"Voluntary" Return

In principle, you can be supported with REAG/GARP if you are unable to raise the necessary funds for a return journey yourself and belong to the following group of people:

• Persons who are still in the asylum procedure, have a tolerated stay or are obliged to leave the country, provided they withdraw their asylum application or waive their right to appeal.
• Persons who are recognised as refugees according to the Geneva Convention and have a residence permit in Germany
• Persons who have a right of residence in Germany for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons
• Victims of forced prostitution and/or human trafficking 

Please note: For a “voluntary” return from Germany, you need at least one valid travel document (e.g. a passport or passport substitute such as a laissez-passer) for the respective country of return as well as a border crossing certificate (GÜB). You can obtain the border crossing certificate from the immigration office. You must hand it in at the border. If you are travelling to a third country that is willing to accept you, you will need an immigration visa that entitles you to permanent residence or a long-term residence permit that is valid for at least one year from the date of departure. 

EU nationals cannot benefit from the REAG/GARP programme– except that they are victims of forced prostitution or human trafficking. If you come from a non-EU country and do not require a visa to travel to Germany, your travel costs could be covered, but you won’t receive a travel allowance or financial starter grant - this applies, e.g., to people from the Western Balkan countries.

You can only apply for assistance with “voluntary” return to your home country through a counselling centre. A non-binding and independent consultation can help you make an informed decision about “voluntary” return to your home country.

During a personal consultation, the counselling centres will inform you about the various support options available for your individual case and then forward your application to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

You can find repatriation counselling centres at various welfare organisations, other institutions, or social or immigration authorities. Additionally, you can file your REAG/GARP application at repatriation counselling services, central repatriation advisory offices ("zentralen Rückkehrberatungsstelle") and the UNHCR. You can find the nearest return counselling centre here.

If you cannot afford your "voluntary" return, the REAG/GARP programme will support you financially and also help you plan and organise your departure. Whether you will receive financial support and if so, how much, depends on different criteria, namely your nationality. The following options are possible:

• Covering the travel costs, i.e., ticket costs for the plane, bus, train or car
• Additional travel allowance
• A one-time starter grant

If your travel documents need renewal, you will have to pay for the new documents personally. If you are planning to resettle in a country other than your home country, you will have to apply for an entry visa and cover the relevant expenses. 

As the primary program for “voluntary” return, REAG / GARP can financially support your new start in your country of origin. This kind of financial support is called a starter grant ("Starthilfe"). The sum of money you can receive depends on your nationality.

You can find detailed information about the REAG/GARP-programme in various languages at returningfromgermany.de.

The "voluntary" return to Yemen and Ukraine is currently not supported due to the persistently difficult security situation.

 If you are from the above countries, you can benefit REAG / GARP only if you have a visa or a long-term residence permit from a third country valid for at least 12 months, i.e. to leave Germany and resettle in a third country.

Please note: Some federal states, however, allow a “voluntary” return to Yemen but under programs other than REAG / GARP. You can ask your refugee council whether your federal state allows “voluntary” return to these countries.

Your temporary stay permit ("Aufenthaltsgestattung") or residence permit ("Aufenthaltserlaubnis") loses its validity upon your “voluntary” departure. So, you cannot simply return if you change your mind. However, you can apply for a visa and travel to Germany later, since, in principle, “voluntary” returnees are not prohibited from re-entry. After deportation, however, you are, in principle, not allowed to return to Germany for a few years. You can find out more about the different types of visa and the relevant requirements in our chapter "Immigration".

Please note: There is no further support for returning to your country of origin if you re-enter Germany. If you return to Germany permanently after a voluntary return, you must repay the financial aid you have received.

If you can finance your departure yourself or in case you have already received aid within the REAG/GARP programme once, you will not be able to apply again. However, the IOM may be able to help you with travel expenses through the Special Migrants Assistance Programme (SMAP) by providing you and one of your companions with discounted airline tickets. Besides, migrant workers, students and other migrants can also benefit from the SMAP. Flight costs should be covered before departure by the individual or by another body, such as the Social Welfare Office or a charity. In some cases, the Social Welfare Office also assists you with your onward journey to a third country that is ready to allow your resettlement.

Depending on the country you want to return to, there are different reintegration programmes to support your new start in your country of origin. You can get support for labour market integration, further training or receive payments in kind. On returningfromgermany.de, you can see whether there are reintegration programmes available in your country of origin.

The Federal Government also supports various IOM activities which are facilitating​​ reintegration, for example in Afghanistan and Iraq. The IOM is also implementing multiple reintegration projects under the joint EU-IOM Initiative for the Protection and Reintegration of Migrants in 26 countries, namely for returnees in the Sahel and Lake Chad, North Africa and the Horn of Africa. For more information, you can seek advice at a counselling centre.

You can call the BAMF hotline on +49 911 9430 from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and ask any questions about "voluntary" return. The staff speak German and English. If you live in Berlin or Brandenburg, you can also contact the IOM hotline at + 49 30 90269 4848 or email iomdeberatung@iom.int.