Austrian far-right activist Martin Sellner has established what he calls an "Institute for Remigration" in Germany. The move has triggered immediate calls from the Greens and die Linke for the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition government to ban the organisation. For immigrants, expats and anyone with a migration background living in Germany, this development is worth understanding — not because it changes your legal status directly, but because it reflects ongoing tensions in Germany's political debate around migration and belonging. Knowing what is happening, who is involved and what political actors are saying is part of staying informed in your adopted country.
Martin Sellner is a prominent figure in the European identitarian movement, a far-right political current that promotes what it describes as ethnically homogeneous nations and opposes immigration. He is Austrian by nationality and has been barred from entering some countries due to his political activities.
The term "remigration" has been used by far-right groups to describe the idea of reversing immigration — in practice, this means advocating for the mass deportation or forced departure of immigrants, refugees and, in some versions of the concept, people with a migration background who hold citizenship. The term gained broader public attention in Germany after a report emerged about a private meeting in Potsdam in late 2023, at which remigration was reportedly discussed by far-right figures and others.
Sellner's new institute formalises this agenda into an organisational structure based on German soil.
The Greens and die Linke have publicly called on the CDU/CSU-SPD government to ban the institute. Their calls reflect concern that the organisation promotes ideas that are incompatible with Germany's constitutional order — specifically, the dignity and equal treatment of all people regardless of origin.
Whether the government will act, and on what legal basis, remains to be seen. Germany's constitution and laws do provide mechanisms for banning organisations whose activities are deemed unconstitutional, but such processes are subject to legal and political thresholds. The CDU/CSU-SPD government has not, according to the available information, publicly committed to banning the institute.
This political debate is significant because it illustrates a broader tension in German politics: how to respond to the far right operating within legal frameworks while promoting ideas that many consider fundamentally hostile to a pluralistic, diverse society.
It is important to be clear about what this development does and does not mean for people living in Germany with a migration background.
The opening of this institute does not change German law, does not affect your residence permit, your right to work or your access to public services. Germany remains a constitutional democracy with strong legal protections for residents and citizens regardless of origin.
However, the existence of an organisation dedicated to promoting remigration — and the political debate around whether it should be banned — is part of a broader landscape that many immigrants and expats are already navigating. Rhetoric around remigration has caused genuine anxiety in communities across Germany, and it is reasonable to want to understand what is happening and who is saying what.
Staying informed, knowing your rights and being aware of organisations and official bodies that can provide support are all sensible responses to this kind of political climate.
Several questions remain open and worth following:
No. The institute is a private far-right organisation. It has no legal authority of any kind over immigration decisions, residency rights or any other matter affecting your life in Germany. Decisions about visas, residence permits and citizenship are made by official bodies including the Ausländerbehörde and BAMF, in accordance with German and EU law.
Your legal status in Germany is governed by law, not by the activities of a far-right organisation. That said, it is always reasonable to stay informed about the political climate and to know what support is available to you. If you experience discrimination or feel unsafe, organisations focused on supporting people with migration backgrounds exist across Germany — look up official anti-discrimination bodies and regional counselling services for guidance specific to your situation. For legal questions about your status, consult a qualified immigration lawyer or contact your Ausländerbehörde directly.
Remigration is a term used by far-right groups to advocate for reversing immigration — ranging from incentivised departure programmes to, in more extreme versions, the forced removal of people with a migration background, including citizens. It is controversial because, in many of its articulations, it implies the removal of people based on ethnic or cultural origin rather than legal status, which critics argue contradicts Germany's constitutional principles of human dignity and equality.
The establishment of Sellner's institute in Germany is a political development worth monitoring, particularly for anyone with a stake in the migration debate. It does not change the law, and it does not alter your rights as a resident or citizen. But it is part of a political climate that expats and immigrants are right to follow closely.
Stay informed through reliable news sources, know your rights, and be aware of the official and civil society bodies available to support you if needed. If you have specific concerns about your legal situation, seek advice from a qualified immigration lawyer or contact the relevant official authority.
Source: iamexpat
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