Germany reopened its embassy in Damascus for the first time since 2012, marking a significant shift in Berlin’s engagement with Syria. The move reflects Germany’s intention to monitor the evolving situation on the ground and encourage voluntary returns of Syrian refugees under improved safety conditions. Officials emphasize that the reopening is symbolic but also practical, allowing Germany to gather firsthand information about security, infrastructure, and living conditions in different parts of Syria .
Temporary Visits to Syria Without Losing Asylum Status
Germany recently introduced a policy allowing Syrian refugees to visit their home country for short periods, up to four weeks, without losing their protected status. These visits are intended to help refugees assess the safety of returning home and whether their communities have recovered sufficiently.
Participants must register in advance, ensuring authorities can provide guidance and monitor security risks. These temporary visits serve as a bridge between living in Germany and contemplating permanent return.
Financial Incentives and Support Programs
To encourage voluntary returns, Germany has revived its Return and Reintegration Assistance Program, offering financial aid to individuals and families. Single returnees can receive up to €1,700, while families may receive up to €4,000. The program also covers travel and reintegration support to help refugees reestablish their lives in Syria.
Despite these incentives, uptake remains low. By mid-2025, only 464 individuals had returned via the official program, reflecting both uncertainty about safety in Syria and the challenge of uprooting established lives in Germany.
The push for voluntary returns has sparked debate across German politics. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser highlighted the policy as compliant with German law, emphasizing that protection could be reassessed if conditions in Syria are deemed stable. Meanwhile, CDU leaders advocate for more proactive measures, including chartered flights and direct financial incentives.
Refugee Reluctance and Humanitarian Concerns
Many Syrian refugees remain hesitant to return. Most have built lives in Germany, with employment, education, and family ties anchoring them. Only a small percentage, around 6%, are willing to return at present. Refugees cite safety concerns, damaged infrastructure, and uncertainty about political stability. Emotional ties and the experience of integrating into German society also play a major role, making permanent returns difficult despite financial incentives and official encouragement.
Germany’s approach reflects a careful balance between humanitarian responsibility and domestic political realities. While encouraging voluntary returns, the government has simultaneously suspended UN refugee resettlement programs and limited family reunifications for those with subsidiary protection status.
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