In Germany, around 95% of asylum applications submitted by Syrians are currently being rejected by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
According to a Bundestag inquiry by left-wing politician Clara Bünger, only about 5% of applications are recognized, with the religious and ethnic minorities apparently less affected by rejection.
Since Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed power in 2024, certain minorities in Syria, particularly Alawites and the Druze, have faced increasing threats. Demonstrations occurred in Germany during his visit to Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the end of March. Last year, only 5.3% of Syrian nationals were granted protection status, either as refugees, asylum recipients, or through limited protection or deportation bans. In 2024, this share had been almost 100%.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Syrians have already been naturalized. In 2024 alone, 83,150 Syrians received German citizenship, totaling over 245,000 over ten years, representing 28% of all naturalizations.
Germany now plans large-scale returns. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that up to 80% of Syrians living in the country should leave within three years, a policy involving hundreds of thousands of people. Merz outlined the scheme alongside Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, linking returns to Syria’s reconstruction. A joint task force will begin implementing the plan, though no binding deal has been signed.
Berlin intends to send back those without a right to stay, starting with offenders, while allowing settled and working Syrians to remain.
