Study on the federal programme StarthilfePlus "Assisted return from Germany" , Date: 2019.12.11, Order number: FFFB34, format: Research report, area: Authority , Initial analyses and findings

Source: BAMF

Research report 34 presents the initial analyses and findings from the research project entitled "Evaluation of the return programme StarthilfePlus". In this project, the Research Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (FOMR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are investigating the motives for return as well as the reintegration of individuals who have been provided with assistance to leave Germany.

In the context of a high number of foreign nationals who are not allowed to stay in Germany due to invalid residence entitlements, the German government introduced the assisted return and reintegration programme StarthilfePlus in 2017. The objective of the programme is to – particularly financially – support the voluntary return of persons obliged to leave the country and persons with limited prospects to receive an asylum or protection status in Germany. The FOMR Research Centre and IOM provide the programmes' monitoring and evaluation. Designed as the first part of a panel study, the research project is part of a long-term research initiative by the FOMR and IOM.

The first research report now presented examines the returnees' perception and personal experiences with the programme. It further focuses on the implications of the assistance on the participants' return decisions and their living situation after return. In total, the data from 1,339 survey respondents from eleven countries was analysed – including Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran. They took part in the quantitative online survey roughly six to eight months after their departure.

The findings of the research report on StarthilfePlus

Returnees are satisfied with the information, counselling and organisation

Returnees who participated in the study are mostly satisfied with the assistance they received. Respondents are positive about the information and counselling they received with respect to the StarthilfePlus programme, the duration from the initial contact with the counselling center until their departure as well as the support they received in organizing their departure. Overall, more than 80 percent of the study participants stated that they were satisfied.

Key return motives are the absence of prospects to stay in Germany and family in the country of return

The absence of long-term prospects to stay in Germany is the most significant motive for interviewees' return. However, the legal situation is rarely the only reason. In most cases, there are several motives that lead to the decision to return. The wish to be close to family and friends in the country of origin plays a key role.

Financial assistance facilitates return decision

The financial assistance received by the StarthilfePlus participants only rarely favours the basic willingness to return. For persons who already consider to return for other reasons but have not yet taken a final decision, the financial assistance can be a significant factor. About 53 percent of all respondents stated that the financial assistance influenced their decision to return.

Return counselling is important for return decisions

In the decision-making process to return, information and counselling play an important role. For the majority of the study participants the counselling is as important as the financial support.

Financial assistance stabilizes in the initial period after return

In the first months after their return, StarthilfePlus participants mainly use the financial assistance to cover their daily needs. This is of utmost importance, because most of the returnees do not earn sufficient income initially after their return. With the provided assistance, they can bridge the economically uncertain period and develop an individual reintegration strategy. The majority of respondents stated that in addition to the financial assistance they would like to receive further reintegration support, employment-related assistance is a major concern.

General satisfaction with life at the place of return

70 percent of the respondents are generally satisfied with their life at the place of return or take a neutral position. Around 30 percent are dissatisfied.

Authors of the research report: Martin Schmitt, Maria Bitterwolf and Tatjana Baraulina

This download is available in other languages, too.

• Begleitstudie zum Programm StarthilfePlus (German)