The asylum application process exceeds the eight-month mark.
Initially, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) managed to finalize asylum proceedings under six months on average in 2022. However, there's been a considerable surge in processing times by 2024. Yet, the bureau exhibits the ability to expedite certain aspects significantly.
As per the data obtained by a Left Party MP Clara Bünger, an asylum application evaluation now takes approximately 8.2 months in the current year 2024, denoting a slower pace in Germany compared to the 2023 average of 6.8 months. The information released by the Federal Ministry of the Interior is accessible via the Editorial Network Germany (RND). The provided data applies up until August's end.
Procedures resulting in a dismissal of an asylum claim as "completely unjustified" concluded slightly swifter, at 6.2 months. Swifter deadlines were recorded in Dublin procedures, where it is assessed if an EU country is accountable for the asylum proceedings, considering they initially entered in that country seeking protection. These procedures surpass routine asylum procedures in speed. They averaged 2.9 months from January's onset up until August's end, in contrast to the 3-month average in 2023.
Procedures masterminded for accelerated processing of asylum applications from countries with a recognition rate lower than 5% were surprisingly quicker. These expedited processes have been implemented for asylum seekers from Georgia, Moldova, and the Western Balkans since December 2023, as well as for those from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia since March 2024.
The Federal Office aims to finalize these expedited proceedings in under three weeks. This goal was achieved in 72% of cases for asylum seekers from Georgia, Moldova, and the Western Balkans, while 58% of cases were completed for those from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
"Expeditious asylum cases are beneficial for asylum seekers, as they predominantly receive a protection status," stated Clara Bünger to RND. "However, this should not compromise quality and fairness," she emphasized. "I have serious concerns about refugees from countries with lower recognition rates receiving inadequate consideration due to political pressure. There should not be rushed decisions without appropriate consultation opportunities," she cautioned.
Despite the overall increase in asylum processing times, the right of asylum seekers from certain countries with low recognition rates benefits from expedited proceedings. These individuals often have their cases finalized within three weeks, ensuring a faster protection status.
However, Clara Bünger raises concerns about the potential compromise of quality and fairness in these expedited processes, emphasizing the importance of thorough considerations and adequate consultation opportunities to prevent rushed decisions.
