Politics · Germany · 1 day ago
Germany has 148,000 people wanted under open arrest warrants
German authorities are seeking 148,000 people under open arrest warrants.
The figures came from a response by the Interior Ministry to a question from an AfD lawmaker.
Of those wanted, 16,671 have only German citizenship, while 87.3% have foreign citizenship and 1.5% have German citizenship alongside another nationality.
Romanians are the largest named foreign-nationality group, with 16,123 people wanted, followed by 12,721 Poles.
Politicians disagree on what the figures mean and what should be done, while police representatives say staffing shortages limit targeted searches.
The data do not show the reasons for the warrants, and a law professor says the total alone cannot measure the danger because the offences matter.
He says the warrants are generally unlikely to involve the most serious crimes, and some may relate to unpaid fines that lead to substitute prison sentences.
About 148,000 people are wanted in Germany under open arrest warrants, according to figures cited in a Bild report.
Only 16,671 of them have German citizenship alone, while 87.3% have foreign citizenship.
The figures came from a Federal Interior Ministry response to a question by AfD lawmaker Sebastian Münzenmaier.
Politicians disagree over the response, with some calling for tougher enforcement and others urging targeted searches or caution about broad conclusions.
A police union leader said police forces often lack the staff to search specifically for those wanted.
- Who
- About 148,000 people wanted in Germany under open arrest warrants.
- What
- The figures show the citizenship breakdown of those wanted.
- When
- The figures were reported on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Not stated
Calls for tougher enforcement
Calls for targeted searches and caution
Policy response
Calls for tougher enforcement
Sebastian Münzenmaier called for stricter border controls, an end to residence for foreign nationals who commit crimes, and prison sentences to be served in countries of origin. Alexander Throm said each open warrant is a security risk.
Calls for targeted searches and caution
Marcel Emmerich urged targeted searches for dangerous violent offenders, extremists and people considered a threat. Clara Bünger warned against general conclusions because nationwide data on the reasons for warrants are missing.
The figures speak a clear language: the overwhelming majority of offenders wanted under arrest warrants do not have a German passport.
Every open arrest warrant means a security risk.
random hits at border controls
random hits or bycatch
Border controls began, according to Alexander Throm.
More than 17,500 people with open arrest warrants have been apprehended, Throm said.
Bild reported figures showing about 148,000 people wanted in Germany under open arrest warrants.
- People wanted
- About 148,000
- German citizenship only
- 16,671
- Foreign citizenship
- 87.3%
- Dual citizenship including German
- 1.5%
- Romanian nationals wanted
- 16,123
- Polish nationals wanted
- 12,721
Sources
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