Since May, federal police in Bavaria have been carrying out tighter border checks. According to the Federal Police Directorate in Munich, 151 asylum seekers have been denied entry since the new measures came into effect, most of them along the border with Austria.
The policy follows an order by Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), who announced in early May that asylum applicants who had already filed requests in another EU country could be turned back at the Bavarian frontier.
Where rejections are taking place
Between May and the end of August, police data shows that 145 asylum seekers were stopped at the Austrian border and six at the Bavarian-Czech border.
Officials emphasize that these measures are based on EU regulations designed to prevent multiple applications across member states.
Illegal entry attempts and police action
The Bundespolizei has registered nearly 4,300 illegal entry attempts into Bavaria during this period, with about three-quarters occurring along the Austrian frontier.
Roughly 2,700 people were prevented from entering Germany, either returned directly or refused admission.
Smugglers and wanted individuals caught
In addition to asylum-related rejections, border officers also uncovered serious criminal activity.
Since May, 279 suspected smugglers have been apprehended, alongside 915 people who were wanted under active arrest warrants.
These arrests underline the wider security role of federal police during border operations.
Ongoing debate over border measures
The increased checks remain politically sensitive. Supporters argue they are necessary to manage migration flows and uphold EU law, while critics warn of humanitarian consequences and question whether the measures are legally sustainable.
For now, Bavaria’s borders remain under close watch, with federal police continuing to monitor and report on developments.
