Turkish diaspora in Germany reflects on migration and settlement

The historical and personal experiences of the Turkish diaspora in Germany highlight a shift from temporary labor migration to permanent settlement. Following the 1961 Labor Agreement between Turkey and Germany, many Turkish citizens initially migrated with the intention of saving money to build homes in their home villages and eventually return to Turkey.

However, many of these first-generation migrants found that their lives became deeply rooted in Germany. While some individuals express a strong patriotic preference for Turkey, citing its social vibrancy and development, others reflect on how the dream of returning to their villages evolved into building new lives, families, and businesses within Germany over several decades.