Number of Syrians in Germany Drops

Germany has seen a slight decline in the number of Syrian nationals living in the country, according to new data released by the German Interior Ministry.

The primary reason for the drop, however, is not due to mass departures or deportations — but rather the increasing number of Syrians gaining German citizenship.

Officials clarified that although some Syrians have returned to their homeland as the conflict has deescalated, this is not the main factor behind the decline in official statistics.

Most Syrians who arrived during the refugee waves of 2015 and 2016 have now become eligible for naturalization. Once granted German citizenship, individuals are no longer counted in the country's official foreign resident registry — even if they retain dual nationality.

According to data from the Central Register of Foreigners, the number of Syrians in Germany stood at 968,899 at the end of March 2025. That’s a decrease from 972,470 at the end of February, representing a drop of 3,571 individuals in just one month.

The statistics also show that 10,729 Syrians in Germany are technically subject to potential deportation. However, the vast majority of them — about 9,649 people — are currently protected by temporary residence permits that prevent immediate removal.

Notably, Germany has not carried out any deportations to Syria since 2012 due to safety concerns. When deportations do occur, they typically involve transfers to other EU countries under the Dublin Regulation, which assigns responsibility for asylum claims based on initial country of entry.

Since January 13, 2025, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has supported voluntary returns to Syria as part of a broader reintegration initiative.

More than 600 Syrians have returned to Syria voluntarily since the start of the year, aided by financial support from German government agencies.