Brussels – Germany has begun legal proceedings to revoke refugee protection from 734 Syrians who visited Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December, according to German newspaper Welt.
Under German asylum law, refugees who voluntarily return to their countries of origin, even temporarily, risk losing their protected status. Authorities view such visits as evidence that the individual no longer faces serious threat at home.
Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) said it had initiated over 2,000 such cases involving various nationalities between November 2024 and March 2025, including 762 Iraqis, 240 Afghans, 115 Iranians, and 31 Turks.
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The review process begins as soon as authorities learn of a refugee’s travel to their home country. Reasons for revoking protection may include improved conditions in the country of origin or criminal activity in Germany.
While tightening its asylum policies, Germany is also reportedly considering exemptions for Syrian refugees who travel for the purpose of preparing a permanent return.
In parallel, Austria’s interior ministry announced it had withdrawn asylum requests from over 2,400 Syrian applicants since December and was preparing a voluntary repatriation program.
Germany’s federal return assistance program offers up to €4,000 per family to help with resettlement costs, including travel and medical expenses, for those opting to return voluntarily.
