In Germany, politically persecuted persons are entitled to recognition as persons entitled to asylum (Basic Law Art. 16). Anyone wishing to exercise this right must undergo a recognition procedure. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is responsible for carrying out the procedure. The procedure of an asylum procedure is regulated in the Asylum Procedure Act (AsylVfG).

If an asylum seeker reports to the border authority, it forwards him or her to the nearest initial reception centre, which is the responsibility of the country concerned. However, this does not apply if he meets the conditions for refusing entry, for example because he is entering from a safe third country. If a foreigner only identifies himself as an asylum seeker in Germany, he will also first be referred to the nearest initial reception centre. In Saxony-Anhalt, the central contact point is located in Halberstadt.

Asylum seekers then apply for asylum in one of the branch offices of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, which are located in the immediate vicinity of an initial reception centre. A data comparison with the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR) is carried out and a residence permit is granted, which grants a temporary right to stay in the Federal Republic of Germany for the purpose of carrying out the asylum procedure.

Subsequently, the legally required, non-public hearing of the asylum seeker (§ 25 AsylVfG) takes place by an individual decision-maker of the Federal Office. For this purpose, he must appear in person, explain his reasons for persecution and present existing documents. After that, a decision on the asylum application is made. In principle, the individual fate of the individual is decisive.

The decision on the application for asylum shall be taken in writing and shall state the reasons on which it is based. It is served on the asylum seeker with information on the right of appeal.

Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).