Berlin / Islamabad – The German government has introduced a controversial scheme offering cash payments to Afghan nationals in Pakistan if they abandon efforts to immigrate to Germany under a resettlement program for vulnerable groups. The initiative targets Afghans who previously worked with German forces in Afghanistan and are at risk under Taliban rule.

Background on the Resettlement Program

Approximately 2,000 Afghans have already been approved for relocation to Germany under the program but have been stranded in Pakistan for months or even years awaiting transfer. The program was designed to protect those at risk due to affiliations with German institutions, including local staff, lawyers, journalists, human rights workers, and their families.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz suspended the program in May 2025, aiming to signal his administration’s strict stance on migration amid rising political pressure from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has led recent opinion polls.

“It is logical that if we assume that people have no possibility of being admitted to Germany, we offer them some perspective, and this is linked to making a financial offer for a voluntary return to Afghanistan or another third country,” said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.

Afghans with binding approval to enter Germany under the suspended program are still allowed to relocate, following mandatory security checks. Others, however, are being offered cash payments to voluntarily return to Afghanistan or a third country.

The Cash Offer

German media report that the payments amount to several thousand euros, with initial installments paid in Pakistan and additional payments provided upon arrival in Afghanistan or a third country.

The offer has sparked criticism and outrage among Afghans in Pakistan. One recipient described the scheme as a “shameful and foolish deal that jeopardises our future and that of our children,” highlighting the emotional and logistical challenges faced by those hoping to relocate to Germany.

Legal Exceptions

A small number of Afghans approved under legally binding court orders continue to arrive in Germany. For example, 31 Afghans recently arrived in Hanover, having successfully sued the German government to enforce their right to relocation.

Broader Context

The resettlement program reflects Germany’s ongoing struggle to balance humanitarian commitments with domestic concerns about migration. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 and ongoing persecution of local staff, journalists, and human rights defenders has heightened the urgency of relocation programs for at-risk Afghans.

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Key Takeaways

• Germany is offering cash incentives to Afghans in Pakistan to halt immigration efforts.
• The scheme targets individuals stranded under the resettlement program who are at risk under Taliban rule.
• Payments are made in installments, partly in Pakistan and partly on arrival in Afghanistan or a third country.
• Afghans with binding court-approved relocation rights can still enter Germany.
• The initiative has sparked criticism and disappointment among the refugee community.