Germany currently ranks third globally in terms of the number of asylum applications received.
In a significant change in Europe's asylum landscape, Venezuela has surpassed Syria as the country with the most new asylum seekers in the European Union (EU), according to the EU's asylum agency's half-year report for 2025. More than 49,000 applications from Venezuelan asylum seekers were recorded, marking a stark contrast to Syria's 42,000 applications.
This dramatic increase in Venezuelan asylum seekers has led to a record low recognition rate for initial applications, standing at 25%. The overall protection rate for Venezuelans within the EU was last reported at 10.9 percent.
The mass emigration from Venezuela is a direct consequence of President Nicolás Maduro's authoritarian rule, which has led to economic instability and political unrest.
Interestingly, Germany, which has been at the top of the list since 2012, is no longer leading the pack. The country received a total of 70,000 new asylum applications in the first half of the year, placing it in third position within the EU. Italy, with 64,000 new applications, and France and Spain, which have seen a surge in applications from Ukrainian asylum seekers, have surpassed Germany as the leading countries with the most new asylum applications in the EU's half-year report.
Despite the decrease in asylum applications overall, the EU is working with North African states to deter migrants from fleeing to Europe. The number of asylum applications in Germany has not yet significantly affected the administrative courts, with the number of asylum lawsuits having increased significantly in the first half of the year.
EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner attributes the decrease in asylum applications to a more consistent policy and the need for improved cooperation with third countries to relieve EU asylum systems. He emphasises the importance of ensuring a fair and efficient asylum process for those in need of protection.
As of now, more than 9.1 million Venezuelans now live outside their home country, with the number continuing to grow. The growing economy, welcoming government, and native language of Spain make it an attractive destination for Venezuelan asylum seekers.
The backlog of asylum cases is a pressing concern, with over 900,000 first-instance decisions pending and about 1.3 million decisions outstanding due to appeals. Addressing this backlog and ensuring a swift and fair asylum process will be crucial in the coming months.
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