A German government initiative aimed at encouraging Syrian asylum seekers to voluntarily return home has fallen flat, with only a modest number taking up the offer—even after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Launched in January 2025, the revamped REAG/GARP 2.0 programme dangled generous incentives: travel reimbursements of up to €200 per person and resettlement grants reaching €1,700 per individual or €4,000 per family. But as of mid-April, only 464 Syrians had packed their bags and left under the scheme, the Interior Ministry confirmed to European media.
The programme was designed to ease the path back to Syria for those who had fled during the height of the civil war, especially now that Assad is no longer in power. However, a spokesperson for the ministry acknowledged the obvious—Syria’s still a powder keg. Many potential returnees are clearly hesitant to head back to an unstable homeland.
“The situation in Syria remains extremely volatile,” the spokesperson said, adding that it’s likely many will hold off until they feel it’s genuinely safe to go. As for how the current turnout compares to initial expectations? The ministry declined to give a benchmark, simply noting that it’s too early to judge the programme’s success or failure.
To date, only 164 more Syrians have returned via other state-sponsored channels since 2024. Meanwhile, asylum applications from Syrians remain steady: 7,816 filed for protection in just the first two months of 2025, on top of the 76,765 applications lodged in 2024.
Germany’s incoming CDU-SPD coalition has vowed to tighten the country’s asylum policies. But skeptics are questioning how serious those promises are. So far, coalition plans include establishing federal “remigration centres” to streamline refugee departures, and restarting deportations to Syria and Afghanistan—focusing first on individuals with criminal records or security red flags.
The coalition also pledged support for Syria’s post-Assad reconstruction, though it’s anyone’s guess when, or if, concrete steps will follow.
For now, the numbers paint a clear picture: despite the cash incentives and political promises, very few Syrian refugees are ready to go home.
