Decision on the country admission regulation

Resolution of the State Advisory Council for Participation dated 08.07.2024

The State Advisory Council for Participation has decided:

Extension of the country reception regime for refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan with relatives in Berlin

The Senate Department for Home Affairs and Sport of the State of Berlin is called upon to extend the country reception regime for refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan with relatives in Berlin beyond 2024.

Justification

Since 2014, this country admission scheme has been almost the only opportunity for refugees from the three countries mentioned above to catch up with their first or second degree family members here by means of a declaration of commitment.

The country admission regime allows Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan relatives to move to Berlin if a “obligor” living in Germany exempts the state from any costs. The program expires on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

There are families in these war zones or unsafe countries who can come to Berlin immediately. We have citizens who want to take in these people at their own expense. To do this, the admission regime must be extended beyond 2024 for humanitarian reasons. That is a requirement of humanity. The people there have no more time. These people need protection and Berlin must do everything it can to fulfill its humanitarian obligation to help people in need.