Conservation Status: Number of Revocations Rises Significantly
In the first half of 2026, the BAMF ruled on a total of 8,320 revocation review proceedings involving Syrian nationals. In 23.2 percent of the cases , protection status was revoked or withdrawn.
This represents a significant increase compared to previous years. In 2025, only 3.7 percent of cases resulted in a revocation or withdrawal. In 2024, the figure was 3.1 percent. This is according to a response from the federal government to a parliamentary question submitted by the Left Party.
However, refugee status and subsidiary protection were revoked particularly frequently in the first half of 2026. Refugee status was revoked in 9.1 percent of all cases reviewed. For subsidiary protection, the figure was 10.9 percent. Another 3.2 percent of the cases involved a national ban on deportation.
New as of June: BAMF is reviewing additional groups of people
The sharp increase in the number of asylum proceedings is linked to political developments in Syria in recent years. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the BAMF initially suspended most decisions on asylum applications from Syria.
At the end of 2025, the agency gradually resumed processing cases. Initially, the focus was primarily on criminals, individuals posing a threat, and men traveling alone.
Since mid-June 2026, the BAMF has been expanding its review of protection status to include additional groups. These include, among others, individuals whose asylum proceedings have already been ongoing for more than 21 months.
In addition, the new policy affects individuals whom the BAMF does not consider to be in particular need of protection —for example, because they could support themselves in Syria or have a strong family or social network there.
Background: When can protected status be revoked?
In a review of revocation proceedings, the BAMF determines whether a person is still entitled to protection in Germany. The legal provisions governing this process are set forth in Section 73b of the Asylum Act (AsylG).
A review of protection status may take place, for example, if conditions in the country of origin have changed significantly and permanently. Serious criminal offenses or a voluntary trip to the country of origin may also lead the BAMF to review the protection status and, if necessary, revoke it.
In the case of Syrian nationals, the screening is justified by the changed situation following the fall of the Assad regime. Since the change in government, hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees have returned to the country, primarily from Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.
New asylum applications are also being rejected more frequently
But it is not only for those already recognized as eligible for protection that the practice has changed. Even for new asylum applications, decisions are increasingly being denied.
According to the federal government, the rejection rate in the first half of 2026 was 68.6 percent. At the same time, the number of new asylum applications from Syria has dropped significantly. In the first half of 2026, just under 5,000 initial applications were registered.
Criticism of the Rising Number of Cancellations
The Left Party faction in the Bundestag and the human rights organization Pro Asyl have criticized the expansion of revocation proceedings. They argue that the situation in Syria remains unstable and that certain groups of people continue to face threats or persecution.
Clara Bünger, the spokesperson on refugee policy for the Left Party caucus, is therefore calling for additional options for the right to remain for people from Syria who have been living in Germany for some time.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih has also warned against overwhelming Syria with too many returnees in a short period of time. In addition to the several million people who continue to live outside Syria, there are also millions of internally displaced persons within the country.
What Syrians Should Keep in Mind During the Revocation Process
- Take letters from the BAMF seriously and observe deadlines
Anyone who receives a letter regarding the revocation review process should read it carefully and meet all specified deadlines. Missing deadlines can have a negative impact on the process. - Gather documentation regarding integration, language, work, and education
Gather documents that prove your integration in Germany (language certificates, employment contracts, proof of vocational training or higher education, and your children’s school records). Volunteer work can also be helpful. - Gather evidence of the need for personal protection
. Equally important are documents that demonstrate a continuing need for protection (medical certificates, evidence of political activism, or documents regarding individual threats in Syria). - Explain Individual Grounds for Protection
Even though the general situation in Syria has changed, there may still be a need for protection in individual cases. For example, in cases of political persecution, membership in a minority group, or for health reasons. You should provide evidence of these circumstances in as concrete and clear a manner as possible. - Avoid traveling to Syria
Voluntary travel to the country of origin may be interpreted as an indication that there is no longer a need for protection. Therefore, it is advisable to consider whether such a trip is absolutely necessary before traveling and, if necessary, to seek legal advice. - Seek legal advice
Revocation proceedings are complex. Qualified advice from specialized attorneys or experienced counseling centers can be crucial for avoiding mistakes and understanding your rights.
If the BAMF does in fact issue a revocation, it is possible to take legal action against it. Lawsuits against revocation notices are possible, but must be filed within a short time frame.
