Germany, long one of the main destinations for refugees and asylum seekers in Europe, has now been formally recognized by Brussels as a country under exceptional migration pressure. According to a new report by EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner, Germany may be temporarily exempted from taking in additional migrants from other EU states until the end of 2026 — a major shift in European asylum policy.
The assessment forms part of the EU’s new Solidarity Mechanism, introduced under the reformed Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The mechanism is designed to redistribute responsibility among member states so that those under the heaviest strain can receive support from others, either through the relocation of asylum seekers or financial and logistical contributions.
Germany can request relief under EU solidarity rules
According to internal findings cited by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa), Germany can invoke the clause on “overburdened status” due to the large number of asylum seekers already under its care — including many who, under the Dublin Regulation, would normally fall under the responsibility of other EU countries.
This classification means that Berlin would not be required to accept additional refugees from redistribution pools and would also be exempt from contributing financially or materially to the solidarity fund during the relief period.
In contrast, countries with particularly high arrival numbers, such as Greece, Cyprus, Spain, and Italy, will remain eligible for direct assistance. Greece and Cyprus have faced a disproportionate number of new arrivals by sea, while Spain and Italy continue to manage constant rescue operations in the Mediterranean.
Which countries are under pressure — and which may get relief
Alongside Germany, the EU report lists Belgium, France, and the Netherlands as states potentially facing high migration pressure due to recent arrival trends and overstretched asylum infrastructures. Other countries such as Austria, Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Croatia are described as being in an “acute migration situation.”
Under the new system, such countries may apply for partial or full relief from solidarity obligations — effectively reducing or suspending their responsibility to host or fund refugee relocations.
Commission praises Germany’s past contribution
Commissioner Brunner emphasized that Germany has already carried a disproportionate share of Europe’s migration burden, even before the new asylum pact formally enters into force. He noted that the reforms will bring tangible benefits for Germany by redistributing responsibilities and strengthening control at the EU’s external borders.
Among the key changes are mandatory registration of new arrivals, enhanced security screenings, and a new border-procedure system, under which certain migrants may be processed and held in tightly controlled facilities immediately after crossing into the EU.
Brunner pointed out that the stricter framework is already producing results: “Illegal migration has fallen by 35 percent over the past year,” he said, crediting improved coordination among EU states and tougher external border management.
A milestone in Europe’s asylum reform
The report marks a critical milestone in the implementation of the European Asylum Reform (GEAS), which aims to balance solidarity with responsibility. The Commission’s analysis draws on a range of indicators — including illegal border crossings, maritime rescues, asylum application volumes, and each country’s population and economic capacity.
Under GEAS, heavily burdened countries are entitled to solidarity measures from others, which can take the form of:
- Relocation of asylum seekers,
- Financial contributions to the EU asylum fund, or
- Operational support, such as equipment or border-management projects in third countries.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that refugees remain in the country of first arrival, easing pressure on nations like Germany that have become secondary destinations. Southern states such as Greece and Italy will be responsible for faster processing at the EU’s external borders, while northern states will contribute through financial or logistical means.
The new EU report now provides the analytical foundation for this system. Member states will review the Commission’s findings — including detailed, non-public statistics — and decide how the solidarity pool will function in practice over the coming years.
Looking ahead
If Germany’s exemption is approved, it would mark a significant political signal: after years of carrying the lion’s share of Europe’s refugee intake, the country would gain breathing space to focus on integration, housing, and administrative capacity — while other EU members shoulder more of the common burden.
