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The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has just published two Country of Origin Information (COI) reports on Syria. With them, the Agency provides an update on the situation in Syria with a focus on developments between October 2025 and May 2026. The reports examine the security and socio-economic situation in the country and review the latest political and human rights developments, including the treatment of specific population groups.

More than one year after the fall of the Assad regime, Syria's political transition has been characterised by efforts to consolidate territorial control, reform the security sector and judiciary, and advance transitional justice. The Syrian transitional government expanded its control over most parts of the country, including areas in northeastern Syria. Following a military operation in January 2026, it assumed control of large areas previously held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and concluded an agreement providing for the phased integration of the SDF into state institutions. Meanwhile, the Druze-majority Sweida governorate remained largely outside government control, amid calls for self-determination, internal rivalries among Druze factions, and recurrent violence.

Compared to the fragility and instability that followed the fall of the Assad regime, the security situation showed signs of gradual improvement during the reference period, with lower levels of direct conflict-related violence, except for hostilities in northeast Syria in January 2026. However, security challenges remain, particularly related to retaliatory, communal and sectarian violence, continued ISIL activity, Israeli military operations in southern Syria, and rising criminality.

Minority communities continued to face security threats, including killings and kidnappings by local armed groups or unknown individuals. Slow progress on transitional justice has also contributed to vigilante violence against individuals perceived to be associated with the former Assad regime.

Despite the lifting of international sanctions, government reforms aimed at liberalising the economy, and increases in public sector salaries, economic conditions remained severe. High inflation, widespread unemployment, and declining purchasing power continued to have a significant impact on daily life. Around four in five Syrians live below the poverty line, while 15.6 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance.

Since December 2024, more than 1.6 million Syrian refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced persons returned to their areas of origin. However, damaged infrastructure, a deteriorating economy, limited access to essential services, and a lack of livelihood opportunities continue to pose significant challenges to sustainable return.

EU Asylum situation for Syrian nationals

Between October 2025 and May 2026, Syrian nationals lodged around 17,300 applications for international protection in the EU+, almost all of them first-time applications. Applications continued to decline following the sharp decrease recorded after the collapse of the Assad regime, with Syrians falling from the third-largest applicant nationality in 2025 to sixth in 2026. Germany remained the main receiving country, accounting for more than 40% of applications.

During the same period, EU+ countries issued around 57,000 first-instance decisions on Syrian applications, with an overall recognition rate of 21%. Recognition rates continued to vary significantly across Member States.

The Latest Asylum Trends for applicants from Syria, as well as other countries of origin, are available on the EUAA website.