Germany Considers Raising Voluntary Return Payment for Syrian Residents to €8,000

German officials are considering a plan to pay Syrian residents €8,000 each if they leave the country voluntarily. The amount would be eight times the current payment offered under existing programs. Over 900,000 Syrians currently reside in Germany without citizenship. Officials have not stated how many people might accept the payment or how the program would be funded.

Germany already offers a smaller financial incentive for voluntary departures. The proposed €8,000 figure represents a significant increase from that baseline. The source of the proposal has not been attributed to any specific ministry or individual in available reporting.

AFP reported that the total cost would depend on how many people accept the payment. Officials have not released estimates of long-term expenses associated with continued residence. No timeline has been announced for a final decision on the measure.