Overview of the legal framework

Germany

Country Report: Overview of the legal framework Last updated: 19/06/26

Author

Lena Riemer, Lea Rau and Ronith Schalast

Main legislative acts relevant to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention and content of protection

Title in English Original Title (DE) Abbreviation Web Link
Asylum Act Asylgesetz AsylG Available here (DE)

Available here (EN)

Residence Act Aufenthaltsgesetz AufenthG Available here (DE)

Available here (EN)

Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act Asylbewerberleistungs-gesetz AsylbLG Available here (DE)
Basic Law (German Constitution) Grundgesetz GG Available here (DE)

Available here (EN)

Act on Procedures in Family Matters and in Matters of Voluntary Jurisdiction Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit FamFG

 

Available here (DE)
Code of Administrative Court Procedure Verwaltungsgerichtsordnung VwGO Available here (DE)

Available here (EN)

Act on Improving Deportation Procedures Gesetz zur Verbesserung der Rückführung (Rückführungverbesserungsgesetz) Available here (DE)
Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts StARModG Available here (DE)
Act Amending the Sixth Book of the Social Code and Other Acts Gesetz zur Anpassung des Sechsten Buches Sozialgesetzbuch und anderer Gesetze SGB VI-AnpG Available here (DE)
Act on Determining Safe Countries of Origin by Statutory Order Gesetz zur Bestimmung sicherer Herkunftsstaaten durch Rechtsverordnung Available here (DE)
CEAS Adaptation Act GEAS Anpassungsgesetz Available here (DE), as of March 2026, Law passed, not yet promulgated

 

Main implementing decrees and administrative guidelines and regulations relevant to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention and content of protection

Title in English

Original Title (DE) Abbreviation Web Link
Regulation on Residence Aufenthaltsverordnung AufenthV http://bit.ly/1eVh0mp (DE)
Regulation on Employment Beschäftigungsverordnung BeschV https://tinyurl.com/2y7zdf6y (DE)

 

Table of contents

  • Statistics
  • Overview of the legal framework
  • Overview of the main changes since the previous report update
  • Asylum Procedure
  • Reception Conditions
  • Detention of Asylum Seekers
  • Content of International Protection
  • ANNEX I – Transposition of the CEAS in national legislation