Thousands of Bulgarians and Romanians Leave Germany For Home

Thousands of Bulgarians and Romanians leave Germany to return to their home countries.

According to the German edition of The Local, which obtained data from the German Federal Statistics Office, in the last two years around 200 000 Bulgarians and Romanians have left Germany.

In spite the lifting of the last restrictions for the citizens of the two countries on January 1, 2014, the number of Bulgarians and Romanians returning to their home countries grows faster than the number of those who emigrate to Germany.

The figures show that departures to Bulgaria in the first three quarters of 2013 grew by 11%, year-on-year. Migration from Germany to Romania in the same period went up 20%.

Figures for the final quarter of 2013 are not expected until May.

If the number of people leaving Germany for Bulgaria and Romania are taken into account, the net total of new Bulgarian immigrants dropped by 10.5% on the previous year, from 21 394 to 19 143. The net figure for immigration from Romania increased by 9% between 2012 and 2013 – from 41 684 to 45 484.

Dr Jochen Oltmer, Professor at Osnabr?ck University's Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies, told The Local that the accelerating emigration was not unexpected.

He said most Bulgarians and Romanians in the country stay no longer than a few years which accounts for some fluctuations in migration rates.

Many are students who come over for "a couple of semesters", or professionals for a few years' work experience, before returning home, he explained.

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