Government data shows nearly one-fifth of those being rejected at Germany’s newly strengthened borders are Ukrainians. Despite their status as refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion, Ukrainians—who are supposed to enjoy protection and temporary residence across the European Union—comprise 19.1 percent of those denied entry since August 2023, trailing only Syrians at 19.8 percent.
Since October 2023, Germany has reinstated checks at its borders with Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland, adding to existing controls at the Austrian border. By last September, the remaining borders were similarly locked down—undermining the borderless Schengen Area that covers most of the EU, and the Free Movement migration regime which forms a core “pillar” of the bloc.
Around 45,000 people were turned away in 2024 alone, compared to 35,618 the previous year, even as illegal arrivals reportedly dropped. Reports suggest that the reason Ukrainians are so prevalent among those turned away appears to be related to “asylum shopping”—that is, the Ukrainians in question have already been granted asylum in another EU country, but they are seeking to relocate to Germany to exploit its more generous welfare system. The German interior ministry confirmed to Euractiv on Tuesday that such unauthorized moves are a key reason for the rejections.
The Christian Democrats, formerly led by Angela Merkel and expected to win Germany’s upcoming federal elections, have pledged to slash government handouts, arguing they discourage people from working and attract opportunistic migrants.
The figures on the German border situation emerge as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance arrives in the country for the Munich Security Conference, where immigration is likely to be discussed alongside terrorism, the Ukraine war, and other national security issues.
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