Data extracted on 14 March 2025.
Planned article update: March 2026.
Highlights
Source: Eurostat (migr_asyappctza)
This article outlines recent developments in relation to the number of asylum applicants in the European Union (EU). Asylum is a form of international protection given by a state on its territory. It is granted to a person who is unable to seek protection in their country of citizenship and/or residence, in particular for fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.
Main trends in the number of asylum applicants
In 2024, 911 960 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in EU countries, down by 13.1% compared with 2023 (1 049 510) (Figure 1).
First-time asylum applicants accounted for a large majority (91.5%) of the total number of asylum applicants in the EU (996 815) recorded in 2024.
Additionally, there were 83 375 subsequent asylum applicants recorded across the EU countries in 2024. This was up 9.5% when compared with 2023 (76 155).
In 2024, more males than females sought asylum in the EU countries (Figure 2).
Men aged 18-34 years accounted for 37.6% of the total number of first-time applicants. The proportions of boys and girls aged less than 14 years were similar (respectively 51.4% and 48.6%). By contrast, there were more boys (74.0%) than girls (26.0%) for children aged 14-17 years.
Where to asylum seekers make their application?
With 229 695 first-time asylum applicants registered in 2024, Germany continued to be the EU country with the highest number of applicants, accounting for a quarter of all first-time applicants in the EU (25.2%). Spain came second (164 010, 18.0%), followed by Italy (151 120, 16.6%), France (130 860, 14.3%), and Greece (69 000, 7.6%). These 5 EU countries together accounted for 82% of all first-time asylum applicants in the EU last year.
The number of first-time asylum applicants increased in 7 EU countries in 2024. The largest relative increases, compared with the previous year, were registered in Poland (87.1%, or 6 725 more first-time asylum seekers in 2024 than in 2023) and Ireland (39.4%, or 5 215 more).
The largest decreases were observed in Romania (77.1%, or 7 610 less first-time asylum seekers in 2024 than in 2023), Estonia (66.6%, or 2 650 less), Slovakia (63.5 %, or 235 less), Austria (61.1%, or 34 325 less) and Latvia (50.8 %, or 825 less).
Compared with the population of each EU country (as of 1 January 2024), the highest number of registered first-time asylum applicants in 2024 was recorded in Cyprus (7.2 first-time applicants per 1 000 people), followed by Greece (6.6), Ireland and Spain (each 3.4), and Luxembourg (3.2).
In 2024, there were 2.0 first-time asylum applicants per 1 000 people in the EU.
Source: Eurostat (migr_asyapp1mp)
Where do asylum seekers come from?
Syria has been the main country of citizenship of asylum seekers in the EU since 2013. In 2024, Syrians lodged 147 965 first-time applications (16.2% of the total number of first-time applications in the EU), followed by Venezuela with 72 775 applications (8.0% of the EU total), Afghanistan, which had been the second main country of citizenship for 6 consecutive years, ranked third with 72 155 applications (7.9%), followed by applicants from Colombia (5.5%, 50 330 applications), and Türkiye (5.1%, 46 835 applications).
Among the 15 most common citizenships of first-time asylum applicants in the EU in 2024, the number of asylum seekers increased for 5 of them. The largest absolute increase compared with 2023 was observed for Ukrainians (12 295, or 96.4% more). In contrast, the number of asylum seekers decreased the most among citizens of Türkiye (43 155, or 48.0% less), Syria (35 100, 19.2% less) and Afghanistan (28 520, 28.3% less).
In 2024, Syrian was the main citizenship of asylum seekers in 12 EU countries (Table 1). The citizens of Ukraine were the main group of asylum seekers in 4 EU countries.
The largest numbers of Syrians, Afghans and Turks were registered in Germany (51.9% of all Syrian asylum seekers in the EU, 47.3% of Afghans and 62.3% of Turks). For Venezuelans and Colombians, the vast majority were registered in Spain (89.9% and 79.0% respectively).
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Source: Eurostat (migr_asyappctza)
Applications by unaccompanied minors
In 2024, 36 290 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time in the EU, a decrease of 15.7% compared to 2023 (43 060) (Figure 5).
The EU countries that received the highest number of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors were Germany (13 345, 36.8% of the total), the Netherlands (4 285, 11.8%), Greece (4 030, 11.1%), Spain (3 305, 9.1%) and Bulgaria (2 600, 7.2%).
