Syrian Immigration to Germany Drops Sharply in 2025 Amid Rising Returns

In 2025, the number of Syrians migrating to Germany has decreased dramatically, with approximately 40,000 arrivals reported by September, marking a 46.5% reduction from over 74,600 in the same period the previous year. Concurrently, the departures of Syrians from Germany rose by 35.3%, with 21,800 leaving the country in the first nine months of 2025, compared to 16,100 in 2024. By the end of 2024, around 713,000 Syrian refugees were registered in Germany, remaining the largest group of asylum seekers alongside Ukrainians. Syrians accounted for 21.9% of new asylum applications in 2025, with around 19,200 submissions by September. Roughly 12% of Syrian protection seekers were born in Germany, and only about 1% of Syrian asylum applications were rejected, affecting approximately 6,600 individuals expected to leave Germany.

The political landscape influences these migration patterns significantly. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime and the emergence of interim President Ahmed al-Scharaa in Syria, debates have intensified within the German government about repatriation. Chancellor Friedrich Merz showed openness towards deportations to Syria, citing the end of the civil war, whereas Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed skepticism about the feasibility of large-scale returns, stressing the lack of dignified living conditions in Syria. In the previous year, over 83,000 Syrians were naturalized in Germany, representing about 28% of all naturalizations, indicating ongoing integration efforts.

These developments highlight a complex migration dynamic involving declining Syrian arrivals, increased returns, and an active political discourse on refugee policies in Germany.