Germany Expands Dublin Deportation Centers to Speed Up Asylum Transfers

Germany has opened its second Dublin deportation center in Eisenhüttenstadt, near the Polish border, as part of efforts to speed up asylum seeker transfers under the EU Dublin Regulation. The facility, operational from March 13, 2025, can house 250 people and primarily handles deportations to Poland.

The first center in Hamburg has already helped streamline administrative processes, and a third has been set up in Bremen, with more potentially on the way.

Challenges to the Dublin System

Germany faces difficulties enforcing Dublin deportations. In 2024, of nearly 75,000 transfer requests, 44,000 were approved, but only 5,740 were successfully carried out. Many asylum seekers either return illegally after deportation or remain in Germany due to bureaucratic delays and legal challenges in receiving countries like Italy and Greece.

The number of asylum applications in Germany has fallen since 2023

Stricter Measures & Political Debate

The new centers limit welfare rights for Dublin asylum seekers, providing only basic in-kind support for two weeks. Some NGOs criticize the centers for worsening conditions, while officials argue they improve efficiency.

Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU/CSU), advocates for tighter border controls and a migration policy favoring skilled workers over asylum-driven immigration. More Dublin centers could follow as Germany seeks stricter enforcement of deportation policies.