German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced his government will entertain the option of asylum applications taking place abroad. This move, in echoing other states such as Britain, would mean that refugees seeking asylum in Germany need not physically arrive in Germany first in order to apply. 

In fact, this development would push migrants and refugees towards having to apply from their home country or a transit country or face denial and deportation. 

In the British case, a deal with Rwanda would have migrants divert to Rwanda in order to apply for British asylum. While Germany is not yet proposing a third state for incoming migrants, the country’s push towards slowing the overall wave of migrants reflects a rising debate around the issue occurring within the country. Germany is not alone in this sentiment. Neighboring Austria is also considering pursuing such options.