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yesterday

Demand for Church Asylum in Germany Surges Beyond Capacity

Requests for church sanctuary have more than quadrupled in some areas, driven by intensified deportation pressures and growing fear among asylum seekers.

Zwei Flüchtlinge auf dem Gelände der evangelischen Stephansstift-Gemeinde in Hannover
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Overview

  • The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) reports a significant rise in church asylum requests, with 617 cases recorded in Q1 2025 compared to 604 in the same period last year.
  • Inquiries for church asylum have more than quadrupled in certain regions, reflecting heightened deportation enforcement and widespread insecurity among migrants.
  • Churches are struggling to meet the growing demand, leaving many asylum seekers without protection despite their eligibility for sanctuary.
  • Kirchenasyl, an informal humanitarian measure without legal backing, is used to shield individuals at risk of harm under deportation or Dublin transfers.
  • The increase in requests underscores tensions between Germany’s asylum policies and church-led humanitarian efforts, highlighting gaps in existing frameworks.