In 2020, 76,061 people who had newly arrived in Germany formally applied for asylum. This number represents a drop of 31.5% compared to 2019 (35,033 fewer formal applications). Most of those applying for asylum were nationals of Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq.

Federal Minister Horst Seehofer commented: "Humanity and order are the cornerstones of our successful migration policy. The number of asylum applicants dropped significantly again in 2020. At the same time, we helped many people in need and let them come to Germany. The decrease in asylum applications last year was not due to the COVID-19 pandemic alone, because the numbers have fallen for four years in a row. This shows that our measures to manage migration are working. We are on the right track."

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has adjusted its procedures in response to the pandemic, ensuring that the backlog of pending applications is steadily reduced and the quality of asylum decisions is thoroughly checked. The nationwide roll-out of advising on asylum procedures helps people seeking protection prepare for the asylum application process and informs them of their rights and duties.

BAMF is required by law to review asylum decisions after three years to determine whether the protection status granted still applies. More than 250,000 decisions made in 2016 were due to be reviewed in 2020, and BAMF was able to complete this review on time.

Detailed statistics on first-time applications for asylum submitted by foreigners newly arrived in Germany, with the main countries of origin:

First-time applications for asylum		2020
total		76.061
1.	Syria	25.373
2.	Afghanistan	8.051
3.	Iraq	7.355
4.	Turkey	5.196
5.	Undetermined	2.878
6.	Iran	2.567
7.	Georgia	1.883
8.	Nigeria	1.491
9.	Somalia	1.451
10.	Russian Federation	1.184

Additional asylum statistics for 2020

In 2020, 76,061 people newly arrived in Germany applied for asylum for the first time; 26,520 first-time asylum applications were submitted for children less than one year old who were born in Germany; and 19,589 follow-up applications were submitted, for a total of 122,170 applications.

In the month of December 2020 alone, 5,858 people newly arrived in Germany applied for asylum for the first time; 1,601 first-time asylum applications were submitted for German-born children less than one year old; and 4,108 follow-up applications were submitted, for a total of 11,567 applications.

Asylum decisions in 2020

In 2020, BAMF decided on 145,071 applications, which is 38,883 fewer (-21.1%) than in 2019.

A total of 37,818 persons (26.1%) were granted the legal status of refugees under the Convention of 28 July 1951 relating to the status of refugees (Geneva Convention). This included 1,693 persons (1.2%) qualifying for asylum under Article 16a of the Basic Law and 36,125 persons (24.9%) who were granted refugee protection under section 3 of the Asylum Act in conjunction with section 60 (1) of the Residence Act; 18,950 persons (13.1%) were granted subsidiary protection under section 4 of the Asylum Act. In addition, in 5,702 cases (3.4%) BAMF issued a ban on deportation pursuant to section 60 (5) or section 7 sentence 1 of the Residence Act.

A total of 46,586 applications (32.1%) were rejected, and 36,015 applications (32.4%) were otherwise resolved, for example by decisions in the Dublin procedure or because proceedings were discontinued after applications were withdrawn.

In the month of December 2020, BAMF decided on 9,996 applications, which is 1,896 fewer (-15.9%) than in December 2019.

A total of 2,701 persons (27%) were granted the legal status of refugees under the Geneva Convention on refugees. This included 112 persons (1.1%) qualifying for asylum under Article 16a of the Basic Law and 2,589 persons (25.9%) who were granted refugee protection under section 3 of the Asylum Act in conjunction with section 60 (1) of the Residence Act; 1,225 persons (12.3%) were granted subsidiary protection under section 4 of the Asylum Act. In 407 cases (4.1%) BAMF issued a ban on deportation pursuant to section 60 (5) or section 7 sentence 1 of the Residence Act.

A total of 2,810 applications (28.1%) were rejected, and 2,853 applications (28.5%) were otherwise resolved, for example by decisions in the Dublin procedure or because proceedings were discontinued after applications were withdrawn.

At the end of December 2020, the number of asylum applications still pending was 52,056; on 31 December 2019, this number was 57,012.

For more information, please visit www.bamf.de