German Asylum Processing Times Reach Longest Since 2017

The average wait for asylum decisions in Germany rose to 8.7 months in 2024, with delays attributed to backlog reduction efforts and increased legal challenges.

The average processing time for asylum applications in Germany increased to 8.7 months in 2024, the longest since 2017, compared to 6.8 months in 2023.
Delays are partly due to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) focusing on clearing older cases with extended waiting periods.
Certain nationalities, including applicants from Togo, Gambia, and Nigeria, faced the longest delays, with processing times exceeding 20 months on average.
The number of asylum-related lawsuits in Germany surged by 62% in 2024, reaching over 100,000 cases, as more applicants challenged BAMF decisions in court.
Efforts to reduce legal backlogs include specialized asylum chambers and AI-assisted tools, but many states still struggle to meet the six-month target set by leaders.