Since July 2025, Austria has carried out several removals of convicted Syrian criminals to their home country. Voluntary departures of individuals from Syria to their home country has also been encouraged. Around 900 Syrian citizens have voluntarily left Austria since the beginning of 2022 out of which are 644 voluntary returns since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. In 2024, there were around 100 voluntary departures of Syrians. In 2025, there have been 644 voluntary departures so far. This represents an increase of more than 500 per cent.
The Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum BFA initiated measures to support voluntary departure immediately after the fall of the Assad regime.
Regarding Afghanistan, there have been around 500 removals of Afghan nationals since the beginning of 2022. The majority were Dublin transfers to other EU countries but there were also been more than 180 voluntary departures.
Further removals to Syria are currently in preparation.