Asylum Report 2026 - Executive summary

Number of applications for international protection in EU+ countries, 2015-2025

In 2025, the number of asylum applications lodged in EU+ countries declined for a second year in a row to 822,000 (see Figure 1). This was a drop by one-fifth compared to 2024, the lowest total since 2021. Germany remained the main receiving country (163,000 applications), although at a far lower level than in 2024 (down by almost one-third), followed by France (152,000), Spain (143,000) and Italy (134,000).

When considering asylum applications in relation to population size, on average about 1,800 applications per 1 million inhabitants were lodged across EU+ countries. Greece and Cyprus had the most asylum applicants per 1 million inhabitants (5,900 and 4,500, respectively). They were followed at a distance by Spain, Belgium and Switzerland (approximately 2,900 each).

Applications in 2025 were concentrated among a limited number of nationalities. The five largest groups were citizens of Afghanistan (14% of all applications), Venezuela (11%), Syria (5%), Bangladesh (4%) and Türkiye (4%).

The number of repeated applications rose by 39% compared to 2024, reaching a record level. They represented 15% of all asylum applications in 2025, the highest share on record. This could be plausibly attributed to a CJEU judgment in October 2024 that gender and nationality were sufficient for Afghan women to be at risk of acts of persecution, which led to a surge in repeated applications by Afghans.

Nationals of countries with low recognition rates lodged a growing share of asylum applications in 2025, representing over one-half of the total number of applications. Under the Pact rules, as of June 2026, in certain circumstances defined under the APR, Article 43(1), citizens of countries with low recognition rates (falling below 20%) will be subject to the mandatory border procedure.

Throughout the year, EU+ countries worked with the European Commission and EU Agencies to modernise IT capacity at the borders, including securing the technical, operational and administrative resources for the functioning of the new Eurodac system. To prepare for the seamless and harmonious functioning of screening, the asylum border procedure and the return border procedure, national authorities continued legislative work and practical preparations, including by building needed facilities, ensuring adequate capacity, developing guidance and practical tools, and providing training to professionals who will implement the news procedures.

In responding to mixed migratory pressures and security challenges at external borders, EU+ countries continued to focus on border management and maintained stricter protection regimes, risking at times effective access to the territory and the asylum procedure for people who may be in need of protection. Such practices have been often scrutinised by international and civil society organisations, as well as judicial institutions, which have addressed reported incidents of mistreatment, alleged pushbacks and summary returns, and measures taken by national authorities against civil society organisations performing search and rescue activities.