Politicians from the SPD, Greens and The Left have backed proposals to allow Syrian refugees in Germany to take temporary home visits without risking the loss of their protection status.
Under the idea of so-called “exploration trips” or “go-and-see” visits, Syrians would be able to travel back to their country of origin to consider long-term return options after witnessing current conditions.
SPD interior policy spokesman Sebastian Fiedler said such visits could help people get an idea of return prospects and potentially support reconstruction efforts in Syria. Green Party politician Filiz Polat also supported enabling such travel regardless of residence status, while Left Party representative Clara Bünger similarly called for the introduction of “go-and-see” visits for those under protection.
According to Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, 2,593 proceedings were initiated in 2025 due to temporary trips to Syria, with a further 708 recorded in the first quarter of this year. However, official data does not track how many cases led to the actual withdrawal of protection status.
The proposals have triggered strong criticism from the Union and AfD. CDU/CSU domestic policy spokesman Alexander Throm argued that those able to travel safely to their country of origin are no longer in need of protection and should therefore lose their status. AfD representative Gottfried Curio expressed similar objections.
Such suggestions have developed alongside Chancellor Friedrich Merz announcing a goal of returning up to 80% of Syrians living in Germany within the next three years. Appearing with Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, Merz set out a plan linking large-scale migrant returns to Syria’s reconstruction. No binding deal has yet been signed, but both sides have agreed to set up a joint task force to begin turning the idea into policy.
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