The number of Syrian refugees who, after the overthrow of long-term leader Bashar al-Assad, return from Germany to their homeland is slow growing, although it remains comparatively small. According to aid organisations, this is due, among others, to a safety threat and heavy damaged by civilian war infrastructure.
The German news agency DPA informs, citing the Ministry of Interior, that by the end of August, 1867 people had left for Syria, with financial assistance from the German government. Return support programmes to Syria are besides available under the Land Programmes. Additionally, voluntary departures of people who do not benefit from government aid are besides possible.
They come back, but not from Germany.
Since Assad's departure in December 2024, refugees in neighbouring countries, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, have primarily returned to Syria. According to Janine Lietmeyer, a associate of the planet imagination Deutschland humanitarian organization board, the decision to return is frequently difficult, especially for families.
Janine Lietmeyer, who visited Syria in August, claims that the comparative normality prevailing in the centre of Damascus's capital is simply a strong contrast to the serious problems occurring in another parts of the country. This makes it hard for returnees to settle back in their erstwhile dwellings.
In addition to the inactive hard safety situation in any regions, those returning to their homes had to face basic questions specified as: Is there a functioning school there? How many hours a day do I have electricity? Are there any accommodation options? Janine Lietmeyer claims that in any erstwhile rebel bastions virtually all houses were destroyed. The remains of ammunition make staying in these areas dangerous.
Not everyone reports leaving
According to the Central registry of Foreigners (AZR), nearly 955 000 Syrian citizens lived in Germany at the end of July, or around 20 000 little than in the beginning of the year.
In the first 5 months of this year, the national Statistical Office registered only 1562 trips to Syria. However, not everyone who leaves, reports their departure, resulting in delays in updating the data.
Moreover, all period Syrian citizens fall out of statistic on foreigners as they become German citizens. According to the Ministry of the Interior, 83,150 erstwhile Syrian citizens gained German citizenship last year. No data is yet available for this year. However, many refugees who arrived in 2015 or 2016 now meet the naturalization criteria – from providing their livelihoods to learning German.
More arrivals than departures
At the same time, Syrians proceed to come to Germany to apply for asylum. From early January to late August, 17,650 people from Syria applied for asylum to the national Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). However, since the change of power in December, applications from Syrian citizens have not usually been considered – with fewer exceptions and cases where it is explained whether another European country is liable for the proceedings.
This is justified by the fact that the situation in Syria is inactive undergoing major change. This hold resulted in 53,187 Syrian cases presently being brought together in the office, in which the decision had not yet been taken.
What about deportations?
At the end of May, the German Ministry of abroad Affairs submitted an updated study on the situation in Syria to assist the Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) in deciding on asylum applications.
The only Syrians to be re-decided in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of the Interior this summertime are criminals and alleged dangerous persons, i.e. persons who may commit a serious political offence. However, so far they do not gotta anticipate fast deportation, even though the Home Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasizes that he wants to do so.
Since 2012, there has been no deportation from Germany to Syria. "The Ministry of the Interior is working intensively to let repatriation to Syria, in accordance with the coalition agreement and the support of the national states in this respect", the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior informs.
