Asylum appeal cases take longer in Germany after years of faster decisions

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  Asylum appeal cases in German courts took an average of 15.3 months in the first half of 2026, after years of becoming shorter.

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  The average was 14.3 months in 2025, although December data were not available for that figure.

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  The duration varied widely by state, from 20.4 months in Saxony to 9.2 months in Rhineland-Palatinate.

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  The government cited a rise in the number of appeals, while the complexity of cases involving some countries of origin also affects how long they take.

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  There were 196,315 pending asylum appeals nationwide on 15 August.

Who

People appealing decisions by Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf).

What

Asylum appeal cases in German courts are taking longer again, averaging 15.3 months in the first half of 2026.

When

First half of 2026.

Where

Germany.

Why

The government cited an increase in appeals; the complexity of cases involving some countries of origin also affects how long they take.

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