Germany news: Deportations on the decline

Despite a decrease in overall deportations, more people were sent back to Turkey than in previous years. At the same time, Volkswagen is facing a fresh ‘Dieselgate’ trial. DW has more.

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A plane carrying deportees leaves Frankfurt Airport
Deporatations to Syria remain extremely difficult, the Interior Ministry saidImage: Daniel Kubirski/IMAGO

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

  • Official numbers show a strong decline in deportations in 2026 compared to last year.
  • More than ten years after the ‘Dieselgate’ scandal, a new trial is set to begin against former Volkswagen executives

Here are the latest headlines from across Germany on Thursday, November 5: 

Skip next section Overall deportations down, but returns to Turkey on the rise11/05/2026November 5, 2026

Overall deportations down, but returns to Turkey on the rise

The number of people deported from Germany decreased by nearly 19% from January to September 2026 compared to the previous year, the Interior Ministry announced following a request from the Left Party.

Some 14,324 people were deported in the first nine months of this year, down from 17,651 in 2025. Turkey was the most common destination, followed by Georgia and Algeria.

The numbers reveal that deportations to Syria remain difficult due to the political situation there, even for convicted criminals. Six people have been returned there since the beginning of 2026.

Deportations to Turkey, however, appeared to buck the trend, as 2,025 people have been sent there.

According to the Interior Ministry, the number of foreign nationals leaving the country voluntarily has also slightly increased. Some 14,140 people have received assistance to return to their countries of origin, compared to 12,263 the year before.

Edited by:Sean Sinicohttps://p.dw.com/p/5P5HlSkip next section Welcome to our coverage11/05/2026November 5, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Elizabeth Schumacher

Good morning from a crisp and autumnal Bonn.

Today we will be bringing you stories about a decline in deportations, corporate scandal and whether Germans will be able to learn to swim and drive — and how much it might cost.

Stay tuned!

Edited by:Sean Sinicohttps://p.dw.com/p/5P5GhShow more posts

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