EU: 17% decline in asylum applications in the first half of 2026

European Union countries recorded some 332,000 requests for international protection in the first half of 2026, a decline of 17% year-on-year, confirming the downward trend that began in 2024, the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA) said on Thursday. “This is the lowest number recorded over a half-year since 2021,” noted the agency in a press release.

This is explained in particular by the political transition in Syria, which has caused asylum requests from Syrians to drop over the past year, notes the EUAA, while deeming this change in governance “fragile” after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by a coalition of rebels at the end of 2024.

Less than a third of requests accepted over the last six months

Another factor: “the EU's efforts to cooperate with countries of origin and transit”, while on the other hand the war in the Middle East over the last six months has “not resulted in an increase in asylum requests” within the Twenty-Seven. Three-quarters of requests for international protection from January to June 2026 concerned four countries: France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

They together accounted for 4/5ths in previous reports, which means that smaller countries are also recording requests in the thousands. For example Greece, the EU country which receives the most in proportion to its population, according to the European agency. Among asylum seekers in the first half, Afghan nationality was the most represented (39,000), ahead of Venezuelans and Bangladeshis.

Less than a third of applications processed in the first six months of the year were accepted, the EUAA said, noting that this should have an impact on future applications. Under European rules that came into force in June, applicants from countries whose recognition rate is less than 20% are subject to an accelerated procedure, accompanied by rapid referral in the event of rejection.