La Germany confirm i transfers of the migrants to Italy and does not seem to be willing to back down. Berlin reiterates its desire to reactivate the mechanism provided for by the Dublin rules for asylum seekers who passed through Italy before reaching German territory. The first concrete case is already on the table: transfer is scheduled for August 19th.
The issue, however, reopens discussions with Rome, especially over the date from which the new European rules will apply. The German government considers June 12, 2026, the date the new common asylum system enters into force, to be the main turning point: transfers will primarily concern cases after that date, while Berlin reserves the right to review those before that date.
Migrants, Germany-Italy: Why the transfers of "Dubliners" are restarting
The so-called Dubliners These are asylum seekers who, after entering the European Union through a specific country, apply for protection in another Member State. European rules establish in which cases the first country of entry remains responsible for the application and therefore allow the applicant to be transferred to the responsible state.
Germany had already reached with Italy and Greece, in the fall of 2025, bilateral agreements to prepare for the resumption of transfers with the implementation of the new European system. Berlin therefore considers the reactivation of the mechanism a consequence of the agreements and the new rules, not a sudden decision.
A spokesperson for the German Interior Ministry also expressed surprise at the Italian reaction, stressing that Rome and Berlin have long been collaborating on the management of migration flows and the implementation of the common asylum system.
The case that is set to lead the way is that of Abdirisaq Warsame, a Somali citizen who reached Germany after transiting through Italy. For her, the transfer in our country it has been set for Wednesday August 19The matter is particularly sensitive because Warsame arrived in Germany on March 31, 2026, well before June 12. This is precisely what makes the case a potential test case for understanding how Berlin intends to concretely implement the new system. The woman's lawyers are ready to challenge the transfer, arguing that her position predates the entry into force of the new European framework. The decision on her case could therefore also impact other pending procedures.
Migrants, Rome-Berlin: How many Dubliners will return to Italy?
This is where the difference between the two governments' positions emerges. Rome essentially considers "cases prior to June 12 to have been eliminated," while Berlin has not ruled out examining them and reserves the right to verify them. Furthermore, the Italian government is still too early to determine what the next steps will be. actual number of new transfersThe issue is, in fact, linked to asylum seekers who arrived after the new system came into force and the case-by-case review by the competent state. The issue therefore concerns not only the August 19 transfer, but above all the number of migrants Germany could subsequently send back to Italy.
Despite the differences, Rome tries to keep the dialogue with Berlin. The Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi he spoke of a "serene and fruitful" discussion with his German colleague Alexander Dobrindt. Even the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani He tried to play down the tension: “I don’t think there is a problem” with Germany, he said.
However, on the Italian table there is also the issue of German NGOsRome requests that the discussions on managing the flow also consider migrants rescued by ships operated by German-flagged NGOs and subsequently disembarked in Italy.
For now, therefore, Berlin is sticking to its position on the Dubliners, while Rome is seeking a balance in the application of the new rules. August 19th will be the first concrete date: the Warsame case could clarify whether the new transfer phase will be limited to cases after June 12th or whether the discussions between Italy and Germany will extend to the old positions as well.
