Over 70,600 unauthorised entry attempts stopped at Germany’s frontiers
German Federal Police recorded 70,600+ unauthorised entry attempts from 8 May 2025 to 15 August 2026, with most incidents at land borders.
More than 70,600 attempts to enter Germany without authorization were stopped at the country’s borders and airports between 8 May 2025 and 15 August 2026, German Federal Police figures show.
The tightened border controls introduced at the start of Chancellor Friedrich Merk's government — a measure that covered 464 days by mid‑August — coincided with the recorded increase in interceptions, officials say. Authorities registered the majority of incidents at ground crossings.
Where and who
Between the launch of the increased checks and 15 August 2026, police logged 57,973 unauthorised entries and attempts specifically at land borders. Airports and other points of entry also accounted for a significant but smaller share of the total 70,600-plus cases.
Nationality data show that 7,515 of those stopped were Ukrainian citizens. Citizens of Afghanistan made up 4,842 cases, while 4,834 were Turkish nationals. The statistics also indicate that some individuals did not attempt to enter Germany directly from third countries but travelled via other Schengen member states.
The new controls were put in place almost immediately after the new government took office, coupled with a stated tougher stance on irregular migration and the option to refuse entry to people who do not meet the conditions for admission.
Photo: press material from the event
