Overview

• North Rhine-Westphalia conducted its first independent deportation flight on February 11, 2025, sending seven refugees to Sofia, Bulgaria.
• The flight cost €63,000 for the chartered aircraft, with additional expenses such as personnel, insurance, and landing fees yet to be disclosed.
• The deportation was carried out under the Dublin Agreement, which mandates returning refugees to the first EU country where they were registered.
• This operation marked a policy shift allowing German federal states to organize charter flights independently, introduced in November 2024.
• The case underscores Bulgaria's role as a key destination for deportations and raises questions about the efficiency, cost, and ethics of such practices.