New asylum applications in the EU decreased by 27% in 2025

EU member states received approximately 669,400 first-time asylum applications from non-EU citizens in 2025, a decrease of 27% compared to the previous year.

In short

669,365 non-EU citizens applied for asylum for the first time in EU member states in 2025.

Venezuela became the main country of origin for asylum seekers, with 89,455 applications, surpassing Syria.

Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Greece accounted for 82.6% of new asylum applications in the EU.

Applications submitted by unaccompanied minors decreased by 38.9%, down to 21,125.

By the end of 2025, over 1.2 million international protection applications were still under review at the EU level.

The number of first-time asylum seekers in EU member states decreased from 912,425 in 2024 to 669,365 in 2025, according to Eurostat data extracted on March 16, 2026. The decrease is 26.6%, rounded to 27% in the European Commission's communication.

First-time applicants represented 83.9% of the total 797,760 registered asylum seekers in the EU in 2025.

Subsequent applications evolved in the opposite direction. Member states recorded 127,340 subsequent asylum seekers, an increase of 51.3% compared to 84,160 in 2024.

Venezuela became the main nationality of first-time asylum seekers in the EU, with 89,455 applications, representing 13.4% of the European total. Syria had been the main country of origin for asylum seekers in the EU since 2013.

Afghanistan ranked second in 2025, with 63,830 applications, accounting for 9.5% of the EU total. Syria dropped to third place, with 39,985 applications, equivalent to 6% of the total.

Bangladesh followed with 35,300 applications, representing 5.3% of the total, and Turkey with 24,205 applications, representing 3.6%.

Among the 15 most common nationalities of first-time asylum seekers, the largest absolute increase was recorded for Venezuelans, with 16,525 additional applications compared to 2024, representing a 22.7% increase.

The number of applications submitted by Syrian citizens decreased by 108,175, equivalent to a reduction of 73% compared to 2024. Applications submitted by Colombians decreased by 29,480, and those submitted by Turkish citizens by 22,625.

Spain received the most first-time asylum applications in 2025, with 141,035 applicants, representing 21.1% of the EU total.

Italy followed with 126,635 applications, or 18.9% of the total. France received 116,370 applications, Germany 113,170, and Greece 55,380.

Together, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Greece accounted for 82.6% of all first-time asylum applications submitted in EU member states in 2025.

Compared to 2024, the number of first-time applications decreased in 24 member states. The largest absolute decreases were recorded in Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Germany reported 116,525 fewer applicants than in 2024, a reduction of 50.7%. Italy recorded a decrease of 24,485 applicants, or 16.2%, while Spain saw a decrease of 24,400, equivalent to 14.7%.

Three member states recorded increases compared to 2024. The largest percentage increase was in Latvia, with 490 additional applicants, or 61.3%.

Relative to population, Greece recorded the highest rate in the EU, with 5.3 first-time asylum seekers per 1,000 inhabitants.

Cyprus and Spain followed with 2.9 applicants per 1,000 inhabitants each. Luxembourg recorded 2.6, and Ireland 2.4. The EU average was 1.5 first-time asylum seekers per 1,000 inhabitants.

In 2025, 21,125 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in EU member states, a decrease of 38.9% compared to 34,595 in 2024.

Germany received the most applications from unaccompanied minors, 4,925, representing 23.3% of the EU total. The Netherlands recorded 3,615 applications, Spain 3,210, Greece 3,030, and Belgium 1,615.

Afghans were the largest group of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the EU, with 2,690 applications, representing 12.7% of the total. They were followed by Eritreans, with 2,345 applications, Syrians, with 2,330, Egyptians, with 2,295, and Somalis, with 2,290.

In the same year, member states recorded 124,150 asylum applications in accelerated procedures, an increase of 21.1% compared to 102,535 in 2024.

France had the highest number of applications processed in accelerated procedures, 56,790. Italy followed with 43,755, and Greece with 13,200.

By the end of December 2025, 1,219,390 international protection applications were still under review at the EU member states level. The number was 2.2% lower than in December 2024, when 1,247,100 pending applications were recorded.

Germany continued to have the highest number of applications under review, 306,590, representing 25.1% of the EU total. Spain had 248,740 pending applications, Italy 234,165, and France 153,090.

Together, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France accounted for 77.3% of all international protection applications under review at the end of 2025.

Member states also recorded 103,595 withdrawn asylum applications in 2025. The most withdrawals were in Germany, 20,175, followed by Spain, with 17,590, and Croatia, with 17,330.

Withdrawals can be explicit, when the applicant formally withdraws their application, or implicit, when authorities close the case because the application is considered abandoned. In most member states, most withdrawals were implicit.

Eurostat data refers to citizens of third countries, including stateless persons, who seek international protection in the EU. Asylum seekers are individuals who have submitted an asylum application and whose case is being processed by the competent authority.

Statistics on asylum applications are reported monthly to Eurostat by statistical authorities, interior ministries, or national immigration agencies from member states.

For 2025, some data are provisional, including several statistical series for Spain. Data are rounded to the nearest multiple of five, and calculations were made based on these rounded values.

The common European framework in the field of asylum is based on the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees, amended by the 1967 New York Protocol. Since 1999, the EU has been working to build a common European asylum regime.

The Pact on Migration and Asylum was adopted by the European Parliament in April 2024 and by the Council in May 2024. The legislative package aims for a common management of migration, with solidarity mechanisms among member states, common procedures, and tools for crisis situations.

The Pact includes legislative acts on the management of asylum and migration, the common procedure for international protection, crisis situations, Eurodac, screening at external borders, qualification of beneficiaries of international protection, reception conditions, and the European framework for relocation and humanitarian admission.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/cererile-noi-de-azil-in-ue-au-scazut-cu-27-in-2025