Overview

• The Interior Ministry reports 1,867 people used federal return support to Syria by the end of August, while separate statistics logged only 1,562 exits in January–May and officials note not all departures are de‑registered promptly.
• Syrian arrivals continued with 17,650 asylum applications from January through August, yet BAMF has largely paused decisions since December, leaving 53,187 Syrian cases pending.
• Germany counted roughly 955,000 Syrian nationals at the end of July according to the AZR, and 83,150 people formerly holding Syrian nationality were naturalized in 2024, reducing the registered foreigner total.
• Aid groups describe stark obstacles to sustainable return, citing damaged housing, limited services and unexploded ordnance outside central Damascus, and note that most recent returnees have come from neighboring countries.
• CDU figures Marc Henrichmann and Alexander Throm urge stronger incentives and Bürgergeld changes to raise voluntary returns, as deportations to Syria remain suspended since 2012 and the government works on enabling removals for criminals and security risks.