Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
In June 2025, 52,265 first-time asylum seekers (from outside the EU) filed applications for international protection in EU countries, a 27% decrease compared to June 2024 (71,455) and a 5% decrease compared to May 2025 (54,780).
In the second quarter of 2025, 194,730 first-instance asylum decisions were issued in the EU, a 3% increase compared to the same period the previous year (188,675) and a 2% decrease compared to the previous quarter (198,665). Of these decisions, 34% were positive (65,735).
This information is derived from monthly and quarterly asylum data published by Eurostat. It also indicated that the largest group of asylum seekers was from Venezuela. It added, "In June 2025, Venezuelans remained the largest group of asylum seekers (7,615 first-time asylum seekers), followed by Afghans (4,085), Bangladeshis (2,735), and Syrians (2,315).
Spain, Italy, France, and Germany received 74% of first-time applicants.
Spain (12,645), Italy (9,765), France (9,510), and Germany (6,860) received the highest number of first-time asylum seekers, accounting for nearly three-quarters (74%) of all first-time applicants in the EU.
The overall rate of first-time asylum applicants in the EU in June 2025 was 11.6 per 100,000 people. Compared to the population of each EU country (as of January 1, 2025), the highest rates of first-time applicants were recorded in Greece. (39.4), ahead of Spain (25.8) and Cyprus (24.3).
1,835 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum.
In June 2025, 1,835 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in the EU. The highest numbers came from Eritrea (460), Afghanistan (205), and Mali (190).
The Netherlands (450) was the EU Member State receiving the highest number of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors, followed by Spain (415), and Germany (270).
Decrease in positive asylum decisions
In the second quarter of 2025, EU countries granted protection status at first instance to 65,735 asylum seekers, a decrease of 35% compared to the same quarter in 2024 (100,400), and a slight decrease of 1% compared to the first quarter of 2025. (66,405).
Of the asylum seekers granted protection status in the first phase of the EU, 48% received refugee status, 28% humanitarian status, and 24% subsidiary protection.
Spain (16,060) topped the list of countries with the highest number of positive decisions in the first phase, ahead of France (14,220) and Germany (13,450). Afghans (13,170), Venezuelans (12,340), and Somalis (3,215) were the most prominent beneficiaries of protection status in the EU in the second quarter of 2025.