Germany pays Afghans: 6,500 euros instead of a visa – what’s behind it?

Germany pays Afghans: 6,500 euros instead of a visa – what’s behind it?

This week, news from German politics is causing a stir: the federal government has decided to offer Afghans who have received acceptance confirmation a financial compensation instead of a regular visa. This immediately operational program affects around 60 people on the human rights list and around 600 who are in the bridging program in Pakistan waiting to leave. The aim of this measure is to facilitate the return process and offer Afghans who are in a precarious situation a new perspective.

The sum offered is around 6,500 euros for single women. This sum consists of 1,500 euros before departure and 5,000 euros as start-up aid. For families, this amount increases depending on the number of members. The Federal Government expects this financial support not only to make it easier for the returning families to return from Pakistan, but also to give them a new start in their homeland, which is struggling economically.

The situation in Afghanistan

A look at Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, shows the challenges the country faces. Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia, surrounded by Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. It has an area of ​​652,864 square kilometers and an eventful history characterized by different cultures and religions. The capital, Kabul, has a population of an estimated 40 to 50 million people and has historically been a center for innovation and cultural exchange.

Unfortunately, the country's past has also been marked by extensive wars, including the Soviet invasions in the late 1970s and the US military intervention in 2001. Following the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, the international community has largely failed to recognize the regime, largely due to serious human rights violations, particularly against women.

Waiting to leave

There are currently around 2,100 Afghan nationals in Pakistan and Afghanistan waiting to leave the country. The situation is dire as over 200 of them have already been sent back from Pakistan to Afghanistan, where they have to live in an insecure situation. According to reports, 20 of these deportees have already made it back to Pakistan to hope for a solution.

The processing of the admission confirmation, which was stopped for months under Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), has started again in autumn 2025. However, so far only two people have been allowed to enter the country regularly, while around 110 people have had their visas enforced through court. In view of the talks initiated in the past between the federal government and the Taliban regime about possible deportations, despite the Taliban's internationally criticized policies, the situation remains uncertain for many.

Criticism and outlook

Wiebke Judit from Pro Asyl has sharply criticized the federal government's negotiations and speaks of a scandal that breaks international law. The situation in Afghanistan and the difficult return of refugees are issues that challenge not only Germany, but the entire international community. Afghanistan, a country with a rich cultural heritage and natural wealth, is faced with the task of emerging from a cycle of violence and poverty.

With these comprehensive measures, the Federal Government is attempting to respond to the enormous humanitarian challenges. Whether this will be enough to alleviate the distress and create a positive turnaround remains to be seen.

For further information on this topic, the following articles can be read: az-online, Wikipedia, Britannica.