Germany closes loophole on small boats in migrant deal with UK

Germany has formalized a commitment to outlaw the facilitation of illegal immigration into the UK by criminalizing people smuggling. This change in law comes as part of a bilateral friendship treaty between Germany and the UK, signed on July 17, 2025, during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to London. The agreement is significant as it follows concerns about the rising number of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel, with over 22,000 reported crossings since January 2025 alone. Although Germany already has laws against smuggling within the EU, trafficking into the UK was not illegal until this treaty. This treaty is particularly timely, occurring just a week after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signed a separate migration deal with French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing the need for cooperation among European nations on migration issues. The new law envisages empowering law enforcement in Germany to investigate and seize small boats stored in warehouses, addressing one of the major conduits for migrants to travel to the UK through dangerous crossings in the Channel. The friendship treaty aims to strengthen UK-German relations, with commitments not only in national security and migration management but also in defense and economic cooperation. The UK and Germany plan to collaborate on joint military exports and establish a UK-Germany Business Forum, which is expected to foster commercial investments, likely creating over 600 new jobs in various tech industries including defence and artificial intelligence. These arrangements highlight a broader vision of a closer alliance between the two nations, responding to common challenges while enhancing mutual economic benefits. Overall, this treaty represents a significant step in addressing illegal immigration and enhancing cooperation between the UK and Germany on multiple fronts. It is seen as an essential development in post-Brexit relations between the UK and EU countries, aspiring to create a more formalized dialogue to tackle pressing issues of migration and security, and to explore new economic opportunities together.