Germany agreed with Syria to repatriate up to 800,000 illegal immigrants in three years

In a historic measure, Germany signed an agreement with Syria that provides for the repatriation of up to 80% of Syrian immigrants resident in its territory.

The understanding, reached in Berlin during the official visit of Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa, could involve the return of approximately 800,000 people within three years.

The pact represents one of the most significant changes in German migration policy since the 2015 crisis and is part of the new strategy promoted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who placed the issue at the center of his agenda. The initiative aims to establish a progressive return after the end of the Syrian civil war and the change of political scene in that country

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During a joint conference at the Foreign Ministry, Merz linked the agreement to the new context that emerged after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. “The civil war is over. Now there is, in principle, the possibility of returning to the country of origin,” he said, while clarifying that the situation of each immigrant will be evaluated individually.

Currently, more than 900,000 Syrians reside in Germany, out of a total of more than 1.3 million since 2015. That year, the government led by the leftist Angela Merkel decided to open the borders, allowing thousands of illegal immigrants to enter, marking the beginning of the European migration crisis

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The new plan envisages a gradual process that will prioritize those without a current residence permit or whose situation no longer justifies “international protection”.

As part of the agreement, a joint working group will be created that will begin operating immediately to coordinate the logistical, administrative and technical aspects of the process. Within this framework, a German delegation is expected to travel to Syria in the coming days to advance implementation.

In addition, Berlin announced an initial investment of at least 200 million euros for stabilization and reconstruction projects in Syria. This funding is part of a broader strategy that seeks to accompany the return of immigrants with measures that promote the country's economic recovery

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For his part, Al Sharaa highlighted the potential positive impact of the return of citizens abroad. As he noted, this process could strengthen the Syrian economy, provided it is accompanied by investments and opportunities that facilitate the reintegration of those who return

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In this way, Germany is moving towards a new stage in its migration policy, aimed at managing the return of undocumented immigrants depending on the new international scenario and the internal conditions in Syria.