According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, in 2016, around 1.7 million foreign nationals arrived in Germany (2 million in 2015). Approximately 1.1 million foreign nationals left Germany in 2016, resulting in positive net migration of around 635 300; a strong decrease compared to 2015, when net migration was around 1.2 million.
More than half of newly arrived migrants in 2016 were third-country nationals (922 600). The number fell considerably compared to 2015, when inflows totalled 1.2 million. Around 796 500 EU foreign nationals came to Germany in 2016, a 6% decrease compared to 2015, whereas outflows of EU foreign nationals in 2016 were slightly higher than in the previous year (584 500 and 518 500, respectively).
About 23% of the population living in Germany in 2016 had a ‘migration background’, i.e. they themselves or at least one of their parents were not born with German citizenship. This constitutes an increase of 4 percentage points compared to 2011. Among children aged 5 or younger, this share increases to 38%.
In 2016, most newly arrived immigrants were nationals from Romania (222 400), followed by Syria (179 400), Poland (160 700) and Bulgaria (83 000). These nationalities constitute around 40% of all new immigrants in 2016. Once departures from Germany are taken into account, net migration figures yield a different pattern. Syrians had the highest net migration in 2016 (145 800), followed by Romanian (60 100), Afghan (56 100) and Iraqi nationals (47 700).
According to data from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, labour migration from third countries to Germany increased by more than 30% to 51 000. Of these, around 65% were highly skilled. The increase is partly due to a temporary policy implemented in October 2015 for nationals from the Western Balkans, allowing them under certain conditions to work in Germany regardless of the qualification level of their job offer. Family migration of non-EU nationals also increased by 28% to a total of 105 600 new family migrants arriving in 2016.
In the winter semester of 2016/17, 150 000 EU and non-EU students started studying at German universities. International student enrolment reached around 265 000 total, up 15 000 from a year earlier. The main countries of origin among enrolled foreign-born students remained China (13%), India (6%) and Russia (4%).
In 2017, close to 200 000 first-time asylum applications were lodged, a decrease of more than 70% compared to 2016 (722 000). Most of the applications were from Syrian nationals (25%), followed by Iraqis (11%) and Afghans (8%). Close to 40% of applicants were female (34% in 2016) or under 16 years old.
The increase of asylum applications in 2016 was accompanied by a large number of appeals. Around 25% of decisions and 40% of rejected cases were appealed before an administrative court in 2016. Even among Syrian nationals who received subsidiary protection status, 37% appealed. The number of pending cases in administrative courts rose from 60 000 in 2015 to 285 000 by the second quarter of 2017.
In 2017, 605 000 asylum cases were heard, which is below the 695 000 figure for 2016. Around 39% of the applications were rejected compared with 25% in 2016, while 18% were declared as not admissible. The remaining 43% received some form of protection: refugee status (21%), subsidiary protection (16%) or a status that prohibits deportation (7%).
After the introduction of the Integration Act (Integrationsgesetz) and new asylum legislation in 2016, the following year was marked by a consolidation phase focused on implementation of, for instance, programmes for vocational language learning.
Most policy developments in 2017 were focused on re-integration and return. As of February 2017, asylum seekers from certain origin countries may receive EUR 800-1 200 in financial assistance in addition to regular return assistance when they agree to return during their asylum procedure or once their request has been denied. Such additional cash assistance is also available for recognised refugees who decide to return. In addition, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees offers a hotline with information on voluntary return and re-integration programmes.
A legislative package that entered into force in 2017 makes it mandatory for asylum seekers without documentation to provide their mobile phones to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees who may use the metadata for determining their identity and nationality. It also enables regional governments to pass legislation which may then require asylum seekers to live in reception centres for up to two years and facilitates the detention of individuals which pose a severe threat before they are returned. The law also clarifies that youth welfare offices are required to apply for asylum on behalf of unaccompanied minors without undue delay.
Furthermore, in 2017 Germany transposed the Intra-Corporate Transferees Directive, the Seasonal Workers Directive and the Students and Researchers Directive.
