Germany is reportedly negotiating a new agreement with the Taliban to establish a structured mechanism for deporting Afghan nationals, according to the tabloid Bild. The talks, which are said to be taking place in Qatar, aim to make deportations “significantly easier, more regular, and more massive,” with plans to move from irregular charter flights to scheduled services. A German delegation is also expected to visit Kabul to further discuss logistics and cooperation.
The proposed initiative follows years of debate and cautious action. Germany imposed a deportation ban to Afghanistan in 2021 after the Taliban seized control of the country amid a chaotic U.S. withdrawal. Although the ban was lifted last year, actual deportations remained limited. In recent months, Germany deported 28 Afghan nationals on a charter flight in August 2024 and 81 in July 2025 — all of whom, according to Bild, were convicted criminals.
A spike in violent crime involving migrants has influenced public and political sentiment. The government’s decision to restart deportations came in the aftermath of a deadly stabbing at a street festival in Solingen in August 2024, where three people were killed and eight injured. Authorities arrested a Syrian national in connection with the attack.
Moreover, data reportedly obtained by Bild shows that Afghans have been involved in a substantial number of crimes in Germany. Between 2015 and 2024, police recorded 108,409 serious crimes involving at least one Afghan national. As of late 2024, approximately 461,000 people of Afghan descent lived in Germany, including 347,600 asylum seekers. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) also reported this summer that 11,500 Afghans residing in Germany lacked legal status and were eligible for deportation.
Despite the media reports, German officials have not officially confirmed direct contact with the Taliban government and have refrained from commenting on the negotiations.
The proposed deal, if finalized, would mark a significant policy shift as Germany seeks to address both migration management and public security concerns, amid growing pressure from political factions and segments of the public.
