Friedrich Merz Leads Conservative Push to Reshape Germany's Immigration Policy

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Key Takeaways

• Friedrich Merz’s proposed migration plan includes stricter border controls, reduced migrant benefits, and a “de facto entry ban” for undocumented individuals.
• Skilled Immigration Act reduces salary thresholds (€43,759.80 for shortage occupations) and eases rules for skilled professionals and their families.
• CDU/CSU policies face significant EU legal challenges and risk conflicts with Germany’s economic need for skilled workers to address labor shortages.

Germany’s immigration policies are set for a major transformation following the February 23, 2025, federal election, where the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc, led by Friedrich Merz, won 30.8% of the vote. As the likely next chancellor, Merz has proposed a stringent five-point migration plan that could significantly tighten both migration and asylum laws. These new measures are expected to redefine the country’s immigration approach, introducing stricter border controls and reducing benefits for migrants.

Merz’s migration plan represents a sharp policy shift. One of the most debated proposals is a “de facto entry ban” aimed at individuals without valid documents, including asylum seekers from conflict zones. This policy closely resembles Denmark’s restrictive migration framework under Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Denmark issued only 860 asylum approvals throughout 2024, a figure demonstrative of Merz’s desired direction. Advocates of these stricter measures argue they promote national security; however, critics have expressed concerns about conflicts with humanitarian obligations under EU and international law.

Friedrich Merz Leads Conservative Push to Reshape Germany’s Immigration Policy

The backdrop to this policy change is tense. Two high-profile incidents — a knife attack in Aschaffenburg by an Afghan scheduled for deportation and a car ramming attack in Munich — have intensified public calls for better migration controls. The CDU/CSU’s platform emphasizes preventing similar incidents by proposing permanent reinstatement of border checks and tighter limits on irregular arrivals. However, such measures directly conflict with the EU’s Schengen Agreement, which champions open borders. While temporary border controls have been activated during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, permanent checks across Germany’s 3,800-kilometer borders are not allowed under EU statutes.

More legal hurdles stand in the way. Current EU rules, like the Dublin III Regulation, require asylum seekers to file their claims in their first country of entry into the EU. Germany, therefore, is only expected to process applications under special circumstances — for example, if asylum applicants have close family already in Germany. Merz has indicated his willingness to challenge these regulations or invoke provisions like Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union for a national emergency declaration. Yet, such a move would face immense scrutiny, with officials required to prove the existence of a verifiable crisis. Many experts point out that Germany has already seen success in reducing irregular migration, complicating efforts to justify emergency measures.

The proposed reduction of migration-related benefits has also generated significant criticism. Merz and the CDU/CSU argue Germany’s generous welfare system acts as a “pull factor,” encouraging higher numbers of immigrants. To counterbalance this, his plan suggests slashing benefits for asylum seekers and increasing deportations. Critics, however, have pointed out that such measures could violate Germany’s obligations under EU and international law, including the UN Geneva Convention, which guarantees asylum to those fleeing persecution.

The political implications of these policies are just as significant. Unlike past CDU governments, Friedrich Merz has controversially shown willingness to rely on far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) votes to push his migration plan through parliament. Angela Merkel, the CDU leader before Merz, had taken a firm stance against cooperation with the AfD, warning that breaching this “firewall” could erode democratic values. Critics argue associating with the AfD tarnishes the CDU/CSU’s image and may alienate moderate voters.

In contrast to the CDU/CSU’s focus on restricting migration, other German political parties take a different stance. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), which received 15.7% of the national vote, favors positioning Germany as a “modern immigration society.” The Greens garnered 13.6% voter support, advocating for streamlined immigration policies, including simplified procedures for international students to secure residency in Germany once they graduate. These diverging views highlight the polarization within Germany’s political landscape concerning migration policies.

Simultaneously, Germany is confronting pressing demographic challenges that underscore the stakes of this immigration debate. The Institute of the German Economy (IW) predicts 19.5 million workers from the baby boomer generation will retire by 2036. By that time, only 12.5 million younger workers will be entering the labor force, leaving the country with a deficit of skilled professionals. This looming labor shortage threatens Germany’s economic strength, given its reliance on export industries and innovative manufacturing.

