Around 332,000 international protection applications were filed in European Union countries in the first six months of 2026. The number of applications fell 17% from the same period last year, reaching its lowest level for a first half since 2021.
The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) published updated data on asylum applications in member states. The data showed that the downward trend had continued since late 2024.
The decline in applications was linked to the political transition process in Syria, which changed the nationality distribution of asylum seekers, and to the European Union's cooperation with migrants' countries of origin and transit.
Afghan nationals submitted the most applications
Afghan nationals submitted the most asylum applications in the first six months. Applications from Afghan nationals fell 7% from the same period last year, to 39,000.
Applications from Venezuelan nationals fell by about one-third to 33,000. Spain accounted for 93% of these applications.
Applications from Bangladeshi nationals rose 13% to 20,000.
France recorded the most applications
France recorded the most asylum applications among EU countries. Some 69,000 applications were filed in France, accounting for about one-fifth of all applications across the EU.
Italy followed France with 66,000 applications, while Spain and Germany each recorded 55,000. Relative to population, Greece had the highest number of applications, with 23,000 filed—about one application for every 400 people.
The rate of positive decisions on international protection applications examined by first-instance authorities in EU countries was 31% in the first half of 2026.
