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Federal Foreign Office

Migration is a life decision – get the facts first

True or false?

Do all refugees in Germany have the right to be reunited with their family members?

No

No. While the desire to be with your own family is understandable, this is not possible in every case. Whether refugees and migrants in Germany are entitled to be reunited with their family members to Germany is dependent on many different factors.

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True or false?

Is there a lottery for immigration to Germany?

No

A lottery ticket for immigration to Germany just a click away – sounds too good to be true? It is. There is no such thing as a lottery for coming to Germany. Be careful of fake websites and rumours on social media.

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True or false?

Has The Gambia signed a deportation agreement with Germany?

No

Media reports that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has signed an agreement with Gambian President Adama Barrow for 1,500 Gambians to be returned from Germany to The Gambia are not true. Both the German Foreign Office and the President's Office confirmed that there is no such treaty. Also, Gambian information minister Demba Jawo also clarified that The Gambia signed no agreement to accept Gambian returnees.

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True or false?

Will the German government give you money to live?

No

In Germany, asylum seekers do receive some aid. But it is based on strict conditions and only granted when all savings and income have been spent. Furthermore, most of the aid is provided in kind, such as shelter, hygiene products or clothes.

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True or false?

Your nationality = your right to asylum?

No

Only people who have suffered or are likely to suffer persecution or serious harm are entitled to protection. Every single case will be examined closely in a detailed procedure. People who do not fulfill the requirements of the Geneva Refugee Convention or of German Asylum Law, will have to leave Germany and go back to their country of origin or country of first entry.

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True or false?

Will you be rescued after two hours in a rubber boat?

No

This is what smugglers promise, but: Rescue missions may not be where your boat is. Even if they were, your chances of being picked-up in time are extremely small – especially if smugglers leave your rubber boat drifting without a motor. The journey remains very dangerous and continues to cost thousands of lives.

True or false?

Will your life in Europe be easy?

No

You may have heard life is easy, but the reality is different: Many asylum seekers have to live in mass accommodation while awaiting their decision. A significant share of applications gets rejected and those migrants then have to leave Germany. Even if granted protection, life is expensive and it is hard to find a job. So why do many of the stories you hear sound so good?

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