Germany is set to tighten its migration policies with a new restriction on family reunification for refugees holding subsidiary protection status. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt plans to present a draft law on May 28, proposing a two-year suspension of family reunification for those who have not been granted full asylum rights.
In an interview with BILD, Dobrindt said, “Family reunification for individuals with subsidiary protection is being suspended. Until now, 1,000 people per month were allowed to move to Germany under the right of family reunification. That is now over.”
The minister emphasized this move as part of a wider shift in migration policy: “We must significantly reduce the factors that make Germany attractive for migration. With this, we are showing that migration policy in Germany has changed.”
Since 2018, close relatives such as spouses and minor children of those with subsidiary protection—refugees not fully recognized but who cannot be deported for humanitarian reasons—were permitted to join family members in Germany, with up to 1,000 individuals entering monthly.
Relatives of migrants with full asylum status will continue to be allowed entry under existing regulations, and exceptions are expected for particularly severe cases involving those with subsidiary protection.
The Interior Ministry estimates that suspending family reunification will save about €4 million annually in integration course costs.
As of 2023, around 326,000 people with subsidiary protection lived in Germany, increasing to 351,000 by 2024. The majority hail from Syria and Afghanistan. Last year, Germany granted 133,710 positive asylum decisions.
