Only four asylum seekers sent back to Italy and Greece since July
Since the GEAS reform began, Germany has transferred just four asylum seekers to Italy and Greece, far fewer than the hundreds for which the countries are responsible.
Germany introduced the GEAS asylum framework in June 2026 hoping to streamline returns to the initial EU entry states. However, a response from the Federal Ministry of the Interior to a query by AfD lawmaker Sebastian Münzenmaier shows that only four asylum seekers have been sent back—two to Greece and two to Italy—since the system started. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has recorded hundreds of instances where the two countries are legally liable for the migrants.
Both Italy, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Greece have maintained a blockade against such transfers, accusing Germany of insufficient action against NGOs that bring migrants to Italian shores. Overall, from July to September only 782 deportations to any third country were carried out, leaving the promised “migration turnaround” unrealised.
Why it matters
The low number of returns highlights ongoing EU tensions over migrant responsibility and questions the effectiveness of Germany's new asylum system.
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