Germany is attempting to abandon its pledge to resettle Afghan asylum seekers by offering them thousands of euros to stay away. The former SDP government had previously granted these Afghan refugees the right to relocate to Germany.

The majority are currently residing in Pakistan, having escaped their homeland following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Through the program, more than 45,000 Afghans have already been moved to Germany, including former local employees of the Bundeswehr (German army).

Nevertheless, the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has aimed to tighten immigration controls.

As part of the fresh hardline approach toward migration, the conservative-led administration halted its earlier visa pledges during the summer.

This action left approximately 2,300 individuals stuck in Pakistan, who had been preparing to relocate to Germany. Now Berlin is taking an additional step by providing the Afghans with financial incentives to return to their homeland. 

The German Interior Ministry is allegedly mailing letters to the stranded Afghans, offering them €10,000 as a “starter bonus” to decline entry.

Additionally, they are being provided a €2,500 lump sum payment to help facilitate their departure from Pakistan, based on reports from the German publication Die Welt.

A family of four was purportedly offered a €2,750 immediate payment plus €11,500 upon their return to Afghanistan.

Germany’s Interior Ministry acknowledged it was attempting to discourage Afghans from traveling onward to Germany through monetary incentives.

“There are offers within the framework of a voluntary return programme to Afghanistan or departure to another third country,” a statement said.

“The aim is to give prospects to people who cannot expect to be accepted in Germany.”

Afghan refugees have challenged the government’s decision to halt visa approvals.

German courts have consistently sided with the Afghans, directing Berlin to relocate them within the country.

Since the new administration took office in May, four flights have transported 110 Afghans to Germany.