Berlin’s new, tougher migration policies appear to be making a tangible difference in the city’s ability to manage refugee arrivals and integration, according to Governing Mayor Kai Wegner. After years of mounting pressure on local resources, Wegner says the city is finally seeing “significant relief” in the number of people seeking refuge.
“The number of refugees coming to Berlin has clearly slowed down,” Wegner told reporters. “Our institutions and communities have reached their limits, so this slowdown is a positive development.”
Alongside fewer new arrivals, the city has seen an increase in deportations and voluntary departures, with twice as many people leaving Berlin as arriving at the moment. This shift has eased some of the strain on refugee accommodations — Berlin currently has about 6,000 free beds available for those seeking shelter.
The mayor stressed that while the situation is improving, the city remains vigilant. “We’re closely monitoring the trends, especially when planning new accommodation facilities.”
Wegner also emphasized the importance of continued federal support and cooperation between Germany’s states. “We’re encouraging the federal government to keep this migration turnaround going. It’s crucial to relieve the pressure on cities and states while ensuring integration efforts remain strong for those who stay.”
A European Dimension
Looking beyond Germany’s borders, Wegner called for a unified EU approach to migration. “It’s been my long-standing wish that Europe speaks with one voice on asylum policy,” he said. “Better protection of EU external borders is essential so that internal border controls within Germany become unnecessary.”
Official data from the Federal Police confirm the trend. In the first six months of 2025, authorities registered just over 3,000 unauthorized border crossings — a sharp drop from more than 5,600 cases during the same period last year. Most of these incidents were detected and stopped at the German-Polish border.
The Federal Police maintain border control across Berlin and Brandenburg, covering airports, train stations, and land crossings.
Changing Refugee Numbers
Berlin’s refugee intake has steadily declined since the peak years. In 2023, the city took in nearly 32,000 refugees, including many fleeing the war in Ukraine. That number fell to just over 21,000 in 2024 and continues to trend downward in 2025.
Despite these positive trends, the financial burden on Berlin remains high. Costs for housing, care, and integration services for refugees have almost doubled in recent years, reaching over €2.2 billion. However, the city has not declared a financial emergency, choosing instead to manage within its existing budget—partly because fewer refugees are arriving now. tagesspiegel.de
