The expected wave of refugees leaving Syria did not materialise in the Tübingen district last year. The number of consultations at the relevant office in the district administration remains roughly at the 2024 level.
“I had actually expected a lot of enquiries from Syrian refugees seeking return assistance following Assad’s fall in December 2024,” said return counsellor Olga Riedinger in an interview with tuenews INTERNATIONAL at her office in the district administration. She had prepared thoroughly. But things turned out differently. In 2025, only six Syrians from the Tübingen district left Germany following her counselling services.
Together with a colleague, Olga Riedinger provides comprehensive information on how to overcome the many hurdles. They advise on obtaining documents, which authorities and insurance companies need to be notified, and on planning the journey. In addition, the advice centre puts people in touch with local partner organisations to support reintegration in their home country.
Three support programmes for reintegration
According to Riedinger, there are now three support programmes designed to assist refugees in returning to their home countries. The European Union (EU), for example, is working with two partner organisations in Syria. Each adult receives 615 euros as initial start-up aid on the ground, with 2,000 euros for the head of the household and half that amount for each family member as long-term reintegration support, for example to cover rent, the purchase of furniture or school supplies for the children:
https://iom-p-we-webapp-ger-rfg-002.azurewebsites.net/programmes/european-reintegration-programme-eurp/
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) also provides funds for refugees who wish to return (https://www.returningfromgermany.de/). According to the BAMF, significantly more people – over 16,500 – made use of the programme and left the country in 2025. In 2024, the figure was just over 10,000. Most were Turkish or Syrian nationals. The agency has set up a separate programme specifically for Syrians wishing to leave, as EU funds are intended only for people without ‘residence status’. However, many Syrians already hold a residence permit.
In addition, the support programme run by the state of Baden-Württemberg has been extended, Riedinger added (https://jum.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/migration/). For example, travel costs and the costs of obtaining passports are covered. There is a travel allowance of 200 euros and a start-up grant of 1,000 euros per adult, with half that amount for children. To receive the money, one must prove financial need. German citizens are not eligible for the support programmes.returning to their home countries. The European Union (EU), for example, is working with two partner organisations in Syria. Each adult receives 615 euros as initial start-up aid on the ground, with 2,000 euros for the head of the household and half that amount for each family member as long-term reintegration support, for example to cover rent, the purchase of furniture or school supplies for the children:
https://iom-p-we-webapp-ger-rfg-002.azurewebsites.net/programmes/european-reintegration-programme-eurp/
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) also provides funds for refugees who wish to return (https://www.returningfromgermany.de/). According to the BAMF, significantly more people – over 16,500 – made use of the programme and left the country in 2025. In 2024, the figure was just over 10,000. Most were Turkish or Syrian nationals. The agency has set up a separate programme specifically for Syrians wishing to leave, as EU funds are intended only for people without ‘residence status’. However, many Syrians already hold a residence permit.
In addition, the support programme run by the state of Baden-Württemberg has been extended, Riedinger added (https://jum.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/migration/). For example, travel costs and the costs of obtaining passports are covered. There is a travel allowance of 200 euros and a start-up grant of 1,000 euros per adult, with half that amount for children. To receive the money, one must prove financial need. German citizens are not eligible for the support programmes.
Tailored advice for those wishing to leave the country
“We look at which programme suits the clients best and advise them accordingly,” Rieder explained to tuenews INTERNATIONAL. The regional programme is the quickest to process because her small team can organise everything themselves. The others offer more comprehensive support. However, the BAMF currently takes around three months to approve everything. This is due to the large number of applications from Turkish nationals.
This is also the largest group in the Tübingen district. Of 57 people who left the country, 24 returned to Turkey, eight to Afghanistan, six to Syria and two to Ukraine. In fact, their clientele is quite diverse. Of the 100 or so people who sought advice in 2025, some also came from African countries and from the Balkans. In total, there were 225 consultations.
Family reasons for leaving
Riedinger said that the political debate on asylum in Germany actually plays a minor role in refugees’ decisions to return. The decisive factors are personal reasons such as marriage or illness in the family. Those who come for advice are mostly people who have been unable to settle in Germany or who are homesick.
Riedinger does not expect any major changes for 2026. In the first quarter, eleven people sought advice. Nine left the country for personal reasons, three of them to Ukraine. There were no Syrian nationals among them. This may be because the situation there remains fragile. In any case, Riedinger highlights the uncertain situation there during consultations: “Everyone returns to Syria at their own risk.”
Appointments at the return counselling centre at Tübingen District Office must be booked in advance.
Contact: rueckkehrberatung@kreis-tuebingen.de
Further information:
https://tuenews.de/unterstuetzung-fuer-freiwillige-ausreise/
https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/Statistik/FreiwilligeRueckkehr/freiwilligerueckkehr-node.html
https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/gesellschaft/freiwillige-rueckkehr-gefluechtete-100.html
https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/syrer-rueckkehr-bundesregierung-100.html
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