More rejected asylum seekers are leaving Germany voluntarily.
Background & Context
In the first half of 2026, 9,276 voluntary departures were supported through REAG/GARP, a German federal-state return assistance program, roughly one-quarter more than in the same period a year earlier. However, the figure does not include only rejected asylum seekers: The program is also open to people with pending asylum cases, people with “tolerated” status — meaning their deportation has been temporarily suspended — and other eligible groups.
In 2025, Turkey, Syria, Russia, Georgia, and Iraq were among the main destination countries. One factor behind the increase is that assisted returns to Syria have again been possible since early 2025.
At the same time, deportations declined in the first half of 2026, meaning that voluntary departures and deportations combined have so far not produced a clearly higher overall number of returns.
Article Profile
Dramatization
Low
2/10
The article covers the topic largely soberly, without dramatic exaggeration.
Moralizing
Low
2/10
The presentation largely avoids moral judgments.
Sharpening
Low
2/10
The article is nuanced and avoids confrontational sharpening.
Objectivity
High
8/10
The article is largely factual and fact-oriented.
Review Transparency
The REAG/GARP figures cover assisted voluntary departures, not exclusively rejected asylum applicants. Residence status and destination countries are partly known, but the published figures are not linked to police suspect or crime data.
Impact Check
Does it affect you?
60% impact
Authorities and political actors in Germany are affected, as the return programs need to be evaluated because departures have increased.
Security risk?
10% impact
No direct security risk for Germany, as the voluntary departure of rejected asylum seekers has no security dimension.
Historic?
75% impact
Voluntary departures of rejected asylum seekers are a recurring topic, as they regularly appear in asylum policy and in BAMF (Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) reports.
Why is this article's headline most likely true
The claim is supported: Assisted voluntary departures are increasing significantly. The rise is a real sign that voluntary return is functioning more effectively again, but it does not yet amount to a broader turnaround in returns.
Part of the increase can be explained by expanded return options, particularly to Syria. No measurable improvement in the crime situation can be inferred from these figures: The statistics do not show whether those who left had previously come to the attention of police.
For some countries of origin, such as Georgia, there is overlap with groups the BKA — Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office — has identified as having elevated rates of repeat offending, but no such link has been established for the specific group of returnees.
This analysis is based on a journalistic report by br.de. The rating and context were produced with AI assistance.
AI Transparency
This analysis was produced, structured and editorially reviewed with AI-assisted systems. The rating refers to the specific statement examined and is based on the sources cited.
Methodology & AI Transparency