Nearly 950 Syrians return to Syria in 2025 amid Dutch financial support

Nearly 950 Syrians voluntarily returned to Syria in 2025, aided by Dutch government financial support programs and a changing situation in their homeland, the Immigration and Return Service of the Ministry of Asylum and Migration reported Thursday. Another 440 Syrians remained in the process of leaving under a temporary high-support program as of January 1, 2026.

The surge in returns followed the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, after which the Dutch government encouraged Syrians to consider returning.

Early in 2025, the Dutch Immigration and Return Service recorded a slow but steady rise in voluntary returns to Syria. In January and February, 130 Syrians left on their own, followed by nearly 120 in March, nearly doubling the rate from the previous months. At the time, participants received 900 euros per person in cash support.

In September 2025, the Dutch government organized its first chartered flight to Damascus, returning 84 Syrians. Most were refugees or still in the asylum process and had to formally withdraw their applications before boarding.

Financial support increased over the year. Until June 10, Syrians received 900 euros per person. From June through November, standard return support applied: 2,800 euros per adult and 1,650 euros per minor.

From November 17 to December 31, a temporary program offered 5,000 euros per adult and 2,500 euros per minor, resulting in 660 applications under the scheme. By year’s end, 145 applicants had returned, while 440 remained in process.

The Dutch Immigration and Return Service provided a detailed breakdown of returns: 430 applicants had ongoing asylum procedures (80 under the temporary program), 285 held residence permits (50 under the program), and 230 were subject to a legal obligation to leave (15 under the program). A total of 240 applications were withdrawn, including 80 under the temporary scheme.

From January 1, 2026, Syrians applying for return assistance are again eligible only for standard support amounts.