The Department of the Interior is considering increased support for voluntary return
According to Focus, the Federal Ministry of the Interior, led by Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), is examining whether Syrians who voluntarily return to their home country could receive a lump-sum payment of 8,000 euros in the future. So far, the support has generally been significantly lower, at around 1,000 euros.
Starting in January 2025, Syrians in Germany will be able to apply for government assistance to return permanently to their home country.
An important tool in this regard is the REAG/GARP return program, coordinated by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Among other things, this program covers the travel costs associated with voluntary return. In certain cases, returnees also receive financial start-up assistance.
Generally, the BAMF can provide up to 1,700 euros per person or up to 4,000 euros per family. However, there is no legal entitlement to this assistance. Whether financial support is granted and how much it amounts to is always determined on a case-by-case basis.
The situation is supposed to be different with the €8,000 bonus currently under discussion. According to Focus, the amount will no longer be calculated on an individual basis for each specific case but will instead be paid as a fixed lump sum.
A spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior told the *Münchner Merkur* that no decision has yet been made regarding an increased return bonus. This means that the €8,000 return bonus is not currently an approved program. So far, it is merely a policy consideration that has been reported on.
What is a return bonus?
A return grant is a form of financial assistance for people who wish to leave Germany voluntarily and return permanently to their country of origin. It is intended, for example, to help them organize their journey, cover initial expenses after arrival, or make it easier for them to start a new life in their country of origin.
This assistance is intended exclusively for third-country nationals, that is, people from countries outside the European Union. Eligible individuals include, for example, those in the asylum process, individuals required to leave the country, and people with Tolerance permit , or individuals with certain humanitarian residence permits.
Anyone wishing to receive return assistance must apply for it before leaving the country. In addition, applicants are generally required to prove that they cannot afford the return trip on their own. Furthermore, this assistance is generally intended to be provided only once for permanent departure.
The grant is subject to certain conditions and rules. The return must be voluntary and permanent. Anyone applying for return assistance must declare that they are not traveling to their country of origin merely on a temporary basis.
Once the assistance has been accepted, the individuals concerned must actually leave the country. Anyone who receives the money but does not leave the country or later returns to Germany permanently may be required to repay the benefits received.
Why is there discussion about higher return premiums?
Since the ouster of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, there has been political debate in Germany over whether Syrians still require protection. The return incentive is now apparently intended to provide a stronger incentive for voluntary return.
Hans-Eckhard Sommer, president of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, stated a few weeks ago that, in his view, the current financial support for voluntary return is insufficient. Hesse’s Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) also believes that stronger financial incentives are appropriate.
In contrast, the Greens and aid organizations have voiced strong criticism. According to Focus, Green Party politician Max Lucks criticized the fact that there is talk of higher premiums even though the situation in Syria remains very difficult. He accused the federal government of not taking the dire situation in the country sufficiently into account.
Aid organizations are also warning against returning too soon: According to the International Rescue Committee, large parts of Syria’s infrastructure have been destroyed. Many people have been displaced within the country, and a large portion of the population lives in poverty.
Reconnaissance missions: Can Syrians assess the situation on the ground?
Another problem is that many Syrians in Germany are unable to assess the situation on the ground for themselves. Anyone who travels to their country of origin while holding protected status risks having that status reviewed or revoked. A trip to Syria can therefore affect their right to remain in Germany.
That is why some politicians are calling for temporary visits home to be allowed. Those affected could then assess for themselves whether returning is a realistic option for them and their families. However, no such provision currently exists.
The CDU and the AfD, in particular, oppose fact-finding missions to Syria. Therefore, the following still applies: Anyone with protected status who travels to Syria risks losing their residency status in Germany.
Conclusion: What happens now?
For Syrians living in Germany, the current reports do not change anything for the time being. A return incentive of 8,000 euros is currently only under political consideration and has not yet been decided.
However, anyone considering voluntarily returning to Syria can already contact the BAMF to find out whether assistance is available and what the amount would be in their specific case.
Important: Anyone who voluntarily returns to their country of origin should always carefully check in advance what this means for their own protection status, the Residence permit and a possible return to Germany at a later date.
Anyone who receives return assistance but subsequently returns to Germany on a long-term basis may be required to repay the benefits received. This is because return assistance is earmarked for a specific purpose: to facilitate permanent, voluntary departure from Germany.
The proposed return incentive of 8,000 euros indicates that the federal government wants to place greater emphasis on voluntary return. However, it remains to be seen whether the new lump-sum payment will actually be implemented. No final decision has been made yet.
