Ministry of Home Affairs presents new concept for voluntary return

Until now, asylum seekers were only offered the option of voluntary return once their asylum applications had been definitively rejected. In the future, however, this option will be discussed from the very beginning, according to Home Affairs Minister Léon Gloden. The ministry hopes that in this way more asylum seekers will be encouraged to return home.

This applies to individuals whose applications for international protection in Luxembourg have been refused or whose procedures are still ongoing. The same applies to people living in Luxembourg without a residence permit. Assistance will also be provided to them should they wish to return to their home country.

Once a person arrives into the country, they will be presented with two different procedures. The minister explains:
"Asylum seekers will be simultaneously guided through the asylum option as well as the voluntary return option by two sets of agents. The agents will explain what the procedures mean, what the process will look like, what kind of help can be offered as well as how the individual can be looked after should they decide to return to their home country."

Both procedures will be treated separately. Six agents will be exclusively dealing with those seeking or considering voluntary return. The main goal for the newly proposed system is to assure that concerned individuals know their rights and obligations at every stage of the process, for both procedures, Minister Gloden explained. Both procedures should be handled separately so as to assure that concerned individuals feel no hesitation in fully exploring the option of voluntary return.

Support and incentives for returnees

Before people are returned to their home country or another safe country, a plan is developed to help them find their feet once there. "These people must be given a real perspective. We cannot simply encourage someone to return voluntarily, have them arrive in their country, and then find themselves in the same situation as when they left. That is not the policy we want. People must be supported so that they can truly rebuild a life there", Gloden continued.

Depending on the person's family situation, a financial incentive of up to €6,000 is offered for those who return within the designated time frame. After an asylum request is refused, individuals have 30 days to leave the refugee accommodation. "If someone leaves within those 30 days, they can receive between €3,900 and €6,000", the minister explained. "If it takes longer, the amounts may be adjusted accordingly. Of course, this also depends on the person’s status: Are they single, do they have a family, or are they a couple? For vulnerable individuals, an additional amount is provided", the minister explained.

In preparing individuals for life back in their home countries, Luxembourg collaborates with the International Organisation for Migration and Frontex’s Reintegration Programme.

Last year, 274 people voluntarily returned to 54 different countries. By September of this year, 200 people from 45 countries had already chosen this option, while 83 people were forcibly returned. In 2024, more than 100 people were returned against their will. Last year, just over 1000 people were granted legal status in Luxembourg, while around 500 applications were rejected. These numbers have remained relatively stable over the past few years.

Those that were not granted asylum in the Grand Duchy have often viewed the option of voluntary return very negatively, the minister said. One reason for this, he explained, is that the option was only discussed after the asylum request had been definitively rejected. This is where Friday's new concept of voluntary return comes into play.