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Syria → Netherlands

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Syria
To
Netherlands
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
19,551
Change since 2018
+269.9%
Share of all arrivals in the Netherlands, 2023
6.76%
Inflow 202319,551OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from Syria to the Netherlands

Inflows of nationals of Syria recorded by the Netherlands; stock of nationals of Syria living there; and acquisitions of the Netherlands' nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

13k25k200020032006200920122015201820212023
13k25k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000112
2001118
2002121
200392
200466
200567
200648
200746
200865
200980
2010101
201190
2012134
2013576
20146,860
201517,273
201625,130
201715,319
20185,285
20195,680
20205,749
202111,890
202217,079
202319,551
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—69,179—
202319,55160,11211,439
202217,07957,04314,937
202111,89071,20127,040
20205,74979,45115,898
20195,68074,0841,587
20185,28567,525214
201715,31951,42494
201625,13025,44386
201517,2738,173210
20146,8601,367235
2013576846236
2012134641126
20119058482
201010157380
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in Syria who live in the Netherlands: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

77k153k19901995200020052010201520202024
77k153k19902000201020202024
Data table
19901,571
19952,540
20004,493
20056,674
20107,027
201526,792
202094,377
2024153,160
Estimate, 2024
153,160
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
5.2%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
5
Counted by
country of birth, refugees added
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

The Netherlands' consulates in Syria

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at the Netherlands' consulates located in Syria.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
2016110—
2012180725228.9%
20111,37779339828.9%
20101,60695345128.1%
20091,48178747131.8%

Applications by year

8031,60620092010201120122016
8031,60620092010201120122016
Data table
20091,481
20101,606
20111,377
2012180
20161
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in the Netherlands

First residence permits issued by the Netherlands to citizens of Syria (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Other reasons12,497
  2. Family5,184
  3. Work32
  4. Education25
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
202517,738000
202424,62819,5860
202318,214011,4390
202218,294014,9370
202112,740127,0400
20208,032015,8980
20196,86512,468937
20187,3020582471
201717,02212400
201623,612120558
201517,665077832
20148,474033114
20132,167027412
201269802020
20111140820
20102050800
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities17
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)11
  3. Researchers3
  4. EU Blue Card1
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
91,563
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
8,764
Changed status into work, 2025
13
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Netherlands: national statistics office

Immigrants with the nationality of Syria arriving in the Netherlands, by migration motive; only nationalities from outside the EU/EFTA are covered (Statistics Netherlands).

YearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
202527,590165956,70520,61015
202425,79535253,10522,62010
202319,59040351,83017,67015
202217,13550202,52514,5355
202111,88535451,00010,8005
20205,79015105105,2550
20195,69020254705,1705
20185,29015257604,4855
201715,35015202,05513,2555
201625,120151566524,4205
201517,435102033017,05520
20146,9851015756,86520
201377510104067540
2012165155505540
2011100510651010
2010110510701510

All by year

14k28k20052007200920112013201520172019202120232025
14k28k200520092013201720212025
Data table
200570
200660
200750
200895
200985
2010110
2011100
2012165
2013775
20146,985
201517,435
201625,120
201715,350
20185,290
20195,690
20205,790
202111,885
202217,135
202319,590
202425,795
202527,590
Source: CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in the Netherlands, 2023; Syria ranks 3.

Inflows to the Netherlands, 2023
  1. Ukraine38,497
  2. Poland25,298
  3. Syria19,551
  4. Romania13,914
  5. Bulgaria12,328
  6. India12,073
  7. Türkiye11,250
  8. Italy10,603
  9. Spain10,447
  10. Germany10,429
  11. China7,991
  12. Portugal6,084
Other destinations for people from Syria, 2023
  1. Germany128,742
  2. Austria15,246
  3. Canada9,345
  4. Belgium5,496
  5. United States4,250
  6. France3,381
  7. Türkiye3,330
  8. Norway3,116
  9. Sweden2,515
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more