In Germany, politically persecuted persons are entitled to recognition as persons entitled to asylum. 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 course of an asylum procedure is regulated in the Asylum Procedure Act.

If an asylum seeker registers with the border authority, it will refer him or her to the nearest initial reception centre, the establishment and maintenance of which is the responsibility of the respective country. However, this does not apply if he meets the conditions for refusal of 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 or she will also first be referred to the nearest initial reception centre. In Saxony-Anhalt, the central point of contact is located in Halberstadt.

Asylum seekers then submit their asylum application to one of the branch offices of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, each of which is located in the immediate vicinity of an initial reception centre. The data is compared with the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR) and a residence permit is issued, which grants a temporary right of residence for the purpose of carrying out the asylum procedure in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Subsequently, the legally required, non-public hearing of the asylum seeker is carried out 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 will be made on the asylum application. In principle, the individual fate is decisive.

The decision on the asylum application shall be made in writing and shall include a statement of reasons. It is served on the asylum seeker with instructions on how to appeal.

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