More Voluntary Departures Than Deportations in Germany in the First Half-Year

According to the available data, several states dominate as destination countries for voluntary departures and deportations. Named among them are Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Senegal and the Russian Federation, where a significant share of the returns has taken place.

Role of Frontex and Destination Countries

The European border protection agency Frontex is involved in coordinating individual returns. It organizes collective deportations and supports the national authorities in logistical handling, particularly for flights to West African and Central Asian states.

The countries of origin of those affected also play a significant role in voluntary departures. Programs to promote voluntary return, often run by international organizations and government bodies, are aimed at people who are not entitled to remain in the country.

Political Debate Over the Right to Remain

Clara Bünger has been critical of deportations and the conditions of the right-to-remain rules in the past. She is among the lawmakers who regularly point to hardship cases and call for improvements to family reunification and medical care.

Administrative fines against airlines are an instrument for curbing the transport of people without valid documents. A financial penalty is imposed per case, with the amount determined by the relevant provisions of residence law. The 867 cases in the first half of 2026 point to a persistently high number of problematic entries by air.

Costs of the Returns

According to the government, costs for security escorts add up to approximately 5.93 million euros in the first half. This includes expenditure on personnel accompanying those required to leave on the flight, as well as on the necessary security precautions during handover in the destination countries.

Overall, the statistics show that Germany relies both on voluntary programs and on coercive measures for the return of people without a right to reside. The share of voluntary departures predominates, while the costs for accompanied deportations and the sanctions against airlines remain noticeable.

Developments in the first half of 2026 will feed into the political debate over the further direction of migration policy. Discussions include both an expansion of incentives for voluntary return and a more consistent enforcement of existing departure obligations.