Abstract:
This paper reports the procedures of asylum and patterns of settlement of asylum seekers in Germany, with special focus on the asylum seekers of the Syrian conflict. Initially prepared for a workshop comparing policy responses and settlement outcomes of the Syrian conflict in several countries, this paper presents the German case addressing the development of refugee intake, asylum application duration and results and access to family unification between the years 2015 and 2017. Based on findings of the project “Addressing the Diversity of Asylum Seekers’ Needs and Aspirations”, the paper highlights the response of German authorities and civil society to the refugee intake on arrival, and exemplifies the diversity of local actors that engage actively in supporting refugee accommodation and integration measures. Additionally, it addresses the different post arrival programs and policies for accommodation and integration and the differential access of asylum seekers to different rights, offers and services. Finally, the paper summarizes the state of research into refugee intake in Germany focusing on Syrian conflict refugees.