The German government has decided to pay 1,700 euros to each Syrian family who wants to return to their country voluntarily as assistance, as part of a package of measures that the Federal Ministry of the Interior is working on regarding asylum and voluntary return.
According to a statement published by the news magazine "Spiegel" from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Syria has already been included as a new target country in the REAG/GARP return and reintegration program last week.
The BAMF has also included Syria in the returnees program. Up to 4,000 euros will be paid as start-up assistance to each family, and the agency also covers all travel costs.
According to the same source, Syrians, regardless of whether they are already obliged to leave the country or are still in the asylum process, can apply to cover travel costs, including money for airline tickets. Germany is also paying a one-time support to help ensure a new start in Syria, and if their plans go according to plan, some of them will have to return to their homeland.
*2,000 euros
In addition, according to the service description in the program, there may be additional support for medical services in Syria. According to the guidelines, these amounts may amount to a maximum of 2,000 euros per person, and can be claimed within the first three months after arrival. Some of the money is only paid by NGOs after arrival in the country of origin.
Previously, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees only helped the federal states with their return programs by covering part of the costs, leaving the countries to make their own decisions when it came to organizing trips to Syria and providing temporary funding.
*Similar steps
Saxony-Anhalt and Hamburg were the first federal states to support voluntary departures to Syria in 2024. Saxony-Anhalt paid up to 1,000 euros per person from the state treasury.
According to the State Statistical Office, the number of registered Syrians in Saxony-Anhalt is around 28,000, and 20 refugees reportedly want to return home after the fall of the Assad regime.
The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg also supported Syrians with 300 euros in travel aid last year. This year, 2025, 200 euros will be paid for travel and 1,000 euros for entry fees.
*Review of protection status
Last December, the armed Syrian opposition overthrew the Assad regime and formed a transitional government. Insiders see Syria’s inclusion in the federal government-backed funding program as an important signal. With the resumption of flights and the stabilization of the security situation, deportations to the country may become possible again in the future.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser SPD previously announced that the protection status of Syrians in Germany would be reviewed after the fall of President Assad. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) temporarily stopped processing asylum applications related to Syria in December.
Fares Al-Rifai - Zaman Al-Wasl
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