German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa want 80 percent of Syrians in Germany to return to their homeland over the next three years. Merz said this on Monday in Berlin during a joint press conference with Al-Sharaa. The two political leaders will work together to make this mass return possible.
According to Merz, Syrians who are “well integrated” can remain in Germany. “Like doctors. That is also in our interest.” He added that other Syrians are “needed in their homeland” to contribute to the reconstruction.
It is unclear on what basis Merz expects the vast majority of Syrians to move back quickly. The target percentage of 80 percent is also not supported by figures. Between the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 and November 2025, 6,500 Syrians returned voluntarily from Germany. That is less than 1 percent of the total.
Merz said he wanted to start deporting Syrians who are not entitled to residence. But even that group comprises only a fraction of all Syrians in Germany.
During the press conference, Al-Sharaa spoke of a “new beginning” and described Syria as a “safe haven.” He also said he saw many investment opportunities and invited German companies to visit his country. The president said he was working with Germany on a “circular migration model.”
Last November, Merz already stated that he saw no reason to grant asylum to people from Syria anymore, now that the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad has fallen. In doing so, he went against the view of his own Minister of Foreign Affairs. The latter concluded , following a visit to the Syrian capital Damascus, that the war damage was still so extensive that a “dignified life” and return in the short term were hardly possible. Consequently, German politicians, particularly from left-wing parties, opposed his visit to Berlin.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa want 80 percent of Syrians in Germany to return to their homeland over the next three years. Merz said this on Monday in Berlin during a joint press conference with Al-Sharaa. The two political leaders will work together to make this mass return possible.
According to Merz, Syrians who are “well integrated” can remain in Germany. “Like doctors. That is also in our interest.” He added that other Syrians are “needed in their homeland” to contribute to the reconstruction.
It is unclear on what basis Merz expects the vast majority of Syrians to move back quickly. The target percentage of 80 percent is also not supported by figures. Between the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 and November 2025, 6,500 Syrians returned voluntarily from Germany. That is less than 1 percent of the total.
Merz said he wanted to start deporting Syrians who are not entitled to residence. But even that group comprises only a fraction of all Syrians in Germany.
During the press conference, Al-Sharaa spoke of a “new beginning” and described Syria as a “safe haven.” He also said he saw many investment opportunities and invited German companies to visit his country. The president said he was working with Germany on a “circular migration model.”
Last November, Merz already stated that he saw no reason to grant asylum to people from Syria anymore, now that the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad has fallen. In doing so, he went against the view of his own Minister of Foreign Affairs. The latter concluded , following a visit to the Syrian capital Damascus, that the war damage was still so extensive that a “dignified life” and return in the short term were hardly possible. Consequently, German politicians, particularly from left-wing parties, opposed his visit to Berlin.