Last year, Germany saw a significantly smaller number of asylum seekers compared to 2024, though the number of voluntary departures remained nearly the same. According to a response from the German government to a parliamentary inquiry from the 'Left' party faction in the Bundestag, a total of 30,406 individuals left Germany between January 1 and October 31, 2025, under a so-called 'border crossing certificate.' This document is issued by foreigner's authorities and returned by the federal police to the issuing body after departure. Throughout 2024, Germany recorded 33,419 such departures. The departures include not only rejected asylum seekers but also other individuals without valid residence permits. Most of those who left Germany last year under the border crossing certificate were from Turkey, Syria, Albania, and Russia. The number of asylum applications decreased by 51%. Last year, 113,236 people applied for asylum in Germany for the first time, compared to 229,751 in 2024. With financial backing from the federal government or the states, at least 16,545 people had left Germany by the end of November last year. The government noted in its response, citing data from the Central Register of Foreigners, that the actual number is likely higher, as departures are always registered with a delay.
