Turks were among the top groups of foreigners without a residence permit who left Germany voluntarily in 2025 under state incentive schemes, according to official data cited by German media.
From January through October, 3,589 Turkish nationals without valid residence permits returned to Turkey as part of voluntary return programs supported by financial assistance. Overall, 30,406 people left Germany voluntarily during the period, compared with 19,538 deportations, the figures showed.
The data were released in response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Left Party and reported by Germany’s dpa news agency.
Germany, which hosts the largest Turkish diaspora in Europe, has long remained a key destination for Turks fleeing political persecution or seeking better economic opportunities.
Following a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, thousands of academics, journalists and civil servants sought asylum in Europe, particularly in Germany, amid a sweeping crackdown by the Turkish government.
The latest figures show that voluntary departures continued to outnumber forced removals, despite an increase in deportations compared to the previous year.
German states frequently offer cash payments to encourage what authorities describe as voluntary return. According to Germany’s Central Register of Foreigners, at least 16,545 departures were supported by financial incentives, though the figure is likely incomplete due to reporting delays.
Syria was the most common destination for incentive-backed returns, with 3,707 Syrians leaving Germany voluntarily. Turkey followed closely, while Russia ranked third with 1,761 voluntary returns. Together, these three nationalities accounted for more than half of all financially supported departures.
The German federal government has not disclosed the amounts paid in individual cases, but previous programs have included payments of around 1,000 euros.
German authorities issue a border crossing certificate to individuals who leave voluntarily, a document that can facilitate future travel compared with forced deportation.
Many of the voluntary returns were carried out under Germany’s REAG/GARP humanitarian support programs, which provide assistance to people who choose to return to their country of origin or relocate to a third country willing to accept them. The programs are jointly funded by the federal government and Germany’s 16 states.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, (BAMF) organizes and oversees departures under the REAG/GARP programs. Federal and state authorities jointly set the level of financial assistance each year, and details are published on the government’s “Returning from Germany” website.