Compared with 2023, the number of unaccompanied minors increased the most in Greece (1 395 applicants, or 52.9% more) and Spain (800 applicants, or 31.9% more), whereas the highest decreases were observed in Austria (3 910 applicants, or 79.6% less), Germany (1 925 applicants, or 12.6% less) and the Netherlands (1 525 applicants, or 26.2% less).
In 2024, Syrians were the largest group of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the EU (11 605 applicants, 32.0% of the total number). They were followed by Afghans (5 695, 15.7%), ahead of applicants from Egypt (3 045, 8.4%), Somalia (2 380, 6.6%) and Guinea (1 300, 3.6%) (Figure 6).
Applications under the accelerated procedure
In 2024, there were 101 640 asylum applications under the accelerated procedure in EU countries, an increase of 6.3% compared with 2023 (95 580) (Figure 7).
The largest number of asylum applications under an accelerated procedure in 2024 was recorded in France (54 785), followed, at a distance, by Italy (24 865) and Greece (10 270).
Applicants receiving material reception conditions at the end of the year
According to the latest available data, there were 562 175 applicants receiving material reception conditions at the end of 2023 in the EU.
Among the EU countries, the largest number of applicants receiving material reception conditions was registered in France (166 820) and Italy (130 390) (Figure 8).
Pending applications at the end of the year
At the end of December 2024, 1 241 660 applications for international protection in EU countries were under consideration by national authorities, an increase of 8.5% compared to December 2023 (1 143 945) (Figure 9).
Germany continued to have the highest number of pending applications (355 440, or 28.6% of the EU total), ahead of Spain (263 985, or 21.3%), Italy (207 285, or 16.7%) and France (147 450, or 11.9%). These four EU countries together accounted for 78% of all pending applications in the EU at the end of 2024.
Withdrawn asylum applications
In 2024, 104 650 asylum applications were withdrawn across the EU countries (Figure 10). The largest number of withdrawals was registered in Greece (20 960), followed by Germany (19 040) and Croatia (11 150).
In most EU countries, the majority of withdrawals were implicit, with the highest shares observed in Austria (100.0%), Slovenia (99.2%), Spain (98.9%), Bulgaria (98.8%) and Croatia (98.3%). In contrast, most explicit withdrawals were observed in Estonia (100.0%), France (93.8%) and Ireland (92.7%).
Data sources
Eurostat produces statistics on a range of issues relating to international migration. Between 1986 and 2007, data on asylum was collected on the basis of a gentlemen’s agreement. Since 2008 data have been provided to Eurostat under the provisions of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007.
Data for statistics on asylum applications, including applications by unaccompanied minors are provided to Eurostat with a monthly frequency. The statistics are based on administrative sources and are provided to Eurostat by statistical authorities, ministries of the interior or related immigration agencies in the EU countries.
Asylum applicants mean asylum seekers who have lodged a claim (asylum application) and whose claim is under consideration by the relevant authority.
Annual aggregated data on asylum applicants are computed from monthly data. Annual aggregated data on first-time unaccompanied minor asylum applicants are computed from monthly data and refer to minors according to the age claimed by applicant at the time of application. This number is different from the statistics on asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors after the age assessment procedure has been completed.
Limitations on data availability affecting the information presented in this article:
- 2024 data on first-time asylum applicants for Portugal estimated due to missing data for December 2024.
- 2021 to 2023 data on subsequent applicants for Cyprus not available due to derogations.
- 2023 data on unaccompanied minors for Cyprus and Poland not available due to derogations, 2024 data for Poland not available.
- 2023 data on asylum applications under the accelerated procedure for Cyprus and Romania not available due to derogations.
- 2022 and 2023 data on asylum applicants having benefited from material reception conditions at the end of the reference year, for Croatia (only for 2022), Germany, Cyprus and Romania not available due to derogations.
- 2024 data on asylum applications withdrawn by type of withdrawal for Romania not available.
The article presents statistical information on third-country nationals, meaning non-EU citizens (including stateless persons), seeking asylum in the EU and other European countries. Data presented in this publication are rounded to the nearest five. Calculations were performed using rounded numbers.
Context
The 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees (as amended by the 1967 New York Protocol) has, for over 70 years, defined who is a refugee, and laid down a common approach towards refugees, which has been one of the cornerstones for the development of a common asylum system within the EU. Since 1999, the EU has worked towards creating a common European asylum regime in accordance with the Geneva Convention and other applicable international instruments. The Directorate-General Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) is responsible for developing EU policies on asylum.
