Germany in third place for asylum applications
For the first time in many years, Germany is no longer the most important destination country for asylum seekers. With around 70,000 applications, Germany is behind France (78,000) and Spain (77,000). Italy registered 64,000 new asylum applications.
In addition to these countries, the following countries recorded the most asylum applications: Greece (27,000), Belgium (18,000), Switzerland (12,000), the Netherlands (11,000), Austria (9,000) and Poland (8,000).
Overall, Germany reported the sharpest decline in asylum applications: down 43 percent compared to the previous year.
Syria no longer the main country of origin
For ten years, Syrians were the largest group of asylum seekers in the EU. However, the picture has changed since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. In the first half of 2025, their number fell sharply - to around 25,000 applications, two thirds fewer than in the previous year.
Most new asylum seekers came from Venezuela (49,000), followed by Afghanistan (42,000), Syria, Bangladesh (17,000) and Turkey (16,500). Almost 16,000 asylum applications were submitted by people from Ukraine.
Fewer asylum applications are granted
The trend in the recognition of asylum applications is particularly drastic: Only one in four applications (25 percent) was approved in the first half of 2025 - the lowest figure ever recorded by the EUAA.
One reason: in the past, Syrian asylum seekers have received an above-average number of positive decisions due to the political situation in their home country. However, following the change of power in Damascus, many EU states have temporarily suspended procedures for Syrians until there is more clarity about the current security situation.
There are currently over 900,000 applications across Europe still awaiting a decision at first instance. Including ongoing appeals, around 1.3 million decisions are still pending in 29 countries.
New EU asylum reform likely to further reduce numbers
The decline in asylum numbers is assessed differently in Brussels and the member states. While the EUAA attributes the decline primarily to the changed situation in Syria, the EU Commission emphasizes the role of the new asylum and migration pact.
The new EU asylum law was adopted in spring 2024. All EU member states must transpose the requirements into national law by June 2026. In Germany, the Federal Cabinet passed the corresponding draft law on September 4, 2025. The Bundestag still has to approve it before it comes into force.
This is what the EU asylum reform provides for
The reform includes the following changes, which also affect asylum seekers in Germany:
- Asylum and border procedures: Applications for asylum are to be examined directly at the EU's external borders, airports and seaports. In the event of rejection, repatriation can take place within 12 weeks.
- Screening and EURODAC: All persons entering the country irregularly undergo identity, health and security checks. Their biometric data is stored in the EU-wide EURODAC database.
- Safe third countries: The federal government can classify countries as "safe" without the prior approval of the Bundestag and Bundesrat. For applicants from the countries concerned, this means faster procedures and lower chances of asylum.
- Solidarity mechanism: EU states support each other - e.g. by taking in asylum seekers, providing financial assistance and other measures.
- Freedom of movement & detention: If there is a risk of absconding or violations of asylum requirements, freedom of movement may be restricted or detention ordered.
- Benefit cuts: Anyone who disregards rules in accommodation or ignores reporting obligations must expect their financial support to be cut.
- Access to the labor market: Asylum seekers are allowed to work after 6 months at the latest, usually after 3 months - with the exception of persons from safe countries of origin, Dublin cases or cases of asylum abuse.
The declared aim of the reform is to further reduce the number of arrivals of asylum seekers in the EU, to carry out more asylum procedures at the EU's external borders and to restrict the mobility of asylum seekers within the EU.
