EU asylum applications drop 19% in 2025

The European Union recorded a 19% decline in asylum applications in 2025, falling to 822,000, according to the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) report released on 9 June 2026. Authorities accelerated procedures and reduced backlogs in preparation for the new Migration and Asylum Pact.

The report notes that the drop coincides with ongoing geopolitical shifts: the Russian invasion of Ukraine entered its fifth year, with about 4.5 million Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU, while applications from Syria fell 72% due to developments in that country. The EU also introduced its first list of safe countries of origin, effective 2026, to speed up and standardise assessments.

EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Mágus Brüner said, “Our commitment to partner countries and increased stability in key regions has led to a further 19% reduction in asylum applications. Member states are using this momentum to clear backlogs and strengthen reception systems.”