Illegal immigration to Germany reaches 6-year high

More people entered Germany illegally in 2022 than in the six previous years, information obtained on Tuesday by dpa showed.

However the information noted that illegal immigration was lower from 2020-21 due to the coronavirus.

There was also an increase in the number of people smugglers identified from 2,132 in 2021 to 2,553 last year.

Last year, the Federal Police, which is responsible for border protection, registered 91,986 people entering Germany without permission. In the previous year, that number was 57,637.

In 2022, a significant increase was observed in the second half of the year. While in January 4,436 people were detected entering the country without permission, that number tripled in October, when more than 13,000 unauthorized entries were reported.

In December there were about 8,600 illegal entries.

The federal government is currently voting on reforming a law that regulates the tasks and powers of the Federal Police.