North Rhine-Westphalia revives asylum law to ease municipal burdens until 2030

A controversial asylum law returns, sparking debate over relief for cities and risks for refugees. Will extended stays solve the crisis—or deepen it?

, and Administrator

2025 November 5 . 9:01 PM

1 min read

In a hall there are a lot of chairs arranged in an order,in the left side there is a window and in... — In a hall there are a lot of chairs arranged in an order,in the left side there is a window and in front of the window,there is a curtain and in the background there is an orange wall and above the wall there are few lights to the roof.

Asylum Law: State Relieves Municipalities of Accommodation Burden - North Rhine-Westphalia revives asylum law to ease municipal burdens until 2030

North Rhine-Westphalia has reinstated a law to ease the burden on municipalities housing asylum seekers. The measure, set to last until 2030, includes exemptions for vulnerable groups and extends stay for those with poor prospects. The AfD's attempt to amend the law was unsuccessful.

Ministerin Ina-Marie Paul, responsible for refugee affairs, announced that the law aligns with federal asylum regulations and supports municipalities. It revives a previous regulation with clearer protections for vulnerable groups, such as refugees with minor children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, those with severe mental illnesses, and the elderly.

The law also extends the stay in state facilities for up to 24 months for asylum applicants whose claims are deemed clearly unfounded or already ruled inadmissible. This measure aims to relieve municipalities of accommodation burdens and provide support.

The SPD criticized the move as 'symbolic politics without sustainable relief', warning of potential psychological strain and integration issues. Despite this, the law is set to remain in effect until the end of 2030, providing a structured approach to housing asylum seekers in North Rhine-Westphalia.