The number of voluntary returns is increasing: Over 9,000 migrants left Germany in the first half of the year

The number of migrants and rejected asylum seekers who voluntarily return to their countries of origin has increased. In the first half of this year, according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf), 9,276 people returned to their home countries with federal support. In the same period in 2025 there were 7,348 people. The number of supported voluntary returnees also increased significantly throughout last year. In 2025, the federal authorities supported a total of 16,578 people in returning to their country of origin or to a third country that was willing to accept them. In 2024 there were still 10,358 people. Newspapers from the Funke media group first reported on the numbers. According to the Central Register of Foreigners, a total of 258,845 people in Germany were required to leave the country at the end of June 2026. 199,271 of them were therefore tolerated. This means that they actually have to leave Germany, but their deportation is temporarily suspended. With the so-called Reag/Garp program, the Bamf supports people in voluntarily returning to their countries of origin or to third countries that are willing to accept them. The federal government covers the costs of the trip, among other things. In addition, adults receive financial “start-up assistance” of 1,000 euros, children and young people 500 euros. Since January 2025, supported voluntary return to Syria has been possible again. The program had previously been suspended due to the civil war in the country.