Germany records lowest number of illegal border crossings in five years
German police registered 3,587 attempted illegal entries in August, the lowest monthly figure since 2021, amid border controls in place with all neighboring countries since autumn 2024.
Germany's Federal Police reported that 3,587 people attempted to enter the country illegally in August, marking the lowest monthly figure since 2021. The data, released in Potsdam, was cited by the newspaper Die Welt.
The August figure represents a decrease of about 14% compared to July and a 39% drop compared to August 2025. The previous lowest monthly count in recent years was recorded in January 2021, when 2,727 illegal entries were logged.
Eight-month total
Over the first eight months of this year, police recorded 32,606 illegal entries across Germany's land, air and sea borders combined. This is 10,276 fewer cases than during the same period last year.
Border controls set to continue
Since September 2024, Germany has maintained border checks with all of its neighboring countries — a measure normally not permitted within the Schengen area. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, after taking office in May 2025, ordered the checks to continue.
Despite criticism, including from the European Commission, the measure has already been extended three times, most recently until mid-September 2026. Reports indicate Germany is preparing to extend the border controls for another six months.
