Welcome back?

Reasons for emigration and potential for return migration

Rötliche Grafik mit Pfeilen in unterschiedliche Richtungen rund um eine Deutschlandkarte in der Mitte. Auf den Pfeilen laufen Personen. — Creator: Christina S. Zhu

In light of demographic change and the increasing shortage of skilled workers and labour, managing immigration plays a central role. However, incentives alone do not suffice because migration decisions are often reversible. Statistics from the Federal Statistical Office show that between 2015 and 2022 a total of almost twelve million people migrated to Germany, but, in turn, over seven million immigrants also emigrated again (Federal Statistical Office 2023).

The “Welcome back?” study is the first to comprehensively analyse the migration decisions of EU and third-country nationals who have left Germany again. It sheds light on the complex motives for emigration – from career prospects right through to social and structural challenges – and examines under which conditions a return would be attractive for these people.

The presentation introducing the study results can be found here: Download (PDF, German only).

Welcome back?

reasons for emigration and potential for return migration among EU and third-country nationals who have emigrated from Germany

Loschert, Franziska ; Leisenheimer, Marlene ; Komitowski, Doritt | Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, September 2026

Understanding emigration - shaping return

[Berlin] : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, September 2026

Download publication (PDF)

Challenges and fields of action

Many of the emigrants were dissatisfied with their social life in Germany and reported a lack of connection and weak sense of belonging, even with stable labour market integration.

Professional success does not automatically lead to social participation – highly qualified migrants in particular leave Germany if they were dissatisfied with their social life there.

The new destination countries present them with both a distinct welcoming culture and attractive working conditions.

The participation experiences of partners and children strongly influence decisions to stay; family orientation has been absent from many measures to date.

Especially if they would have originally liked to stay longer in Germany. Language skills, familiarity with the system and personal ties can facilitate return – if the framework conditions are right. Yet, a lack of prospects and support deter many from doing so.

People who know Germany, are qualified, and want to come back are an important target group – yet they have scarcely been addressed strategically by politicians to date.

The prevention of emigration and winning back of former immigrants must be considered together – on an equal footing, sustainably and socially.