Germany Afghanistan Deportation Talks Advance

Government Confirms Direct Contacts And Goals

Germany Afghanistan deportation talks have moved into an active stage, with the Interior Ministry confirming direct contacts to organize regular removals to Kabul. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the aim is to establish predictable returns rather than occasional charter operations. Officials describe a technical process focused on identity checks, travel documentation and airport coordination so that removals can occur on scheduled flights where possible.

The shift follows meetings between German officials and Taliban representatives in Qatar at the start of September. Preparations are underway to send a German delegation to Kabul to continue on-site discussions, with Qatar acting as facilitator. Berlin stresses that these exchanges do not imply diplomatic recognition of the Taliban; they are operational contacts intended to implement court-ordered removals under German law.

From Charters To Scheduled Flights

Authorities want a repeatable mechanism that reduces reliance on scarce charter capacity. Under the proposed framework, Germany would verify identities, issue necessary papers and coordinate handover procedures in cooperation with Afghan counterparts. Using regular airline routes is expected to increase frequency and scale, subject to carrier availability and security approvals at both ends.

Officials argue that a standardized workflow can clear recurring bottlenecks. Defined liaison points, agreed documentation steps and contingency plans for disrupted flights are part of the design. Even with an expanded channel, each case will still pass through legal checks, humanitarian assessments and court oversight, reflecting the individual nature of removal decisions.

Record Of Removals Since 2021

Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, Germany has carried out two deportation flights to Afghanistan with Qatari support. In August 2024, 28 convicted offenders were returned to Kabul. In July 2025, another operation flew 81 men classified by the Länder with serious criminal records, including violent and narcotics offenses. Officials say such one-off charters cannot deliver enforcement at the scale required for final orders.

Current figures from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees indicate that thousands of Afghan nationals are under enforceable departure obligations. Coalition policy states that returns should begin with convicted offenders and security cases. The Interior Ministry argues that a reliable channel is necessary for enforcement credibility and to reduce prolonged uncertainty for all parties.

Human Rights Concerns And Government Response

Rights organizations warn that forced returns to Afghanistan carry significant risks, citing restrictions on women and widespread abuses. They argue that non-refoulement principles must prevail wherever torture or inhuman treatment is likely, and they call for the immediate suspension of removals. These groups also question whether reception and reintegration structures inside Afghanistan can support returnees.

The government replies that Germany applies case-by-case legal reviews and humanitarian exemptions, and that contacts with Taliban representatives are strictly technical. Officials underline that Berlin has no diplomatic relations with the Taliban and will not offer concessions. They note that similar channels are used to evacuate vulnerable people from Afghanistan and that operational communication does not equate to recognition.

Germany Afghanistan Deportation Talks And IOM Warnings

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports major obstacles for returnees trying to restart their lives. Many have sold assets or taken on debt to leave and face limited prospects on arrival. Women encounter systemic barriers to work and higher education. IOM says it has suspended or restricted support for voluntary returns to Afghanistan due to current conditions, and it cautions against large-scale removals that exceed the system’s capacity.

At border reception points, programs funded by Germany and the European Union provide basic aid such as cash for onward travel to home regions. Non-governmental organizations are also present. Even so, the agency emphasizes that absorption capacity remains tight, and any surge in returns requires careful coordination, transparent procedures and realistic timelines.

Regional Pressure On Afghanistan’s Borders

Removals to Afghanistan are not limited to Europe. Iran and Pakistan have sent back large numbers since 2023, with IOM estimating millions returned across the year. Pakistan recently expelled people who held German admission commitments, including former local staff and other high-risk cases awaiting visas processed through Islamabad. These actions complicate Germany’s own admission pipeline and add urgency to finalize pending cases.

Turkey continues to carry out removals as well, describing many as voluntary, a characterization disputed by rights advocates. Fluctuations in regional enforcement—such as deadlines for undocumented residents—have produced sudden waves at border crossings, sometimes reaching tens of thousands per day. Such spikes illustrate why predictable scheduling and coordinated handovers matter for any bilateral return mechanism.

Legal Boundaries And Expected Timelines

Berlin reiterates that Germany maintains no diplomatic relations with the Taliban. The talks focus on identity verification, travel documents and reception protocols, framed as “technical contacts.” The Interior Ministry has indicated that a finalized operational arrangement could be reached within weeks if practical guarantees at Kabul Airport are confirmed.

Critics warn that any engagement risks conferring legitimacy. The ministry counters that operational coordination is necessary to implement court decisions. Officials argue that a rules-based channel can shorten detention times, clarify responsibilities for carriers and airports, and provide a transparent process for those with final removal orders, while Germany continues to process protected admissions in parallel.

Admissions, Exceptions, And Parallel Tracks

While removals are being operationalized, Germany is also processing admissions for Afghans with confirmed commitments, including former local staff and especially vulnerable individuals. With the German embassy in Kabul closed, these cases are handled through regional hubs such as Islamabad. Recent instances show that individuals have arrived on scheduled flights after legal challenges confirmed their right to enter.

The two tracks—returns for people without a legal right to remain and admissions for those with protection claims—will continue in parallel. Authorities say that keeping both pathways functioning is essential to uphold the rule of law, protect those at risk and deliver predictable outcomes for people whose cases are already decided.