Germany's Challenges with Dublin Agreement Deportations

Germany's struggle to effectively implement the Dublin Agreement on migrant returns has become increasingly evident. In 2024, despite the country's numerous requests for other EU states to take back migrants, only a small number were actually returned. Italy and Greece have notably blocked these returns, while Bulgaria and Croatia have taken back only a fraction of the migrants. The Dublin Agreement mandates that asylum seekers should file their applications in the first EU country they enter. However, the practicality of enforcing this is proving difficult.

The Bamf figures reveal that from over 10,000 return requests to Italy, only three migrants were accepted back. Similarly, Greece rejected the majority of its return requests, with over 14,000 out of 15,453 being denied. The six-month deadline for processing these returns under the Dublin rules is frequently exceeded, often resulting in missed deportation opportunities.

CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann has called for a shift in migration policy, highlighting the current system's inefficiencies. He emphasizes the need to address illegal migration into Germany, given the evident failings of the current procedures.

These figures challenge the promises of Germany's Ampel coalition, which had previously committed to addressing migration issues more effectively. The ongoing difficulties suggest a need for reevaluation and potential reform of the existing agreements and strategies. As it stands, the gaps in the system are causing significant challenges for Germany in managing migrant returns effectively within the European framework.