The New Pact on Migration and Asylum was adopted by the European Parliament in April 2024 and by the Council in May 2024. This pact provides a comprehensive approach that delivers a common European response to migration. It allows the EU to manage migration in a fair and sustainable way, ensuring solidarity between countries while also providing certainty and clarity for people arriving in the EU and protecting their fundamental rights. The Pact on Migration and Asylum will ensure that countries share the effort responsibly, showing solidarity with the ones that protect our external borders and with those facing particular migratory pressure, while preventing irregular migration to the EU. The Pact also gives the EU and its countries the tools to react rapidly in situations of crisis, when countries are faced with large numbers of arrivals or when a third-country or non-State entity tries to instrumentalise migrants in order to destabilise our Union.
The main legal instruments on asylum are:
- Asylum Regulation Procedure (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council;
- Qualification Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU;
- Reception Conditions Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection;
- Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013;
- Eurodac Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by EU countries' law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
- Screening Regulation (EU) 2024/1356 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 introducing the screening of third-country nationals at the external borders and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/817;
- Union Resettlement Framework Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147.
In May 2010, the European Commission presented an action plan for unaccompanied minors (COM(2010) 213 final), who are regarded as the most exposed and vulnerable victims of migration. This plan aims to set up a coordinated approach and commits all EU countries to grant high standards of reception, protection and integration for unaccompanied minors. In December 2011, the European Commission adopted a Communication on 'Enhanced intra-EU solidarity in the field of asylum' (COM(2011) 835 final). This provided proposals to reinforce practical, technical and financial cooperation, moving towards a better allocation of responsibilities and improved governance of the asylum system in the EU, namely through:
- introducing an evaluation and early warning mechanism to detect and address emerging problems;
- making the supporting role of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) more effective;
- increasing the amount of funds available and making these more flexible, taking into account significant fluctuations in the number of asylum seekers;
- developing and encouraging the relocation of beneficiaries of international protection between different EU countries.
Explore further
Other articles
- Asylum applications - monthly statistics
- Temporary protection for persons fleeing Ukraine - monthly statistics
- Statistics on countries responsible for asylum applications (Dublin Regulation)
- Enforcement of immigration legislation statistics
- Residence permits - statistics on first permits issued during the year
Database
- Asylum (migr_asy), see:
- Asylum and temporary protection indicators (migr_asyltpind)
- Asylum indicators (migr_asyind)
- First-time asylum applicants - per thousand persons (migr_asyapp1mp)
- First-time asylum applicants - % of total asylum applicants (migr_asyapp1pc)
- First-time asylum applications of unaccompanied minors - % of total first-time asylum applications of minors (migr_asyapp1up)
- Positive first instance decisions - per thousand persons (migr_asydec1p)
- Asylum decisions at first instance by type of decision - % of total decisions at first instance (migr_asydec1pc)
- Asylum decisions at final instance by type of decision - % of total decisions at final instance (migr_asydecfp)
- Temporary protection indicators (migr_asytpind)
- Beneficiaries of temporary protection by citizenship - per thousand persons (migr_asytpspop)
- Decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship - per thousand persons (migr_asytpfpop)
- Asylum and temporary protection indicators (migr_asyltpind)
- Temporary protection (migr_asytp)
- Decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship, age and sex - annual data (migr_asytpfa)
- Decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship, age and sex – quarterly data (migr_asytpfq)
- First instance decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship, age and sex – monthly data (migr_asytpfm)
- Beneficiaries of temporary protection at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex – monthly data (migr_asytpsm)
- Decisions withdrawing temporary protection by citizenship and reason – quarterly data (migr_asytpwq)
- Temporary protection (migr_asytp)
- Temporary protection of unaccompanied minors (migr_asyumtp)
- Decisions granting temporary protection to unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex – annual data (migr_asyumtpfa)
- Decisions granting temporary protection to unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex – quarterly data (migr_asyumtpfq)
- Decisions granting temporary protection to unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex – monthly data (migr_asyumtpfm)
- Unaccompanied minors benefiting from temporary protection at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex – monthly data (migr_asyumtpsm)
- Decisions withdrawing temporary protection to unaccompanied minors by citizenship and reason – quarterly data (migr_asyumtpwq)
- Temporary protection of unaccompanied minors (migr_asyumtp)
