Human trafficking cases rise in Germany as officials call for stronger protections

Human trafficking and exploitation cases in Germany have increased, with the Federal Coordination Circle against Human Trafficking (KOK) documenting 999 cases in 2025. This represents an increase of 131 cases compared to the previous year. Approximately 80 percent of those affected were women, with 58 percent of cases involving exploitation in the sexual services sector. Other forms of exploitation reported include domestic work, cleaning, au-pair roles, construction, agriculture, and logistics. For the first time, three cases of organ trafficking were also recorded.

In Bavaria, Social Minister Ulrike Scharf highlighted the work of the ‘Bavarian Anti-Trafficking HELPline,’ a service established a year ago to provide confidential and free support. Scharf called for a policy shift regarding sex work, arguing that current regulations are insufficient to protect women from sexual exploitation and that buyers should be punished. The Bavarian state government has committed approximately 200,000 euros to support the HELPline in 2026.

Specialized counseling centers report that they are reaching their capacity limits due to rising demand and a lack of personnel and financial resources. Experts note that official figures only represent the ‘visible field,’ suggesting a significant number of unidentified victims exist who do not appear in police or court statistics.