German administrative courts are experiencing a sharp increase in their caseload concerning asylum matters. In just two years, the number of appeals filed against negative decisions on applications for international protection has doubled. Data from the Federal Statistical Office indicates that approximately 256,000 such cases were registered in 2025, compared to 128,000 in 2023. This unprecedented increase of 100 percent reflects the growing number of rejected applications and the determination of migrants to challenge negative rulings in court. Experts point to lengthening procedures and the complex legal situation of many cases, particularly those concerning citizens of Afghanistan, Syria, and Maghreb countries.

Unprecedented increase in appeals

The number of court cases concerning rejected asylum applications rose from 128,000 in 2023 to approximately 256,000 in 2025, meaning a doubling in just two years. This 100 percent increase represents a historic record burden for the German judiciary.

Main nationalities of appellants

Most lawsuits come from citizens of countries that submit the most asylum applications. The top groups include citizens of Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey, and Maghreb countries such as Tunisia and Morocco. The high appeal rate in these groups indicates the complexity of assessing the situation in their countries of origin.

Crisis in the judiciary

Administrative courts, especially at the state level, are struggling with overload and lengthening case processing times. Experts warn that without additional resources and procedural reforms, the system may lose its ability to adjudicate thousands of pending cases in a timely and fair manner.

Political and social reaction

Opposition parties, including the CDU/CSU, point to this data as proof of the ineffectiveness of the governing coalition's (SPD, Greens, FDP) migration policy. The public debate emphasizes the need for faster procedures and more effective deportations, while non-governmental organizations appeal for ensuring full access to justice.

The German asylum system is facing a serious judicial challenge. Data published by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals that the number of appeals filed with administrative courts against rejected asylum decisions has doubled in just two years. In 2025, approximately 256,000 new cases of this type were registered, while in 2023 there were 128,000. This sharp increase, described by the media as unprecedented, is directly linked to the growing number of applications for international protection and the high rate of negative decisions issued by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).Since 2015, following the so-called migration crisis, Germany has accepted hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers, causing a long-term burden for the administration and judiciary. The system, which previously handled tens of thousands of cases per year, has been put under extreme pressure, leading to multi-year delays in procedures.

Analysis of the data indicates that the main nationalities challenging the decisions are citizens of Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey, and Maghreb countries such as Tunisia and Morocco. The high appeal rate in these cases stems from the complex and often rapidly changing political and security situation in their countries of origin. Administrative courts at the state level must examine each case in detail, which, with such a volume of cases, leads to significant delays and overload. 256 000 — new asylum cases in courts in 2025

Legal experts and political commentators point to several coexisting causes of this phenomenon. First, following the pandemic and with new waves of migration, BAMF issued a record number of decisions, including many negative ones. Second, legal awareness among migrants and access to free legal aid facilitate the challenging of unfavorable rulings. Third, some cases are particularly legally complex, for example, concerning the assessment of individual persecution, which requires time. The political reaction is divided. Representatives of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) criticize the governing coalition for its lack of effectiveness and call for accelerated procedures and deportations. „„Diese Zahlen sind ein vernichtendes Urteil für die Asylpolitik dieser Bundesregierung. Sie zeigen, dass das gesamte System aus dem Ruder läuft.”” — CDU politician, intra-party expert on domestic policy, criticizing the government's migration policy. On the other hand, aid organizations emphasize that the right to a court is fundamental, and the increase in the number of appeals simply demonstrates the use of this procedural guarantee. The situation presents the German judiciary with an urgent challenge of modernization and increased capacity to guarantee the rule of law without paralyzing the entire system.

Mentioned People

  • Alexander Throm — CDU politician, intra-party expert on domestic policy, criticizing the government's migration policy.