Voluntary Return and Reintegration
Article Migration
Foreigners who are willing to leave Germany, and those who are required to do so and leave voluntarily can receive various kinds of assistance from government and non-governmental sources.
Many people come to Germany with high hopes, but false expectations. Their hopes of being granted asylum and the right of residence in Germany are not realised. This is true of people who do not meet the requirements for international protection, for example. They have no prospects of remaining in our country.
A number of national and European programmes can help these people and others return voluntarily to their home countries. For example, support for travel expenses and start-up aid is available, along with individual social and psychological support, training services and in some cases assistance with finding employment or starting a business too. The programmes are constantly evolving, also taking into account circumstances in the countries of origin and destination.
This support for voluntary return is intended to increase the number of people returning voluntarily and at the same time help them settle in after they arrive in their home country or other country of destination, in order to improve the likelihood of their lasting integration there.
Individual return counselling is available to provide information on possible support in the individual case. These counselling services are offered by independent counselling centres such as charitable organisations, and by government agencies, for example the foreigners authorities.
All of the relevant information on support for voluntary return and reintegration can be found on the website "Returning from Germany" which also offers an overview of all the counselling centres nationwide.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)website also provides information on the most important return programmes at federal and state level.
Return and reintegration programmes
REAG/GARP 2.0: Reintegration and Emigration Programme for Asylum-Seekers in Germany/Government Assisted Repatriation Programme.
The joint federal and state programme REAG/GARP (Reintegration and Emigration Programme for Asylum-Seekers in Germany and Government Assisted Repatriation Programme) offers support for migrants without sufficient funds of their own, including those who are required to leave Germany and those who are unlikely to qualify for protection status, to return voluntarily to their country of origin or to settle in a third country which is willing to receive them. This support also pays for travel expenses. The programme is organised by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and until the end of 2023 was carried out by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and the responsible ministries of the federal states. Since 2024, the programme has been carried out by BAMF. Additional support is provided by the federal StarthilfePlus programme.
EURP (formerly Joint Reintegration Services)
The European Reintegration Programme (EURP, formerly Joint Reintegration Services) offers individual reintegration assistance for voluntary returnees and repatriated persons. The programme is funded by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and is carried out by a network of global and local reintegration partners: Caritas International Belgium, Women Empowerment Literacy and Development Organisation (WELDO), International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA), European Technology and Training Centre (ETTC), Life Makers Foundation Egypt (LMF). The programme offers both short-term assistance for up to 14 working days after arrival (for example, airport pick-up, overnight stays before reaching the final destination) and long-term support for up to 12 months after arrival (for example, educational and vocational training, help with starting a business).
Date of revision: 13 March 2025
