Germany's Interior Ministry plans to stop offering independent asylum-procedure counseling to most asylum seekers and limit it to especially vulnerable people. According to a ministry briefing requested by The Left, the 2027 federal budget would provide 5 million euros for the service, down from 24.5 million euros this year; the ministry says the June 2026 EU asylum-system reform provides a right to free legal information that Germany will meet through counseling by BAMF, while critics including Clara Bünger of The Left say independent advice is still needed.
Why it matters: The change would reduce access to advice from groups independent of the authorities for many people seeking protection in Germany, while keeping a narrower service for vulnerable cases. Supporters argue state-provided counseling can satisfy legal requirements after the EU reform; critics argue independence matters in complex asylum proceedings and question how vulnerable applicants will be identified.
2026.09.30
100% relevant
This article appears to be the first concrete report of the Interior Ministry's plan to narrow eligibility for independent asylum counseling and reduce federal funding in next year's budget.
← Back to all stories