Refugee arrivals in Germany's Thuringia continue to fall in early 2026

In the first half of 2026, Thuringia recorded 975 newly registered asylum seekers, down from 1,458 in the same period a year earlier. The total number of refugees admitted to the state in 2025 was 2,761, far below the 2015 peak of more than 32,000.

Afghanistan (341) and Syria (117) remain the main countries of origin, followed by Algeria (88), Turkey (86) and Russia (45). Nationwide, asylum applications have been decreasing, and since 16 September 2024 Germany reinstated border checks. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt ordered stricter controls and the return of asylum seekers, except for the sick, pregnant and others in need of special assistance. By 31 May 2026, Thuringian authorities had deported 233 people, including 62 children, to 24 destination countries such as Afghanistan, Russia, several African states, Poland, the Netherlands and Balkan nations.