Tuesday, October 13, 2026 -Authorities in Germany’s southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg have recorded 358 marriages involving minors since 2012, raising urgent concerns about child protection and the enforcement of marriage laws. Only eight cases had resulted in legally final annulments, according to a government response published on October 13, 2026.
One documented case involved an 11-year-old Iraqi girl who was married to a 17-year-old boy, with the marriage annulled in 2020. The findings have renewed calls for stronger safeguards to protect children from forced and underage marriages.
Officials say the remaining cases were closed through other procedures, including situations where a minor reached adulthood, a spouse died, or authorities did not pursue annulment. The figures also highlight gaps in the available information about the long-term outcomes for affected children.
Separately, the YASEMIN counselling centre recorded 271 counselling cases in 2025, including 80 involving people at risk of forced marriage. Of those 80 individuals, 33 were minors, including four children younger than 12. These figures underline the continuing need for accessible support services and early intervention.
Germany prohibits marriage before the age of 18, and forced marriage is a criminal offence. However, the latest figures raise questions about how effectively existing protections are implemented when marriages involving minors take place abroad.
Child protection advocates are calling for stronger prevention measures, better coordination among schools and social services, and improved access to confidential counselling. The immediate challenge for authorities is to ensure that vulnerable children are identified early, protected from coercion and given access to education and a safe, independent future.
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