The recently implemented Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz, or FEG) is a key component of Germany’s efforts to counteract workforce gaps. Phased in starting November 2023, the act aims to attract professionals with practical expertise and vocational training. It reduces salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card, an immigration permit for skilled workers, and makes it easier for IT specialists without university degrees to qualify for entry. The act also includes supportive measures for families; for example, families of individuals with Blue Cards can reunite in Germany under simplified conditions.

As of 2025, salary thresholds under the Skilled Immigration Act include €43,759.80 for priority occupations facing labor shortages and €48,300 for positions outside this category. Policymakers hope these adjustments will refocus Germany’s immigration policies toward solving skill shortages. Advocates for the FEG believe that easing immigration pathways for qualified professionals is one of the most pragmatic ways to preserve Germany’s economic stability. However, questions remain on whether this policy alone will bridge the growing skills gap—especially under a CDU/CSU government restricting other migration avenues.

This dual narrative — tightening border and asylum policies while needing skilled workers — positions Germany in a delicate balancing act. VisaVerge.com reports that this interplay between security concerns and economic needs will shape not only Germany’s immigration policies but also the role it plays within the broader EU framework. CDU/CSU proposals are bound to generate debate at both the national and European level, particularly as the country’s actions influence collaboration across the bloc.

The legal and ethical ramifications of Merz’s proposed reforms cannot be overstated. For instance, the EU mandates that asylum seekers physically enter before their cases are judged, directly contravening parts of the entry ban Merz envisions. A failure to align reforms with European law risks Germany being taken to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Furthermore, limiting welfare benefits for migrants may face constitutional challenges domestically. These hurdles illustrate the complexities inherent in enforcing hardline policies without undermining Germany’s legal obligations.

Though Friedrich Merz’s leadership signals change, Germany’s policy trajectory remains steeped in negotiation. Public safety concerns driving CDU/CSU’s agenda clash with business sector demands for an open, skilled workforce market. Each proposed measure faces scrutiny both for practicality and compatibility with Germany’s vibrant democracy and role in the EU.

As debates unfold, there are questions Germany’s policymakers must address. How can a nation enforce stricter migration controls while ensuring adherence to its national and international commitments? How can it balance public demands for security with the economic necessity of an inclusive immigration system? These questions will dominate Germany’s political discourse in the coming years, defining the tension between the demographic challenges it faces and the policy changes on the horizon.

Germany now finds itself at a crossroads. Friedrich Merz and the CDU/CSU’s ascent to power introduces an assertive approach to migration, framed by concerns over safety and social programs. Meanwhile, demographic realities will push policymakers to reconsider how frameworks like the Skilled Immigration Act can attract candidates in urgently needed fields. The coming years will reveal whether Germany’s competing priorities — economic vitality and tightened migration controls — can coexist in sustainable harmony. For official updates on Germany’s new policies and the Skilled Immigration Act, the federal government’s immigration portal offers up-to-date resources German Federal Portal on Skilled Migration.

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Schengen Agreement → A European Union treaty allowing passport-free travel between member states while maintaining minimal internal border checks.
Dublin III Regulation → EU rule requiring asylum seekers to apply for refuge in the first European country they enter.
De facto entry ban → A policy preventing individuals without valid documents, including asylum seekers, from entering a country.
EU Blue Card → An immigration permit for highly skilled workers, facilitating entry, work, and residence in EU member states.
Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) → German legislation easing pathways for qualified professionals to work in Germany and fill labor shortages.

This Article in a Nutshell

Germany’s immigration policies face a pivotal shift under Friedrich Merz, blending tighter controls with workforce needs. Stricter asylum measures meet opposition for legal conflicts, while demographic pressures demand skilled migration. Can Germany balance security with economic stability? As debates intensify, its approach will redefine both national priorities and EU-wide collaboration.
— By VisaVerge.com