Thousands of rejected asylum seekers take money to leave Germany

Thousands of people, such as those with rejected asylum applications or low prospects for a successful asylum procedure, have been financially assisted in their voluntary departure from Germany this year.

By the end of October, 8,263 people left Germany and were financially supported through a corresponding funding programme of the federal and state governments, according to a response from the German government to a request by Leif-Erik Holm, a member of the lower house, or Bundestag, from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Through the Reintegration and Emigration Programme for Asylum-Seekers in Germany/Government Assisted Repatriation Programme (REAG/GARP), destitute migrants can receive money for flight and bus tickets or medical support.

More than €8 million in funding, with EU providing funds

The approved funding for the programme amounts to more than €8.2 million ($8.5 million) this year, the government response showed.

How much of the costs were borne by the federal and state governments cannot currently be specified. This is because the European Union, under certain circumstances, covers the majority of the costs for a departure, with the federal and state governments each having to bear only 5% of the costs.

Deportations are usually significantly more expensive than voluntary departures.

Holm argued, "We should make use of every opportunity to persuade rejected asylum seekers and other foreigners required to leave the country to depart."

He added that it would be cheaper than providing full welfare support for these people in the country. There is even considerable financial support from the EU for these departure aids.

Many applications and longer waiting times

Due to a high number of applications, there may currently be longer waiting times for processing such applications, according to official information. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) stated that there is no legal entitlement to funding.

The number of financially supported departures is projected to be slightly higher than in the previous year. Up to mid-November 2023, there were around 8,460 approved applications, as revealed in response to a previous inquiry from members of The Left party in the Bundestag.