The German cabinet has approved plans to deploy up to 850 soldiers to Afghanistan next year to help train local forces.
The one-year deployment approved on November 19 by Chancellor Angela Merkel's government requires approval by parliament, where her coalition has a large majority.
NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) will end operations at the end of the year and be replaced by a smaller training and support mission named Resolute Support.
Germany has been a major troop contributor in Afghanistan's north over the past decade, with more than 1,500 German soldiers currently deployed there.
The country will continue to be responsible for Afghanistan's north in the new mission.
On November 18, the Italian government announced that country plans to keep some 500 troops in Afghanistan in 2015. There are currently about 1,800 Italian soldiers in Afghanistan.