Resettlement and federal humanitarian admission programmes - suspended
NesT ended 2025 · Official name: Resettlement (§ 23 Abs. 4 AufenthG), Neustart im Team (NesT), Bundesaufnahmeprogramm Afghanistan and Humanitäres Aufnahmeprogramm Türkei
Germany is not currently admitting refugees through resettlement or federal humanitarian admission programmes. BAMF states that the German resettlement programme is suspended (page dated 30 Apr 2026), and Germany is not taking part in the first EU resettlement plan for 2026-2027. The community sponsorship programme NesT (Neustart im Team) ended at the end of 2025 after 186 arrivals. The federal government says, in line with the 2025 coalition agreement, that the Afghanistan admission procedures are being wound down and no new admission commitments are being made. There is no application route; people cannot apply for resettlement themselves.
Life in Germany
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
81
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
14–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 19%
Basic allowance EUR 12,348; 42% from EUR 69,879 and 45% above EUR 277,825 (single); solidarity surcharge of 5.5% of the tax for high earners and optional church tax.
Living
1
Happiness
#16 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
Previously: especially vulnerable refugees referred by UNHCR (resettlement), refugees matched with volunteer mentor groups (NesT), and at-risk Afghans (federal admission programme). Currently closed to new cases.
Eligibility
Resettlement suspended
Germany's resettlement programme is currently suspended, and the humanitarian admission programme from Turkey has been suspended since May 2025.
- BAMF page dated 30 Apr 2026 states the suspension
- BAMF short analysis (01/2026) dates the suspension to May 2025
Official wording
BAMF: "Derzeit ist das deutsche Resettlement-Programm ausgesetzt" (the German resettlement programme is currently suspended; page dated 30 Apr 2026). A BAMF short analysis (01/2026) dates the suspension of resettlement and the humanitarian admission programme from Turkey to May 2025.
No German participation in the EU resettlement plan
Germany is currently not taking part in the first EU resettlement and humanitarian admission plan.
From 11 Jan 2026, for 2 years10,430 people
EU plan admissions (2026/2027) · intended by member states
- Council Implementing Decision 2025/2628
- Participation is voluntary for member states
- BAMF states Germany is currently not participating
Official wording
The first EU Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Plan (Council Implementing Decision 2025/2628) entered into force on 11 Jan 2026 for 2 years, with member states intending to admit up to 10,430 people in 2026/2027. Participation is voluntary; BAMF states that Germany is currently not participating.
NesT ended
The Neustart im Team (NesT) mentor programme has ended, so it is no longer available.
NesT results, 2019 to end of 2025
- People arrived
- 186
- Mentor groups
- 43
- Minimum group sizevolunteer mentors
- 4 people
- Mentor groups provided housing (cold rent) and practical support
- BAMF says the programme has ended
Official wording
Neustart im Team ran from 2019 until the end of 2025. Volunteer mentor groups of at least four people provided housing (cold rent) and practical support. In total 186 people arrived through it, supported by 43 mentor groups. BAMF says the programme has ended.
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Official sources
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Asylum & protection in other countries
- DenmarkAsylum in Denmark
- EcuadorRefugee or stateless status
- EstoniaInternational protection (refugee status, subsidiary protection) and temporary protection for Ukrainians
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- FranceAsylum in France
