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Summary: BAMF decides in writing after the interview. If you receive protection, your residence and rights change. If you are refused, the appeal deadline is very short (usually two weeks, sometimes one week) and you must act immediately. This guide explains the types of outcome and the next steps.
Types of outcome
- Political asylum (Asylberechtigung): for political persecution; in practice used less and limited by the safe-third-country rule.
- Refugee protection (Flüchtlingsschutz): when you have a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group and the state does not protect you.
- Subsidiary protection (subsidiärer Schutz): when the conditions for refugee status are not met but you face serious harm (execution, torture, inhuman treatment, violence in war).
- National ban on deportation: when deportation is prohibited because of a serious danger to life or health or under the European Convention on Human Rights.
- Refusal of the application: as “manifestly unfounded” or “inadmissible” (for example because another country is responsible or it is a repeat application).
If you received protection
- The residence office issues a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis); it is free for refugees and protected persons. Usual duration: about 3 years for refugee protection and about 1 year for subsidiary protection, which is renewed.
- Free permission to work and the right to an integration and language course.
- Access to the Jobcenter and Grundsicherung (instead of AsylbLG): asylum guide.
- Permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after several years and with conditions such as language and securing your livelihood: Niederlassungserlaubnis guide.
- Family reunification: suspended until 23 July 2027 for holders of subsidiary protection; special conditions apply for refugee protection: family reunification guide.
If you were refused: appeal (Klage)
- Put your documents together: the refusal letter and the legal notice at its end (Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung) state the deadlines.
- Find a counsellor or lawyer immediately: the deadline to appeal to the administrative court (Verwaltungsgericht) is usually two weeks and in some cases only one week.
- Application for suspensive effect (Eilantrag): in many accelerated and border procedures an appeal alone does not stop deportation and an Eilantrag must be filed separately.
- In many cases Iranians have received better results in court; a PRO ASYL report says about 42% of challenged decisions were overturned in the first half of 2025. This report is not a guarantee for any individual case.
If the appeal is also refused: Duldung and return
If deportation is practically or legally impossible, a “Duldung” (temporary suspension of deportation) is granted, which is not residence and carries limited rights; its certificate costs about €58 to €62. Another option is voluntary departure with financial help from return programmes. Talk to a counsellor before any decision. In some circumstances (such as vocational training or work) residence later becomes possible by other routes, but every case is different.
Common mistakes
- Missing the appeal deadline; it can hardly be made up.
- Not opening or losing the refusal letter.
- Not getting independent advice before deciding about return.
Previous steps: asylum procedure | free counselling.
Note: this article is general guidance and not legal advice. Rules and amounts change and procedures differ between cities and states; for your own situation, ask an independent counsellor or the relevant authority. Last reviewed: October 2026.
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