Over One Million Migrants Arrived in Germany in 2025
Germany recorded 1.48 million new arrivals in 2025, a 12.4 percent decline from the previous year, with net migration dropping 45 percent to approximately 235,000 people.
The Federal Statistical Office reported that immigration dropped by 210,000 compared to the previous year, representing a 12.4 percent decrease. This marks the second consecutive year of declining immigration numbers following the 2023 peak, as Junge Freiheit reports.
Ukrainians Lead Immigration Statistics
Ukrainian nationals comprised the largest group of new arrivals with 180,552 individuals, accounting for 12.1 percent of total immigration. Romanian citizens followed closely with 160,758 arrivals, representing 10.8 percent of the total. Turkish citizens ranked third with 74,345 new arrivals, making up five percent of immigration figures.
Non-European Union migration accounted for the majority of arrivals, with 971,639 people from non-EU states entering Germany, representing 65.2 percent of total immigration. This included 31,053 Syrian nationals, approximately two percent of total arrivals, and 19,872 Afghan nationals, constituting 1.3 percent.
Net Migration Drops Sharply
Approximately 1.25 million people departed Germany during the same period. Federal statisticians noted that net migration fell dramatically by 45 percent compared to 2024, when 430,000 more people entered than left the country. The 2025 net migration figure stands at roughly 235,000 persons.
The statistical office attributed the declining numbers primarily to reduced net migration from principal countries of origin for asylum seekers. Additionally, continuing decreased immigration from European Union member states contributed to the overall decline.
German Citizens Increasingly Emigrating
German citizen emigration increased notably, with approximately 97,000 nationals leaving the country, an increase of 16,000 compared to the previous year. Federal statistics show German citizens have recorded net emigration every year since 2005.
Switzerland remained the top destination for departing German nationals with 23,000 emigrants, followed by Austria with 14,000 and Spain with 10,000. The vast majority of German emigration targets other EU nations.
Domestic Migration Patterns Shift
Nearly one million German residents relocated to different federal states within the country. Brandenburg recorded the highest positive migration balance with a net gain of 9,000 residents. Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein each gained 8,000 residents through internal migration.
Conversely, Berlin lost 12,000 residents, representing the largest domestic population loss. Thuringia saw a net departure of 6,000 residents, while North Rhine-Westphalia lost 5,000 inhabitants to other German states.
With information from Junge Freiheit
