Key Trends and Impact on Major Receiving Countries
In the first half of 2025, the European Union (EU) received approximately 399,000 asylum applications, marking a 23% decrease from the previous year, according to data released by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) on Monday. France and Spain accounted for the majority of these cases, with 20% and 19%, respectively.
France and Spain Surpass Germany in Asylum Applications
With these figures, France (78,000) and Spain (77,000) have surpassed Germany as the countries receiving the most asylum applications. Germany, which has held this position for a decade, now ranks third due to the significant increase in Venezuelan applications (+31%) and the decrease in Syrian applications (-66%) following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Venezuelan Applications Drive the Shift
Other Countries Seeing Increased Applications
Besides Venezuelans, other nationalities also saw an increase in applications. Ukrainians submitted 16,000 cases. However, the top five nationalities with the highest number of applications in H1 2025 were Afghans (despite a downward trend), Syrians (25,000), Bangladeshis (17,000), and Turks (17,000).
Impact on Other Receiving Countries
Following France, Spain, and Germany, Italy (64,000) and Greece (27,000) received the most asylum applications in H1 2025. Although France’s application percentage remained stable, the number of applications in other countries decreased compared to the same period in 2024, with a 13% reduction in Spain.
Pending Cases and Recognition Rates
The EASO also noted that most applications were submitted by nationals with low recognition rates in the EU. As of June 2025, there were 918,000 pending cases at the first instance.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main reason for the decrease in asylum applications in the EU? The primary factor is the significant increase in Venezuelan applications and the decrease in Syrian applications following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
- Which countries received the most asylum applications in H1 2025? France (78,000), Spain (77,000), Italy (64,000), and Greece (27,000) received the highest number of asylum applications.
- Why have France and Spain surpassed Germany in asylum applications? The shift is mainly due to the substantial rise in Venezuelan asylum applications in Spain, while Germany experienced a decline in Syrian applications.
- What makes Venezuelan applications more prevalent in Spain? Factors include linguistic ties, existing diaspora, Spanish authorities’ tendency to grant national protection, and visa-free travel for short stays within the Schengen area.
