April 24, 2026, 3:36 p.mApril 24, 2026, 3:36 p.m
Significantly fewer asylum seekers received protection status in the EU last year. Around 361,325 people received a positive decision in 2025 – a decrease of almost a fifth compared to the previous year (437,735).
This emerges from data from the EU statistics office Eurostat. Germany, with around 103,360 recognitions, issued protection status most often, accounting for 29 percent of all positive decisions in the EU. They were followed by Spain (76,210) and France (72,930). Together, these three countries decided over 70 percent of all positive cases in the EU.
Recognized asylum seekers are often Afghans
Afghans made up the largest group of beneficiaries, with 27 percent of all asylum applications granted in the EU. This was followed by Venezuelans (16 percent) as well as Syrians and Ukrainians (5 percent each).
Of the approved asylum applications, 51 percent were for refugee status under the Geneva Refugee Convention, 25 percent were for humanitarian protection under national law and 24 percent were for subsidiary protection.
The numbers for subsidiary protection – which is often granted to people from active war zones – fell particularly sharply, with a decrease of 50 percent compared to 2024. Last year, the number of asylum applications also fell in general. According to a report by the EU Commission, the decline of almost 20 percent was primarily due to the changed situation in Syria. (sda/dpa)
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