Afghan Refugees In Turkey Struggle Amid Legal Limbo, New Study Warns

Growing barriers to healthcare, education, legal protection and employment are pushing young Afghan refugees in Turkey into worsening insecurity, according to a new study by the international humanitarian organisation Terre des Hommes. The findings warn that shrinking aid and increasingly restrictive migration policies are deepening risks for Afghans, particularly those without valid documentation.

The research draws on six focus group discussions with Afghan men and women aged 15 to 45. Women made up 76 percent of participants, and many respondents reported suspended or cancelled identity cards, leaving them unable to prove legal residency or apply for essential services.

According to the report, thousands of Afghans now exist in legal limbo. Without documentation, they are unable to secure formal work, access healthcare or education, rent housing or receive social support. This has increased their vulnerability to exploitation, informal labour, detention and possible deportation.

Humanitarian groups say the tightening regulations are eroding access to basic rights. Young Afghans interviewed described rising psychological stress, isolation, and difficulty meeting basic needs such as medical care, school enrolment or stable employment.

Turkey hosts one of the region's largest Afghan refugee communities, with more than 300,000 registered Afghan nationals, according to Turkish and UN estimates. Many fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021 and continue to await pathways to long-term legal status.

International reporting has documented rising arrests, discrimination and forced deportations of Afghans without valid permits. Aid agencies also report shrinking humanitarian space as donor funding declines and Ankara reinforces border and migration enforcement.

The situation is further complicated by worsening conditions inside Afghanistan, where millions face hunger, economic collapse, and severe restrictions on women and girls under Taliban rule, making return unsafe for many refugees.

Advocates warn that without renewed international support and clear legal frameworks, Afghan refugees in Turkey will face deepening poverty and protection risks. Humanitarian networks are calling on the Turkish government, European states and international donors to restore access to services, ensure legal protections, and prevent involuntary returns to Afghanistan.

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