The article is the first in the Russian-language literature to explore the influence of non-state actors of international relations, German think tanks, on the process of solving one of the EU fundamental problems — the migration crisis. A review of the activities of think tanks shows that it is one of the most important topics for them. The research has an interdisciplinary character: in addition to the study of source material, especially analytical reviews and statistical data, it applies Kingdon’s concept of multiple streams framework and a number of other political science methods. These tools are used to assess German think tanks’ recommendations for dealing with uncontrolled migrant streams in the wake of the Arab Spring in North Africa and the Middle East. The recommenda￾tions are assessed according to their impact on the decision-making process and the level of further implementation in German and EU actions. The authors concludes that although the proposals of the centres are of an advisory nature, they often serve the basis for changes in national policy and adoption of new documents. The authors trace a link between the “problem stream” and the “decision stream” (in Kingdon’s terminology). Thus, the ideas of the German think tanks became the basis for the new reform of the Common European Asylum System and the proposal to create transit centres in the EU and beyond. The EU–Turkey cooperation on combating irregular migration, which began in 2015, is also being developed with their active participation. Most think tanks recommended that the EU should not create new structures to regulate migration at the EU level, but rather act within the framework of existing mechanisms. The debate on the migration crisis is still ongoing in Europe, and German think tanks are actively involved in it.