According to a report by Focus magazine on Wednesday, Germany's Federal Interior Ministry is exploring a substantial increase in return premiums for refugees from Syria. The amount under discussion stands at €8,000 per person, citing government sources. Currently, voluntary returnees receive average support payments of approximately €1,000.
The current system requires calculating the premium amount individually for each refugee, a process described as complex and time-consuming. The proposal now under review would introduce a flat-rate payment per person, streamlining the process significantly. The stated objective remains clear: increasing the number of voluntary departures from Germany.
Germany currently hosts approximately 900,000 Syrian nationals without German citizenship. Among this population, more than 500,000 hold only temporary residence permits based on subsidiary protection status or recognition as refugees. Hans-Eckhard Sommer, head of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), recently raised the possibility of higher return premiums as well.
According to Federal Employment Agency figures from September 2025, around 317,000 Syrians living in Germany were engaged in employment. Of these, approximately 266,100 held jobs subject to social security contributions, meaning they were not receiving social benefits but rather contributing to the social security system. Employment rates among men averaged higher than those among women.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the Green Party. Green politician Max Lucks told Focus magazine that it is "completely absurd to speculate about increased return premiums for Syria while Islamists rule there and BAMF largely ignores the desolate situation in the country." He added that while the federal government cuts integration services, "it should not waste even more tax money on ideologically driven politics."
In contrast, Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) expressed support for considering stronger financial incentives for voluntary return to Syria. He argued that if such measures could motivate more Syrians to leave, it could prove economically sensible.
"Even higher support payments in the four-digit range or, in individual cases, in the lower five-digit range would often still be a gain for the state when measured against the long-term costs of social benefits," Poseck stated. However, he also called for increased deportations to Syria.
The debate highlights the complex balance between humanitarian obligations, integration costs, and fiscal considerations. Supporters of higher return premiums argue that upfront costs could offset long-term social welfare expenses. Critics counter that such policies ignore the dangerous conditions many refugees would face upon return, particularly given the current political instability in Syria under Islamist rule.
The substantial number of employed Syrians contributing to Germany's social security system adds another dimension to the discussion, raising questions about the economic impact of potential departures on Germany's labor market and tax base.
During Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa's recent visit to Berlin, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that both leaders had agreed eight out of 10 Syrians in Germany should return home within three years. Merz stated that conditions in Syria have "fundamentally improved" since Bashar al-Assad's overthrow, making protection status reassessments necessary. Priority will be given to returning Syrian nationals who have committed crimes or lack valid residence permits.
Al-Sharaa supported the return initiative but emphasized the timing challenge, noting "the war is over, but the battle of reconstruction has only just begun." Both leaders agreed to establish a "cycle" enabling Syrians to return and rebuild their country, though al-Sharaa stressed that those wishing to remain in Germany should retain the right to work. Around one million Syrians sought refuge in Germany during the 2011-2024 civil war, with most arriving in 2015-2016.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
By subscribing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
