BAMF - Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge - Asylum procedure

Asylum-seekers are allocated to a specific initial aid facility. This "distribution" is based on several criteria and is established with the help of the EASY system.

Those wishing to apply for asylum should contact an initial reception facility where their personal data will be recorded. Applicants will receive a temporary residence permit.

Asylum applicants give an account of their persecution during a hearing. The hearing forms the basis for the decision as to whether asylum can be granted. A crucial factor is always the individual's personal story.

Asylum officers check asylum applications in the Federal Office. Only staff with a large amount of professional experience are allowed to undertake this highly responsible task.

Asylum-seekers are entitled to take legal action through the administrative courts if their application is rejected by the Federal Office.

Persons entering via safe third states are not recognised as being entitled to asylum. In the "airport procedure", asylum decisions are taken whilst the foreigner is in the airport complex.

The Dublin Procedure establishes which European State is responsible for examining an asylum application.

The Federal Office is legally obliged to monitor its positive decisions in revocation procedures.

Those entitled to asylum receive a residence permit for three years. No reasons with regard to revocation or withdrawal may apply for a subsequent unlimited residence permit to be issued.

Management is necessary in order to guarantee a uniform asylum procedure. This is to ensure that decision-making practice is uniform in all Branch Offices of the Federal Office.

The Quality Assurance department monitors the asylum procedure standards from the point at which an application is made, until a decision is issued on that application.

The Federal Office is consulted with regard to large number of decisions to be taken by the local immigration offices. Opinions are sought on the question of whether a foreign national may be deported to his/her homeland – i.e. whether there is a deportation ban affecting the country in question.

The Federal Office works on asylum procedures with the local immigration offices, the Federal Office of Administration, the Federal Police Force, federal and regional security authorities and the UNHCR.

Asylum-seekers receive what they need for their day-to-day life. This is regulated by the Asylum-Seekers' Benefit Act (AsylbLG).

Following the bitter experience during National Socialism, the fundamental right to asylum has been enshrined in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) of the Federal Republic since 1949. Amendments to the German law on asylum however became necessary when the number of asylum applicants drastically increased at the end of the 1980s.