On July 18, 2025, Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt convened a high-profile meeting at the summit of Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, bringing together his counterparts from France, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Denmark, alongside EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner. Their agenda was clear: to forge a tougher, more unified approach to asylum and migration policies across the European Union.
In a joint declaration issued after the meeting, the ministers laid out ambitious plans aiming to tighten the bloc’s asylum rules. Central to their strategy is the reinstatement of deportations to countries such as Afghanistan and Syria as standard practice, a move that signals a sharp shift in the EU’s migration stance. The communique also calls for the establishment of “return hubs” — facilities outside the EU designed to hold rejected asylum seekers — and the enabling of asylum procedures in third countries, all intended to streamline and control migration flows more effectively. However, these measures require approval from Brussels before they can be implemented.
Germany’s renewed assertiveness on migration comes amid rising social tensions and political polarization fueled by what many leaders describe as the overburdening of European countries by illegal migration. Minister Dobrindt emphasized this concern, stating, “We are all concerned that the overburdening of our countries by illegal migration is also contributing massively to the polarization of society. We want to push back this polarization.” His words underscore the urgency driving the coalition’s push for stricter regulations.
Just hours before the Zugspitze gathering, Germany demonstrated its commitment to this tougher stance by deporting 81 Afghan men back to their Taliban-controlled homeland. This action marked a continuation of Germany’s policy shift, which had seen deportations halted after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 but resumed last year under the previous government led by Olaf Scholz. Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended the expulsions, saying he was “grateful” to deliver on promises made upon entering office in May 2025. He stressed, “None of those deported had a residence status any more. All asylum applications were legally rejected without further legal recourse.”
The deportees included individuals convicted of serious crimes. Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann reported that 15 had served time for offenses such as murder, manslaughter, sexual offenses, and property crimes. Similarly, Baden-Wuerttemberg authorities noted that 13 deported Afghans had been jailed for crimes including homicide, bodily harm, drug offenses, and serious arson.
Despite these measures, human rights organizations and international bodies have voiced strong opposition. Amnesty International condemned the deportations, describing the situation in Afghanistan as “catastrophic” and warning that “extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and torture are commonplace.” The United Nations echoed these concerns, calling for an “immediate halt to the forcible return of all Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers,” citing the grave risks faced by those sent back.
The ministers’ joint declaration also outlines additional strategies to bolster migration control. These include leveraging trade and development aid to encourage cooperation from countries of origin, increasing the deployment of drones for border surveillance, and boosting EU funding for border infrastructure and personnel. The coalition also agreed on intensifying efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks and combat smugglers who exploit vulnerable migrants.
To prevent so-called “asylum shopping” within the EU, the ministers agreed that asylum seekers who have already been granted protection in one member state will be swiftly rejected if they attempt to claim asylum in another. This measure aims to reduce administrative burdens and discourage repeated applications across borders.
Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak highlighted the importance of securing the EU’s external borders to ease internal tensions, stating, “Once we seal the external border, there will be no need for internal border controls.” He also noted that Poland is prepared to lift its border controls once Germany follows suit, reflecting a desire for coordinated action within the bloc.
The timing of this meeting is particularly notable. It comes almost exactly a decade after former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s landmark decision to open the country’s borders to nearly a million refugees fleeing war and persecution — a move that reshaped European politics and migration policy. The current shift towards stricter controls marks a significant departure from that era, reflecting changing political landscapes and public sentiments across Europe.
Germany’s new government has already implemented several migration curbs, including suspending family reunification and resettlement programs. These steps are widely seen as efforts to regain voter support, particularly from those drawn to the far-right Alternative for Germany party, which made historic gains in the federal elections earlier this year.
While the ministers’ communique sets out lofty ambitions, some observers note a lack of concrete details on implementation. As Al Jazeera’s Dominic Kane reported from Berlin, “When we analyse what has been agreed here, it’s lofty ambitions, but not much detail about how they intend to pursue what’s in these five pages.” The ministers acknowledged that many of their proposals require Brussels’ approval and cannot be enacted unilaterally.
Nevertheless, the meeting signals a clear shift in the EU’s migration policy direction, with Germany positioning itself as a leading force in shaping a more restrictive and coordinated approach. Minister Dobrindt underscored this new role, declaring, “We wanted to send a signal that Germany is no longer sitting in the brakeman’s cab on migration issues in Europe, but is in the locomotive.”
As Europe grapples with the challenges of managing migration flows, balancing humanitarian concerns with political realities, and addressing internal divisions, the outcomes of this summit and the ensuing policy changes will have far-reaching implications for the continent’s future.