Asylum applications to EU plunge to lowest in five years as tougher migration rules take hold

EU asylum applications hit five-year low in first half of 2026, as stricter migration rules take effect, according to the bloc's asylum agency. In total, 332,000 applications for international protection were received from January to June, representing a 17% decrease compared to the same period last year. The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) attributed the decline to Syria's political transition, which has resulted in fewer applications from Syrian nationals, and the EU's cooperation with countries of origin and transit.

Deals struck by Brussels with Northern African countries such as Tunisia and Mauritania have also contributed to the reduction, providing aid and investments in exchange for assistance with migration. Despite the war in the Middle East, the EUAA stated that this did not lead to a predicted increase in applications from affected regions.

Among applicants, Afghans constituted the largest group with 39,000 requests for protection, followed by Venezuelans and Bangladeshis. Only a third of the applications processed in the first six months of the year were successful, largely due to expedited procedures for those from countries with low recognition rates or deemed "safe" by the EU.

France received the highest number of applications at 69,000, followed by Italy (66,000), Spain (55,000) and Germany (55,000). Greece had the highest number of applications per capita, with 23,000 requests.