Germany has joined the UK in a major agreement to fight illegal migration, signing a new treaty that allows German police to confiscate small boats used to smuggle migrants across the English Channel. The treaty, signed on July 17, marks a shift in Germany’s laws and support for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to tackle human trafficking.
Before this new deal, smuggling people to non-EU countries like the UK wasn’t a criminal offense under German law. That legal loophole made it hard for German police to act against traffickers sending boats across the Channel. But under the new pact, that’s about to change. Germany has promised to criminalize such actions by the end of the year, giving law enforcement more power to crack down on traffickers and seize boats stored in German warehouses.
This new move follows a recent UK-France “one-in, one-out” migrant return scheme, where 50 migrants would be sent back to France weekly, while the UK accepts the same number with legal ties. The Anglo-German treaty adds more strength to this regional cooperation.
Germany has become a key transit point for smugglers since the crackdown in France. Many of the boats now used to cross into the UK are imported from China and Turkey and stored in Germany before being taken to French beaches. With this new law, Germany will help stop that supply chain.
Violence among traffickers is also increasing, especially in northern France. A recent shooting at a migrant aid point in Loon-Plage, believed to be connected to traffickers, shows how dangerous the trade has become.
In the UK, more than 20,000 people have arrived in small boats this year. The rising number puts pressure on Starmer’s Labour government, especially as anti-immigration parties like Reform UK gain more attention.
Prime Minister Starmer welcomed Germany’s support, saying Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s plan to close legal loopholes is a major step forward. He said the UK and Germany will keep working together to protect their borders and fight traffickers.
Why is Germany now taking action against boat smuggling?
Germany is changing its law to support the UK in cracking down on migrant smugglers by allowing police to seize boats used for illegal Channel crossings—a move that wasn’t possible before due to a legal gap after Brexit.