Germany Drops from Top Spot in EU Asylum Applications

According to new data published by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), as of the end of June 2025, France (78,000) and Spain (77,000) received more asylum applications than Germany (70,000), which in recent years had been the main destination for asylum seekers.

By the end of June 2025, a total of 399,000 asylum applications were filed in EU countries as well as Norway and Switzerland. This represents a 23% decrease compared to the first half of 2024. Germany recorded the sharpest decline with a 43% drop compared to the same period last year, followed by Italy (-25%) and Spain (-13%). In contrast, the number of applications in France remained roughly the same. Together, these four countries accounted for about three-quarters of all asylum applications in the EU.

📌 While applications from Syrians decreased significantly, Venezuela — where former U.S. President Trump has imposed strict migration policies — has now become the main country of origin for asylum seekers.

In 2025, Venezuelans filed a significant number of asylum applications: approximately 49,000, nearly one-third more than the previous year.

Venezuelans can enter Europe without a visa and stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days with only a passport.

Spain remains the primary destination for Venezuelans, receiving 93% of applications, largely due to the shared language and an existing diaspora community.

Source: Euronews