| Statistics Summary |
|---|
| ➥ In 2025, the EU recorded 669,365 first-time asylum applicants, a 26.6% decrease compared to 2024. ➥ The total number of asylum applications reached 797,760. ➥ Subsequent applications increased by 51.3%, showing more repeat requests. ➥ The main countries of origin were Venezuela (the largest share), Afghanistan, and Syria. ➥ Five EU countries handled the majority of applications, which are Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Greece. Together, they accounted for over 80% of all applications. ➥ At the end of 2025, over 1.2 million asylum cases were still pending in the EU. ➥ On average, there were 1.5 asylum applicants per 1,000 people across the EU. |
The European countries saw a sharp 27% decrese in the number of first-time asylum applications submitted last year. This article explains the most recent developments in the number of asylum applicants in the European Union, based on data from Eurostat.
Asylum is a form of international protection granted by a country to individuals who cannot return to their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. This may be based on reasons such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group.
Main Trends in Asylum Applications
In 2025, 669,365 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in EU countries. This represents a decrease of 26.6% compared with 2024, when 912,425 applications were recorded.
First-time applicants accounted for 83.9% of the total number of asylum applicants, which reached 797,760 in 2025.
In addition, there were 127,340 subsequent applications, meaning applications submitted again after a previous decision. This figure increased by 51.3% compared with 2024. Across the EU, this corresponds to 1.5 first-time applicants per 1,000 people.
Where Asylum Seekers Apply
In 2025, the distribution of first-time asylum applications across EU countries remained highly concentrated. Moreover, the highest number of applications was recorded in:
- Spain: 141,035 (21.1% of the EU total)
- Italy: 126,635 (18.9%)
- France: 116,370 (17.4%)
- Germany: 113,170 (16.9%)
- Greece: 55,380 (8.3%)
Together, these five countries accounted for 82.6% of all first-time asylum applicants in the EU.
When comparing the number of applicants to the population size of each country:
- Greece recorded the highest rate, with 5.3 applicants per 1,000 people
- Cyprus and Spain followed with 2.9 each
- Luxembourg recorded 2.6, and Ireland 2.4
Changes Compared with 2024
Compared with the previous year, the number of first-time asylum applicants decreased in 24 EU countries. The largest absolute decreases were observed in:
- Germany: -116,525 applicants (-50.7%)
- Italy: -24,485 (-16.2%)
- Spain: -24,400 (-14.7%)
Only three EU countries recorded increases. The largest increase was observed in Latvia, with +490 applicants (+61.3%).
Countries of Origin of Asylum Seekers
In 2025, Venezuela became the main country of origin of asylum seekers in the EU, with 89,455 applications, accounting for 13.4% of the total. This also means that Venezuela overtook Syria, which had been the main country of origin since 2013. This was followed by:
- Afghanistan: 63,830 (9.5%)
- Syria: 39,985 (6.0%)
- Bangladesh: 35,300 (5.3%)
- Türkiye: 24,205 (3.6%)
Furthermore, among the 15 most common citizenships:
- The largest increase was observed for Venezuelans (+16,525; +22.7%)
- The largest decreases were recorded for:
- Syrians (-108,175; -73.0%)
- Colombians (-29,480; -58.6%)
- Turks (-22,625; -48.3%)
In terms of distribution:
- Most Venezuelan applicants were registered in Spain (94.2%)
- Most Bangladeshi applicants were registered in Italy (77.8%)
- Most Syrian (58.2%) and Afghan (37.6%) applicants were registered in Germany
Syrian citizens were the largest group in 6 EU countries, while Ukrainians and Afghans were the largest groups in 4 countries each.
Demographic Characteristics
In 2025, more men than women applied for asylum in the EU.
- Men aged 18–34 accounted for 36.2% of all first-time applicants
- Among children under 14 years, the proportions were similar:
- Boys: 50.9%
- Girls: 49.1%
- Among those aged 14–17 years:
- Boys represented 69.5%
- Girls represented 30.5%
Applications by Unaccompanied Minors
In 2025, 21,125 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time. This represents a decrease of 38.9% compared with 2024 (34,595). The highest numbers were recorded in:
- Germany: 4,925 (23.3%)
- Netherlands: 3,615 (17.1%)
- Spain: 3,210 (15.2%)
- Greece: 3,030 (14.3%)
- Belgium: 1,615 (7.6%)
Compared with 2024:
- The number decreased in 18 EU countries
- Largest decreases:
- Germany: -8,420 (-63.1%)
- Bulgaria: -2,030 (-78.1%)
- Greece: -1,640 (-35.1%)
- Among countries with increases, Spain recorded the largest rise:
- +21,300 (+252.7%)
The main countries of origin for unaccompanied minors were:
- Afghanistan (12.7%)
- Eritrea (11.1%)
- Syria (11.0%)
- Egypt (10.9%)
- Somalia (10.8%)
Accelerated Procedures
In 2025, 124,150 asylum applications were processed under accelerated procedures. This represents an increase of 21.1% compared with 2024. The highest numbers were recorded in:
- France: 56,790
- Italy: 43,755
- Greece: 13,200
Reception Conditions
According to the latest available data (end of 2024), 573,890 applicants were receiving material reception conditions in the EU. The highest numbers were recorded in:
- France: 137,445
- Italy: 129,635
Pending Applications
At the end of December 2025, 1,219,390 asylum applications were still under consideration in EU countries. This represents a decrease of 2.2% compared with December 2024. The largest numbers were recorded in:
- Germany: 306,590 (25.1%)
- Spain: 248,740 (20.4%)
- Italy: 234,165 (19.2%)
- France: 153,090 (12.6%)
These four countries together accounted for 77.3% of all pending cases.
Withdrawn Applications
In 2025, 103,595 asylum applications were withdrawn across the EU. The highest numbers were recorded in:
- Germany: 20,175
- Spain: 17,590
- Croatia: 17,330
Two types of withdrawals are distinguished:
- Explicit withdrawal: the applicant formally withdraws the application
- Implicit withdrawal: the case is closed because it is considered abandoned
In most EU countries, withdrawals were mainly implicit. The highest shares were recorded in:
- Austria and Hungary (100%)
- Spain (99.1%)
- Croatia (98.5%)
- Slovenia (97.6%)
- Greece (94.2%)
Explicit withdrawals were more common in:
- Estonia (100%)
- Ireland (90.5%)
- France (87.0%)
Expert Opinion About These Trends
We asked a Germany-based immigration expert about these trends, and he said:
The developments in 2025 point to a changing, but not easing, asylum situation in the European Union. While fewer people applied for protection for the first time, the rise in repeat applications and the high number of pending cases suggest that the system continues to face ongoing demands.
At the same time, shifts in countries of origin, particularly the rise in applicants from Venezuela and the decline from Syria, highlight how global events continue to shape migration patterns.
The data shows that asylum in the EU is not simply a matter of rising or falling numbers. It is a complex process influenced by political, social, and humanitarian factors, requiring consistent attention and balanced management from European countries.
Files from Eurostat, Europa.eu, and Schengenvisa.news