A short trip to Syria without losing the right to asylum? A European proposal sparks controversy in Austria.
The European Commission is promoting a special legal framework that would allow Syrians with refugee or protection status in the EU to make short visits to their home country without automatically losing their legal status.
The proposal focuses on so-called “go-and-see visits,” short and voluntary trips meant to help refugees assess conditions in Syria before deciding on permanent return. Supporters argue that many Syrians speak about returning but lack reliable information about safety, housing, and the situation of their neighborhoods and schools.
Current legal practice creates major obstacles. Under the Geneva Refugee Convention, voluntary return to the country of origin can be interpreted as accepting protection from that state, which may lead to withdrawal of refugee status. Even contacting consulates or applying for national passports can be seen as proof that protection is no longer needed. People with subsidiary protection have slightly more flexibility, but authorities may still conclude that their right to stay has ended after a visit.
In October 2025, the European Commission published a question-and-answer paper urging member states to establish clear rules ensuring that short visits do not automatically result in loss of protection. Proposals include defining who may travel, how long visits may last, how often they can occur, and how they must be reported. The Commission stressed that travelers would pay their own costs, meaning no public funds would be used.
Figures from the UN refugee agency show the scale of the issue. Surveys indicate that 44 percent of Syrians in EU countries could imagine making an exploratory visit, while 88 percent do not plan to leave their host countries within the next year due to fear of losing residence rights. Legal uncertainty, therefore, discourages even those seriously considering return from testing conditions on the ground.
In Austria, where more than 100,000 Syrians live, the issue has become politically charged. The Green Party submitted a motion supporting such visits, but debate was postponed in the interior committee. The Social Democratic Party warned of possible legal conflicts at EU level, while the Freedom Party argued the proposal could undermine sovereignty and legal order. The Interior Ministry, led by the People’s Party, showed cautious openness but said the idea makes more sense for Syrians living in neighboring countries such as Jordan than for those traveling from Europe.
Some European states already apply special rules. Denmark allows what it calls a “clarification trip” lasting four to eight weeks at the traveler’s own expense. France issues special travel documents valid for three months. Germany, however, rejects this approach, arguing that anyone able to travel safely to their home country may no longer need international protection.
The central question remains unresolved: if a person can go to Syria and return without facing danger, should they still qualify for refugee protection? The debate continues between those who view exploratory visits as a practical tool for informed decisions and those who see them as contradicting the very logic of asylum.