German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the vast majority of Syrians who sought asylum in Germany during their country’s civil war should now return home.
“In the longer perspective of the next three years, around 80 per cent of the Syrians and Syrian women currently staying in Germany should return to their home country,” stated Merz, during a joint press conference with Syrian Transitional President Ahmed al-Shara.
The civil war is over and many Syrians are now needed for reconstruction, Merz said, while adding Germany retains an interest in keeping those who have integrated well and contribute through work.
Syrians’ protection needs must be reassessed, added Merz, saying “Whoever no longer has a claim to residence in Germany will also leave Germany again.”
It is “essential that we reassess protection needs on a case-by-case basis. This includes ensuring that individuals who no longer have the right to remain in Germany will indeed depart,” he said.
“To achieve this, we must establish reliable repatriation mechanisms and foster cooperation with Syria—particularly for those who have abused the hospitality extended to them,” added the Chancellor.
Merz promised German support for Syria’s rebuilding efforts, including an “ambitious joint work programme for reconstruction and return.”
On Germany’s side, a new task force will coordinate this support, involving the Interior Ministry, the Ministry for Economic Development, and the Chancellery.
A German delegation is due to travel to Syria shortly, with institutions such as the KfW development bank and GIZ set to open offices in Damascus.
Merz also suggested discussing trade policy at EU level.
Since 2015, more than one million Syrians have come to Germany, with around 160,000 arriving via family reunification.
Only about 6,500 have returned so far.
Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been naturalised within Germany, including over 83,000 in 2024 alone.
Merz stressed the need for reliable cooperation with Damascus, particularly in returning criminals and those who he said have abused Germany’s hospitality.
The announcement came during al-Sharaa’s official visit to Berlin, his first as Syria’s transitional leader since the overthrow of previous president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani and a one-time Al-Qaeda affiliate who led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), was received with full state honours when he arrived in Germany.
The new Syrian leader met both President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Merz at the Chancellery on Monday, where was met with red-carpet treatment.
A large crowd of his supporters also amassed in the streets of Berlin.
#Syrians in #Germany are preparing to welcome their president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in #Berlin now. pic.twitter.com/vBTwW0Ihxx
— Qusay Noor (@QUSAY_NOOR_) March 29, 2026
The timing of the visit has drawn sharp criticism, though.
Just days before the visit, armed men from the Sunni town of Qalaat al-Madiq attacked the nearby predominantly Christian town of Al-Suqaylabiyah in Hama province.
The assailants, who arrived on motorcycles, damaged homes, shops, and cars, with reports of gunfire, looting, and vandalism. The destroyed property included a statue of the Virgin Mary.
No immediate casualties were reported, but street protests ensued in which hundreds of local Christians demanding protection and justice.
Church leaders and minority advocacy groups condemned the attacks as part of a pattern of sectarian incidents targeting Syria’s dwindling Christian communities since Assad’s ouster.
Many of them questioned the red-carpet receptions greeting al-Sharaa overseas.
Some highlighted while Merz received Al-Sharaa with all due honours and respect, the same Merz accords AfD politicians quite different treatment, claiming they are dangerous and extremist.
Human rights activists note while Merz is pressing ahead with large-scale returns, the security situation for religious minorities in Syria remains precarious.
After massacring Alawites and Druze the pogrom against Christians has begun. Jolani thugs are attacking Christian businesses and homes. Churches attacked and statues of virgin Mary destroyed. Thank you USA for bringing “democracy and freedom” to Syria pic.twitter.com/VIp09ZVMp3
— Hadi (@HadiNasrallah) March 28, 2026
