EU sees drop in first-time asylum applications in August

BRUSSELS

The number of first-time asylum applicants in the EU fell 27% in August compared with the same month last year, according to Eurostat data released Monday.

A total of 51,465 first-time applicants, all non-EU citizens, sought international protection in EU countries last month – a 27% drop compared to August 2024, when there were 70,290 applications, and a 7% decline from this July (55,390).

But the number of subsequent asylum applicants rose to 13,780, up 117% from August 2024 (6,345) and a 20% rise compared to this July (11,505).

France, Italy, Spain, Germany get lion’s share of applicants

Afghans were the largest group of first-time asylum seekers in August, with 5,260 applications, followed closely by Venezuelans (5,180), Syrians (2,825) and Bangladeshis (2,785).

France (9,735), Italy (9,075), Spain (8,470) and Germany (7,800) accounted for 68% of all first-time asylum applications in the EU.

Across the EU, there were 11.4 first-time applicants per 100,000 people in August. Greece saw the highest rate at 65.2, followed by Greek Cypriot Administration (23.9) and Belgium (20.2).

A total of 1,840 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in the EU in August. The largest numbers came from Egypt (385), Afghanistan (200), Somalia (195), and Eritrea (190).

Greece (515), the Netherlands (335), and Germany (240) were the top destinations for asylum applications from unaccompanied minors.