The UK government has expressed hope that a newly approved German law will help reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. British ministers believe the legislation will disrupt criminal networks that support illegal crossings to the UK.
The new German law, passed by lawmakers on Friday, criminalises activities linked to facilitating migrant smuggling towards the UK. These measures were first agreed more than a year ago and are expected to come into force before the end of the year. UK officials say the law will make it illegal for smuggling gangs to store boats, engines, or other equipment in Germany before moving them to France for Channel crossings.
According to the British government, the legislation will also strengthen cooperation between UK and German law enforcement agencies, especially in intelligence sharing and joint operations against organised crime groups involved in illegal migration.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood welcomed the move, saying the UK and Germany are working closely to crack down on criminal gangs profiting from illegal migration. She thanked German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt for his country’s cooperation and said the government is focused on restoring order at UK borders by increasing removals and removing incentives for illegal entry.
The law comes amid ongoing political pressure in the UK over small boat crossings. Although the first ten months of 2025 recorded some of the highest numbers of crossings, recent figures show arrivals have dropped below the peak seen in 2022. Official data also showed a 28-day period with no recorded crossings before hundreds of migrants crossed last weekend.
Illegal Channel crossings remain one of the most divisive issues in British politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer scrapped the Rwanda deportation scheme after coming into office and instead promised to focus on dismantling smuggling networks. However, opposition parties, including the Conservatives and Reform UK, argue the government has not done enough to stop the crossings.
Some politicians and advocacy groups have taken a different view. Green Party figures, including Zack Polanski, have called for the creation of safe and legal asylum routes, arguing this would reduce the need for people to make dangerous journeys in small boats.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the new German law shows how international cooperation is essential to tackling organised immigration crime. She said smuggling gangs operate across borders and require coordinated action from governments and law enforcement agencies to stop them effectively.
The UK’s National Crime Agency also welcomed the development. Adrian Matthews, the agency’s director of intelligence, said the legal change in Germany would support efforts to disrupt smuggling networks and strengthen collaboration with European partners.
UK officials say they will continue working with European allies to improve border security, reduce illegal migration, and target the criminal groups behind dangerous Channel crossings.