Applications from Syrians are not being processed "until further notice" due to the "complex" situation in Syria, where armed opposition forces have overthrown President Bashar al-Assad.
An unnamed representative of the German authorities explained to the publication that the decision to suspend the processing of documents for Syrians was made on December 9, as it is "too difficult to predict" how events in Syria will unfold.
In total, the German authorities have received 47,270 asylum applications from Syrian citizens.
Spiegel reports that there are ongoing debates in Berlin regarding whether Syrians should remain in Germany. Specifically, some politicians believe that Syrian refugees should return to their homeland.
The Austrian publication Kronen Zeitung reports today, citing government sources, that Vienna has also suspended processing asylum applications from Syrians. Journalists note that this order was issued by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on December 9.
According to Kronen Zeitung, approximately 95,000 Syrians reside in Austria, and around 12,400 Syrian citizens submitted asylum applications in 2024.
"Meduza" reports that similar decisions regarding Syrian citizens have also been made in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Greece.