UK, Germany Sign Treaty, Germany Plans Crackdown on Migrant Smuggling

Germany will introduce new legislation by the end of the year criminalizing the facilitation of illegal migration specifically to non-EU countries, including the UK, which is currently not illegal under German law for countries outside the EU. This move is part of a broader bilateral agreement on migration, defence, and trade signed during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first official visit to the UK, where he and Prime Minister Keir Starmer also agreed to boost exports of military goods and develop a long-range precision strike missile. The legal changes will empower German authorities to investigate and dismantle smuggling networks that supply small boats used to illegally cross the English Channel, addressing Germany's role as a logistics hub for these operations. Starmer welcomed the commitment as a significant step in disrupting the supply lines of dangerous vessels, amid rising political pressure due to a sharp increase in small boat crossings to the UK, which have risen by 56% compared to the previous year. These measures follow a recent pilot returns scheme with France and aim to strengthen cooperation to tackle people-smuggling gangs. The legislation builds on initiatives started by Germany's previous government and is expected to enable prosecutions as early as January 2026.