Migration

In the topic area “migration,” our experts research migration flows and policies related to migration, asylum, and flight in Europe and key countries of origin, transit, and destination. They examine international migration agreements and processes of return and reintegration. The aim is to develop fact-based policy recommendations for constructive and balanced migration policies.

Research in this topic area is carried out by various teams at DGAP. You can find more information about our research centers here: https://dgap.org/en/research-institute

Recent publications

Effects of the EU’s Migration Diplomacy

Lessons from Tunisia, Mauritania, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan

This report assesses what the EU's high-profile deals with countries in the MENA region have actually achieved and offers recommendations for the EU to improve its migration diplomacy.

Sophie Meiners

Svenja Niederfranke

Five EU countries team up to build return hubs outside Europe

Allianzbildung in der Migrationspolitik

Was die Return-Hubs-Arbeitsgruppe leisten kann und was nicht

Svenja Niederfranke

Isabelle Schäfer

Morocco as a Migration Partner

Goals, Formats, Effects, and Next Steps for Germany, Spain, and France

Isabelle Schäfer

Mai-Linh Ho Dac

Houses are submerged in water in a village due to corruption in flood-control projects, which has been further worsened by frequent typhoons, in Calumpit, Bulacan Province, the Philippines on September, 26, 2025.

Migration in Zeiten des Klimawandels

Wenn Bleiben unmöglich wird

Kira Vinke

Anna Sperber

Zwischen Dürre, Flut und Ernteausfällen wird Migration zur Anpassungsstrategie – und doch ist sie selten freiwillig. Der Klimawandel verengt Handlungsspielräume. Wer wegkann, wer bleiben muss und wer unversehrt ankommt, entscheidet sich entlang von Geld, Netzwerken und struktureller Ungleichheit.

Germany and the Return Hubs Debate: Clearing the Fog

Svenja Niederfranke

Germany’s debate on return hubs suffers from vague definitions. Clarifying its purpose, target groups, stay conditions, responsibilities, and potential host countries is essential for coherent policy, sound cost-benefit analysis assessment, and effective EU negotiations.