Since 2017, the REAG/GARP programme has been supplemented by the StarthilfePlus programme, which provides reintegration assistance to returnees in over 40 countries of origin.
A prerequisite for the granting of this additional support is that a voluntary return with the REAG/GARP programme is approved. Benefits depend on nationality. There is no entitlement to support.
As of May 01, 2023, the JRS program will be expanded to include 12 additional target countries: Jordan, Cameroon, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Dem. Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Nepal, Palestinian Territories, Serbia, Somaliland, Tajikistan, Tunisia. The use of JRS assistance leads to adjustments in destination countries where SHP benefits are already provided. These are the countries: Dem. Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Cameroon, Kenya, Serbia, Tunisia and Tajikistan. Corresponding adjustments to these 6 countries will be made analogous to the adjustments made in the past. The changes will be effective for departures from 01 May 2023.
Financial support in the target country (2nd start-up assistance)
Migrants of following countries, who voluntarily return with IOM under the REAG/GARP-Programme and receive financial start-up assistance, can get additional reintegration assistance for the following countries: Algeria*, Armenia*, Bangladesh*, Benin, Burkina Faso, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt*, Ethiopia, The Gambia*, Ghana*, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, India, Iraq*, Cameroon, Kenya, Mali, Mongolia*, Morocco*, Niger, Nigeria*, Pakistan*, Russian Federation, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka*, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey*, Viet Nam*.
From 2023, the funding amounts in selected StarthilfePlus target countries (marked with*) will be lower, since funding services are offered as part of the JRS ("Joint Reintegration Services") in these respective countries. Exception: In the case of vulnerability according to defined criteria and/or residence according to §§ 22-26 AufenthG, the regular funding amounts apply. This exemption only applies to component “2. Start-up assistance in the target country”.
Reintegration in the area of housing
Voluntary returnees who leave the country with the REAG/GARP programme and receive start-up assistance can receive additional reintegration support in the area of housing in the following target countries: Azerbaijan, Iran, Lebanon, Tajikistan.
Reintegration for people with long-term toleration (level D)
Migrants returning to their country of origin through the REAG/GARP-Programme and having been tolerated to stay in Germany for at least two years may receive a one time financial assistance as well as, if necessary, supplementary reintegration support as a benefit in kind in the areas of housing and medical costs: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, Serbia
For the target countries Albania, Georgia, Moldova and North Macedonia, reintegration support is limited to one-off financial support, since reintegration support within the framework of JRS will be available in these target countries as from 1 January, 2023.
Based on REAG/GARP, the reintegration support services mentioned are carried out by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the federal government. Information sheets, a country overview of the nationwide return programmes and the documents to be sent to IOM by the application-transmitting offices are available in the login area.