Over 100,000 New Asylum Cases Filed in German Courts in 2024

The number of asylum claims filed in German administrative courts has seen a significant increase, with over 100,000 new cases recorded in 2024. This marks a sharp rise from approximately 72,000 cases in 2023 and around 62,000 in 2022, according to a survey conducted by the German Judges' Journal among relevant state ministries.

This increase follows the trends observed during the refugee crisis of 2015 and 2016, when asylum claims surged. After reaching a peak in those years, the number of cases decreased steadily until 2021. However, the upward trend has resumed as the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has expedited the processing of pending asylum applications from previous years.

In 2024, the total number of new principal proceedings reached 100,494, representing a 62% increase compared to the previous year. North Rhine-Westphalia reported the highest number of cases, with 19,267, followed by Bavaria with 15,278 and Baden-Württemberg with 12,755. Notably, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern experienced the most significant growth in two-year comparisons, with increases of 134% and 116%, respectively.

Despite a slight improvement in processing times, many regions still face delays that exceed the target set by the conference of state premiers, which aims for a maximum processing duration of six months. Rheinland-Pfalz reported the shortest average processing time at 5.4 months, while other states like Baden-Württemberg (7.9 months), Saxony-Anhalt (8.3 months), and Saarland (8.5 months) are nearing the desired timeframe. However, twelve states still report processing times ranging from 10.9 months to 24.5 months, with Hesse experiencing the longest delays.

Sven Rebehn, the Federal Managing Director of the German Judges' Association, noted that while administrative courts are beginning to reduce their processing times, the current surge in incoming cases could hinder further progress. He emphasized the necessity of concentrating proceedings in specialized asylum chambers and the urgent need for additional judges to expedite the processing of asylum claims.