Brussels – In January 2025, there were 66,800 asylum applications submitted in the EU, a 25% decrease from January 2024, which saw 87,890 applications. However, this figure reflects an 8% increase compared to December 2024, when 62,075 applications were recorded, according to data released by Eurostat on Tuesday. Notably, Venezuelans have now overtaken Syrians as the largest group of asylum seekers; prior to this, Syrians had consistently been the foremost nationality among first-time applicants since May 2022. Austria has also experienced a sharp decline in applications from Syrian nationals.
In addition, there were 8,080 subsequent asylum applications lodged in the EU during January, marking a 23% rise from December 2024 (6,560) and a 9% increase from January 2024 (7,385). Austria recorded 1,328 initial applications for international protection and 530 repeat applications in January, according to the Ministry of the Interior. The decline in Syrian asylum applications in Austria coincides with a change in leadership in Damascus and a suspension of processing such applications. Afghanistan remains the leading country in application statistics.
The majority of asylum seekers are from Venezuela
A notable shift has occurred in the statistics concerning the countries of origin of asylum seekers: Venezuelans constituted the largest group in January 2025, with 8,325 first-time applicants, thus surpassing Syrians, who had previously held this position since May 2022. Syrians came in second with 7,055 applications, followed by Afghans with 5,635.
Additionally, 2,145 unaccompanied minors submitted their first asylum applications in the EU, with most originating from Egypt (380), Syria (360), and Afghanistan (300). Germany reported the highest number of applications from unaccompanied minors (620), followed by Greece (460) and Spain (355).
The overall EU rate of first-time asylum applicants in January 2025 was 14.9 per 100,000 residents. In terms of population, Greece, Luxembourg, and Spain received the highest number of first-time applications during the first month of the year. Germany continued to lead with 14,920 applications, followed by Spain (13,225), France (11,895), Italy (10,905), and Greece (5,200), which together accounted for 84% of all first-time applicants in the EU. In contrast, the remaining 22 EU states, including Austria, collectively recorded fewer first applications (10,655) than Italy alone.
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