- Applications (migr_asyapp)
- Asylum applicants by type of applicant, citizenship, age and sex - annual aggregated data (migr_asyappctza)
- Asylum applicants by type of applicant, citizenship, age and sex - monthly data (migr_asyappctzm)
- Persons subject of asylum applications pending at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex - monthly data (migr_asypenctzm)
- Asylum applications withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal - annual aggregated data (migr_asywitha)
- Asylum applications withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal - monthly data (migr_asywithm)
- Asylum applicants having had their applications processed under the accelerated procedure, by age, sex and citizenship - monthly data (migr_asyaccm)
- Applicants having benefited from material reception conditions at the end of the reference year - annual data (migr_asymrca)
- Applications (migr_asyapp)
- Applications of unaccompanied minors (migr_asyum)
- Asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex - annual data (migr_asyunaa)
- Unaccompanied minor asylum applicants by type of applicant, citizenship, age and sex - annual aggregated data (migr_asyumacta)
- Unaccompanied minors subject of asylum applications pending at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex - monthly data (migr_asyumpctm)
- Asylum applications of unaccompanied minors withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal - annual aggregated data (migr_asyumwita)
- Asylum applications of unaccompanied minors withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal - monthly data (migr_asyumwitm)
- Unaccompanied minor asylum applicants having had their applications processed under the accelerated procedure, by age, sex and citizenship - monthly data (migr_asyumaccm)
- Applications of unaccompanied minors (migr_asyum)
- Decisions on applications and resettlement (migr_asydec)
- First instance decisions on applications by citizenship, age and sex - annual aggregated data (migr_asydcfsta)
- First instance decisions on applications by citizenship, age and sex - quarterly data (migr_asydcftq)
- Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision by type of status withdrawn, citizenship and reason - annual aggregated data (migr_asywitfsta)
- Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision by type of status withdrawn, citizenship and reason - quarterly data (migr_asywitfstq)
- Final decisions in appeal or review on applications by citizenship, age and sex - annual data (migr_asydcfina)
- Decisions withdrawing status granted as final decision in appeal or review by type of status withdrawn - annual data (asywitfina)
- Resettled persons by age, sex and citizenship - annual data (rounded) (migr_asyresa)
- Resettled persons by age, sex, citizenship and country of previous residence - annual data (migr_asyrescra)
- Resettled persons by age, sex, citizenship and decision - annual data (migr_asyresda)
- Resettled persons by age, sex, citizenship and resettlement framework - annual data (migr_asyrelfa)
- Decisions on applications and resettlement (migr_asydec)
- Decisions on applications of unaccompanied minors and resettlement of unaccompanied minors (migr_asydum)
- First instance decisions on applications of unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex - annual aggregated data (migr_asyumdcfa)
- First instance decisions on applications of unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex - quarterly data (migr_asyumdcfq)
- Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision to an unaccompanied minor by type of status withdrawn, citizenship and reason - annual aggregated data (migr_asyumwifa)
- Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision to an unaccompanied minor by type of status withdrawn, citizenship and reason - quarterly data (migr_asyumwifq)
- Final decisions in appeal or review on applications of unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex - annual data (migr_asyumdcfna)
- Decisions withdrawing status granted as final decision in appeal or review to unaccompanied minors by type of status withdrawn, citizenship and reason - annual data (migr_asyumwfna)
- Resettled unaccompanied minors by age, sex and citizenship - annual data (rounded) (migr_asyumresa)
- Decisions on applications of unaccompanied minors and resettlement of unaccompanied minors (migr_asydum)
Thematic section
Publications
Selected datasets
- Asylum (t_migr_asy), see:
- Asylum and new asylum applicants - monthly data (tps00189)
- Persons subject of asylum applications pending at the end of the month - monthly data (tps00190)
- Asylum and new asylum applicants - annual aggregated data (tps00191)
- First instance decisions on applications by type of decision - annual aggregated data (tps00192)
- Final decisions on applications - annual data (tps00193)
- Asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors - annual data (tps00194)
- Resettled persons - annual data (tps00195)
Methodology
- Applications (migr_asyapp) (ESMS metadata file — migr_asyapp_esms)
- Decisions on applications and resettlement (migr_asydec) (ESMS metadata file — migr_asydec_esms)
External links
Legislation
- the Qualification Directive 2011/95/EU on standards for the qualification of non-EU nationals and stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection (Summary)
- the Asylum Procedures Directive 2013/32/EU on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection (Summary)
- the Reception Conditions Directive 2013/33/EU laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (Summary)
- the Dublin Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the EU Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or stateless person