Afghan Refugees Continue to Arrive in Germany Despite Suspension of Intake Program
Despite the suspension of Germany's Afghan refugee intake program, Afghan individuals continue arriving via flights from Pakistan, aided by legal actions securing their visas.
- • Afghan refugees arrived at Hannover Airport via Islamabad and Istanbul on October 30, 2025.
- • The German government's intake program for vulnerable Afghans was suspended in May by the black-red coalition.
- • Some refugees obtained visas through legal actions in Germany despite the suspension.
- • The Federal Ministry of the Interior requires all admitted individuals to undergo security checks before entering.
- • Reporters indicate that Afghan refugee arrivals by flight from Pakistan will continue despite the intake program halt.
Key details
On October 30, 2025, Afghan refugees with official admission approval arrived at Hannover Airport in Germany, traveling from Islamabad via a stop in Istanbul. This arrival comes amidst the suspension of the German government's intake program for vulnerable Afghans, which was halted by the black-red coalition in May of the same year. Despite the program's suspension, some refugee individuals and their families have managed to obtain visas through legal proceedings within Germany that enforce their right to entry. The Federal Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that all who receive such admission must undergo stringent security checks prior to entry.
Reporter Achim Unser highlighted that the recent flight from Pakistan is not expected to be the last, indicating ongoing arrivals of Afghan refugees under these exceptional circumstances. This persistence illustrates the continued challenges faced by both Germany and the refugees as the official program remains inactive but humanitarian and legal pressures contribute to maintained refugee inflows.
These developments underline the complexity and dynamism of Germany's refugee policy concerning Afghanistan, balancing governmental suspensions with legal mandates and humanitarian considerations, as well as strict security protocols for those entering the country.