Germany news: Deportations on the decline

Deporatations to Syria remain extremely difficult, the Interior Ministry saidImage: Daniel Kubirski/IMAGOAdvertisementSkip next section What you need to knowWhat 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: 

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.

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.