Germany aims to begin processing the asylum claims of tens of thousands of people many of whom already have refugee status in Greece. The applications had been put on hold by German migration authorities.
Last year saw another sharp rise in the number of people arriving 'irregularly' in Germany, even though they had already received refugee protection in Greece. Tens of thousands of claims for asylum in Germany remain on hold while authorities try to tackle the problem.
People who apply for asylum in Germany will have their case put on hold if they have already received protection in Greece, migration authorities say. This year more than 2,000 recognized refugees from Greece have made another claim in Germany.