Asylum applications in the EU declined in February 2025

According to data released by Eurostat, a total of 59,085 first-time asylum seekers applied for international protection in the European Union in February 2025. This represents a 23% decrease compared with the same month in 2024, when 77,170 applications were recorded, and a 12% drop from January 2025, which saw 66,800 applications.

In addition to first-time applicants, there were 7,630 individuals submitting subsequent asylum claims in February 2025. This figure marks a 6% increase from February 2024, but a 6% decrease compared to January 2025.

The largest group of asylum seekers in February came from Venezuela, with 8,345 first-time applicants. They were followed by nationals of Afghanistan (5,610) and Syria (4,630).

Most applications were concentrated in four EU countries. Spain received the highest number with 12,805 applicants, followed by Germany (11,185), France (10,725), and Italy (10,715). Combined, these four countries accounted for 77% of all first-time asylum applications in the EU during the month.

Relative to population size, the highest rates of first-time asylum applications were recorded in Greece, with 40.2 applicants per 100,000 people, followed by Spain (26.3) and Luxembourg (25.6). The EU average was 13.2 applicants per 100,000 people.

In February 2025, 1,720 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in the EU for the first time. The majority of these children originated from Syria (300), Afghanistan (210), and Egypt (200). Germany received the most applications from unaccompanied minors (575), followed by Spain (330) and Greece (245).