedure. It is not carried out by the Federal Office for Migration, according to the authority.
Border Procedures and Return Centers for Asylum Seekers
For persons who come from countries with a “protection rate” of 20 percent or less, there is a so-called border procedure. This also applies to persons seeking protection who do not cooperate or conceal their identity. The procedure may last a maximum of twelve weeks. The persons seeking protection are legally treated as if they had not yet entered the EU – although this is physically the case. Those affected would have only limited access to legal remedies against negative asylum decisions, writes Mediendienst Integration. Restricted freedom of movement and detention are possible. Migrants without recognition of asylum status could now also be sent to third countries outside the EU (so-called Return Hubs), from where the final returns are then to take place. On this matter, there is a current agreement between the European Parliament and the EU member states. A prerequisite for this, however, is agreements with suitable third countries, which do not yet exist. Only unaccompanied minors are exempt from this regulation.
Goal: Limiting Migration
The Federal Government expects the CEAS reform to provide better management and limitation of migration in the EU. As a result, procedures could be completed more quickly. In addition, the Bundestag has decided that the federal states can establish so-called secondary migration centers. Applicants who have already received international protection in another member state or who entered via another EU state (so-called Dublin cases) are to be housed there centrally. From there, after completion of the procedure, they can be deported directly to the responsible member states.
Faster Employment Opportunity for Asylum Applicants
However, the Bundestag has also decided that asylum applicants with a prospect of remaining may in future work after three months of residence instead of six months. This does not apply to persons seeking protection from so-called safe countries of origin, such as Turkey, Dublin cases, and people who conceal their identity.
Criticism from Human Rights Organizations
Refugee and human rights organizations have sharply criticized the new asylum regulations and warn of fundamental violations of human rights. They fear that refugees will have fewer rights and could effectively be detained. According to the criticism, this could also affect families with children. For them, the obligation to stay in the new centers now applies for a maximum of six months, and for children in absolutely exceptional cases and under strict conditions.
The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament adopted the CEAS reform package in spring 2024 after several years of negotiations. The EU member states had to implement the eleven legislative packages by 12 June 2026.
Sources and further information:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/migration-geas-2382758
https://www.bmi.bund.de/DE/themen/migration/gemeinsame-europaeische-asylsystem/gemeinsame-europaeische-asylsystem-node.html
https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/21/018/2101848.pdf
https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/AsylFluechtlingsschutz/EuropaeischerKontext/GEAS/geas-node.html
https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/bundestag-geas-asyl-100.html
The New Common European Asylum System (CEAS) | Mediendienst Integration
https://www.amnesty.de/pressemitteilung/deutschland-amnesty-pro-asyl-geas-umsetzungsgesetz
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