The number of Syrians returning to their country has declined since the beginning of 2025. According to figures from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, only 1,867 Syrians had departed by the end of last August with support from Germany’s return financing program. By the end of May, the number of beneficiaries stood at just 804. Since the fall of the Assad regime, fewer than 2,000 people have left Germany through Syrian return support programs, while Syrian asylum applications have increased eightfold.
The decline is linked to ongoing security unrest in Syria, as well as the weakened infrastructure left damaged by the war. According to Janine Lietmeyer of the migrant-support organization World Vision, many parts of Syria suffer from major problems such as housing, schools, and electricity. After her most recent visit to Syria last month, Lietmeyer said: “Returnees face fundamental questions such as: Is there a functioning school? How many hours of electricity will I have each day? Are there any housing options at all?” She also noted that homes in some rebel-held areas have been completely destroyed.
By the end of last July, the number of registered Syrians in Germany stood at 955,000 — just 20,000 fewer than a year earlier. Immigration and asylum authorities are still receiving applications from Syrians, amounting to 17,650 since the beginning of 2025.
According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, 83,150 Syrians obtained German citizenship in 2024, and the number of those granted citizenship is expected to increase in the coming period, as many Syrians who arrived in Germany during 2015/2016 met the requirements for naturalization, particularly learning German and finding work.
Asylum applications submitted by Syrians have accumulated since December 2024, with 53,187 applications during that period. This is due to the new federal government’s suspension of processing asylum applications due to the unstable situation in Syria.
The Federal Foreign Office submitted a report on the developments in Syria to assist the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in making decisions in exceptional cases regarding Syrians, particularly dangerous individuals who could pose a security threat, so that they can be deported. Although deportations to Syria have been suspended since 2012, the Federal Ministry of the Interior is working to facilitate deportations to Syria in implementation of the coalition document and to support the states, according to a ministry spokeswoman.
