Germany Sees Decline in Deportations in 2025 Amid Ongoing Migration Challenges

In 2025, Germany witnessed a notable decrease in deportation orders, with 8,232 individuals issued expulsion notices compared to 9,277 the previous year. The top nationalities affected remained consistent, predominantly from Georgia (671), Albania (661), and Turkey (618). According to data released by the German government in response to a parliamentary inquiry, these expulsion orders are administrative measures aimed at preserving public safety and order, often due to criminal offenses. Those receiving expulsion notices are required to leave Germany and face re-entry bans, with deportations enforced only after a formal threat of expulsion is issued.

This decline highlights a shift in Germany’s migration enforcement approach for 2025, reflecting ongoing adjustments in balancing public security with immigration management. While deportations decrease, the country is also increasingly reliant on foreign professionals, particularly in healthcare. By 2024, foreign doctors comprised 13% of Germany’s medical workforce, totaling 64,000 practitioners. The medical sector's demand for foreign-trained doctors grows as a large segment of domestic physicians approach retirement age, underscoring the importance of immigration in sustaining critical public services.

The process for recognizing foreign medical qualifications remains complex and variable across federal states, described by experts as lengthy and unpredictable. This dual trend of reduced deportations alongside increasing immigration for skilled workers presents a nuanced picture of Germany’s evolving migration landscape.