Germany recorded 85,837 politically motivated crimes in 2025, marking a 2% increase from 2024 and the highest total in recent years [1, 2]. About half of these offenses were driven by right-wing ideology. Right-wing extremists committed 42,544 politically motivated crimes, including hate crimes and violent attacks, according to official figures [2].
Violent attacks by right-wing extremists reached their highest level since 2017, with 1,598 assaults targeting migrants, refugees, and political opponents—a rise of more than 7% from the previous year [2]. Hate crimes based on bias against specific groups increased by 1.8% to 22,159 incidents, over 80% motivated by xenophobia and followed by antisemitism [1]. Religiously motivated crimes also rose 5.7% to 1,983, including Islamophobic and antisemitic offenses [1, 2].
Left-wing extremist crimes surged significantly, with 13,490 incidents in 2025—more than a 35% rise from 2024 [1, 2]. Crimes linked to extremist foreign groups numbered 6,886 last year [2]. Total violent politically motivated crimes rose 1.2% to 4,156, the highest level in a decade [1].
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said, "By far the highest number of offenses were committed by right-wing and far-right extremists, demonstrating once again that the greatest danger currently stems from right-wing extremism." He also noted, "Left-wing and right-wing extremist violent crimes are both increasing significantly." [1, 2]
Federal Police Chief Holger Münch pointed to social media's role, saying, "Social media is a major driver of societal polarization, spreading hate, incitement and propaganda that accelerate radicalization and can lead to serious real-world crimes." [1]
Authorities have also reported a rise in online "nihilistic crimes" involving young males exploiting platforms to extort vulnerable individuals over the past two to three years [1]. In August 2026, a Hamburg youth court began hearing the "White Tiger" case, involving a man charged with multiple online abuse offenses, including coercing a 13-year-old transgender minor to attempt suicide [1].
