Country Report: Detention of vulnerable applicants
Last updated: 30/07/26
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Children under the age of 14 cannot be detained. Therefore, families with young children are confined / apprehended (see above, Grounds for detention) for 72 hours prior to their forced return. In general, children over the age of 14 should not be detained and alternatives to detention should apply for minors over the age of 14.[1] In 2025, four unaccompanied minors were detained for an average time of 18.5 days (2024: 18.5).[2]
Unaccompanied or separated children who are awaiting or undergoing age assessment are not detained but accommodated at the UAM reception centres of the BBU.
[1] Article 77(1) FPG.
[2] Ministry of Interior, Answer to parliamentary request 4290/AB, 27 March 2026 available in German here.