The Voluntary Return of Syrian Refugees: The Difference Between Neighboring Countries and Europe
September 8, 2025141 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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Neighboring countries to Syria are witnessing a noticeable shift in their refugee hosting policies, as Ankara announced the return of more than 474,000 Syrian refugees since last December, as part of the voluntary return program overseen by the Turkish immigration authority. These figures come within a broader context, as the number of those who have voluntarily returned to Syria since 2016 has exceeded one million and 213 thousand, according to official statements.
In contrast, European data presents a different picture. In Germany, which hosts a large number of Syrian refugees, only 1,867 people left the country with government funding by the end of August. This modest number reflects the complexity of the return decision for refugees in Europe, especially with more than 83,000 Syrians obtaining German citizenship in 2024, creating new legal and social ties.
Returning to Syria still faces significant challenges, despite the relative improvement in security conditions after the fall of the Assad regime. Field reports indicate a stark contrast between the relative stability in some areas like central Damascus and the widespread destruction and living difficulties in other regions. This disparity makes the decision to return a difficult choice for families, especially those seeking permanent stability for their children.
On the other hand, new asylum flows continue, with nearly 17,650 Syrians applying for new asylum in Germany during the first eight months of 2025. These figures remind us that the Syrian crisis, despite all developments, is not completely over yet.
The Syrian file seems to be entering a new phase, as the priority shifts from providing humanitarian aid to supporting reconstruction and voluntary return. However, the success of this phase will depend on complex factors, not least the continued improvement of security conditions, the availability of international support for reconstruction, and the ability of the war-torn Syrian economy to absorb returnees.
In contrast, European data presents a different picture. In Germany, which hosts a large number of Syrian refugees, only 1,867 people left the country with government funding by the end of August. This modest number reflects the complexity of the return decision for refugees in Europe, especially with more than 83,000 Syrians obtaining German citizenship in 2024, creating new legal and social ties.
Returning to Syria still faces significant challenges, despite the relative improvement in security conditions after the fall of the Assad regime. Field reports indicate a stark contrast between the relative stability in some areas like central Damascus and the widespread destruction and living difficulties in other regions. This disparity makes the decision to return a difficult choice for families, especially those seeking permanent stability for their children.
On the other hand, new asylum flows continue, with nearly 17,650 Syrians applying for new asylum in Germany during the first eight months of 2025. These figures remind us that the Syrian crisis, despite all developments, is not completely over yet.
The Syrian file seems to be entering a new phase, as the priority shifts from providing humanitarian aid to supporting reconstruction and voluntary return. However, the success of this phase will depend on complex factors, not least the continued improvement of security conditions, the availability of international support for reconstruction, and the ability of the war-torn Syrian economy to absorb returnees.
