Dutch Government Backing Syrian Returns

Starting on Tuesday, November 18th, Syrians in the Netherlands who wish to return home can apply for increased voluntary return support. The temporary scheme offers €5,000 per adult and €2,500 per child, up from €2,800 and €1,650 previously.

The support is available to Syrians who lived in the Netherlands before October 1, 2025, and applications can be submitted by a  January 1, 2026 deadline through the Return and Departure Service website.

Minister David van Weel said the goal is to encourage voluntary returns and create more space in asylum reception centers, while also allowing returnees to contribute to Syria’s reconstruction.

The Dutch government faces increasing pressure due to the high number of migrants in the country. A study shows that around 1.7 million foreign workers are employed in the Dutch labor market, far more than official estimates of 220,000 to 700,000. The number of undocumented migrants is even harder to track. Officials have noted that the rise in population from migration has coincided with an increase in crime.

The government stressed that cooperation with Syrian authorities is essential to support voluntary returns and manage border and migration issues. The policy follows recent diplomatic talks in Damascus aimed at facilitating returns and improving the socio-economic situation in Syria.

This comes after other recent initiatives, such as a letter of intent signed with Uganda to use the country as a transit point for returning illegal migrants.