The voluntary deportation program in Dresden, aimed at encouraging Syrians to return home after the civil war, has seen minimal participation, raising questions about its effectiveness. Despite offering financial incentives—€1,000 per adult and €4,000 per family—only four Syrians out of 7,433 have applied since the scheme launched in January.
City spokesperson Alexander Buchmann confirmed that none have yet left Germany under the program, although some may have departed without claiming the assistance. Dresden officials are concerned about the financial strain of accommodating asylum seekers. The cost of providing three daily meals alone amounts to nearly €8,000 per day, not including benefits, housing, and security.
The broader issue of integrating Syrian refugees has been a topic of ongoing debate in Germany. As of August 2024, roughly half of the 1 million Syrians in the country remain dependent on state benefits. Across Europe, several countries have adopted repatriation programs, with Denmark offering the most generous financial incentives. However, the take-up rates across these nations, including Austria and the Netherlands, remain unclear.
In the Netherlands, political figures like Geert Wilders are pushing for mass repatriations, despite controversy surrounding a recent case involving a fatal stabbing by a man initially thought to be Syrian.
