Asylum decisions - annual statistics

Data extracted on 11 April 2025.

Planned article update: April 2026.

Highlights

In 2024, EU countries granted protection status to 437 900 asylum seekers, up 6.9% compared with 2023 (409 530).

Among persons granted protection status in the EU in 2024, 42.4% received refugee status, 38.8% subsidiary protection and 18.8% humanitarian status.

Syrians, Afghans and Venezuelans were the main beneficiaries of protection status in the EU in 2024.

This article describes recent developments in relation to the first instance and final decisions on applications lodged by asylum applicants in the European Union (EU). It looks at the main trends, including positive and negative decisions, and focuses on the 3 types of positive outcomes: refugee status, subsidiary protection and humanitarian status. It also provides information on the first instance and final decisions for unaccompanied minors and the number of decisions withdrawing protection status granted at first instance and final decisions.

The article further describes the development of the number of people resettled in the EU.

Main trends in the number of asylum decisions

In 2024, 939 985 decisions on asylum applications were issued in the EU, of which 754 525 were first instance decisions and 185 455 were final decisions following an appeal or review.

Decisions made at first instance resulted in 387 635 people being granted protection status, while another 50 265 people received protection status after an appeal or review. Overall, EU countries granted protection status to 437 900 asylum seekers in 2024, up 6.9% compared with 2023 (409 530). This is the highest value since the peaks recorded after the refugee crisis related to the war in Syria in 2016 and 2017.

Among the asylum seekers granted positive decisions at first and final instance in 2024 (Figure 1), 42.4% received refugee status (185 550 persons), 38.8% were granted subsidiary protection (169 875) and 18.8% received humanitarian status (82 480). Compared with 2023, the number of refugee statuses granted increased by 5.7%, subsidiary protection increased by 18.9% and humanitarian status decreased by 9.5%. It shall be noted that refugee status and subsidiary protection are defined by EU law, whereas humanitarian status is specific to national legislation and does not apply in some EU countries.

Figure 1

The highest number of people who received protection status in 2024 was reported by Germany (150 500, 34.4% of the EU total), ahead of France (65 230, 14.9%) and Spain (50 915, 11.6%) (Figure 2). All together, these 3 countries granted more than 60% of the protection statuses at EU level.

Figure 2

In 2024, Syrians received the largest number of protection statuses in the EU (32.3% of all persons granted protection status in the EU, 141 380 persons) (Figure 3). They were followed by Afghans (16.5%, 72 340), Venezuelans (7.9 %, 34 525), Ukrainians (3.2%, 13 885), Malians (2.9%, 12 760), Somalis (2.8%, 12 210), Turks (2.5%, 11 080), Eritreans (2.4%, 10 470) and Palestinians (2.1%, 9 105).

Figure 3

First instance decisions on asylum applications

In 2024, 387 635 asylum seekers were granted positive outcomes of first instance decisions: 164 905 were granted refugee status (21.9% of total first instance decisions), 155 480 were granted subsidiary protection (20.6%) and 67 250 were granted humanitarian status (8.9%) (Figure 4). The recognition rate at the EU level, i.e. the share of all positive decisions among the total number of decisions, was 51.4% for first instance decisions.

More than 90% of first instance decisions were positive in Estonia in 2024. 70 to 90% of positive decisions were in Poland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Greece and Austria. On the contrary, 10 to 30% of positive decisions were made in Latvia, Czechia and Croatia. Less than 10% of positive first instance decisions were issued in Portugal.

Figure 4

The largest group of asylum seekers who obtained protection status via first instance decisions in the EU in 2024 were Syrians (132 840, 34.3% of positive first instance decisions). They were followed by Afghans (67 345, 17.4%) and Venezuelans (34 085, 8.8%).

Syrians (58.6%) and Afghans (47.7%) were granted protection status through first instance decisions mainly in Germany, while almost all Venezuelans (94.5%) were granted protection status in Spain.

Among the top 10 citizenships that received the highest number of first instance decisions in 2024 in the EU, Syrians (91.5%), Venezuelans (88.8%) and Ukrainians (87.2%) had the highest recognition rates (Figure 5).

Figure 5

Final decisions taken on appeal or review

In 2024, 50 265 asylum seekers were granted positive outcomes at final instance following an appeal or review; 20 640 were granted refugee status (11.1% of total final decisions), 14 395 were granted subsidiary protection (7.8%) and 15 230 were granted humanitarian status (8.2%) (Figure 6). The recognition rate at EU level was 27.1% for final decisions in appeal or review.

The highest shares of positive final decisions in appeal or review were recorded in Italy (84.7%), and in Bulgaria and Slovakia (both 75.0%). Less than 10% of positive final decisions were issued in Cyprus, Poland, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Latvia, Czechia, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Estonia and Malta. No positive final decisions were issued in Portugal, while no final decisions on asylum applications were issued in Hungary.

Figure 6

The largest group who obtained protection status on appeal or review in the EU in 2024 were Syrians (8 535, 17.0%). They were followed by Afghans (4 995, 9.9%) and Bangladeshis (3 295, 6.6%).

Syrians (65.4%) were granted protection status through final decisions mainly in Germany, Afghans (44.6%) mainly in France, while the majority of Bangladeshis (71.9%) were granted protection status in appeal in Italy.

Among the top 10 citizenships that received the highest number of final decisions after an appeal or review in 2024 in the EU, Syrians (72.1%), Afghans (42.1%) and Pakistanis (35.9%) had the highest recognition rates (Figure 7).

Figure 7

Decisions on asylum applications from unaccompanied minors

In 2024, based on available data, 17 295 first instance decisions on asylum applications lodged by unaccompanied minors were made in the EU, and a further 750 final decisions following an appeal or review. A total of 18 045 asylum decisions on unaccompanied minors were issued. That is 6.4% more than in 2023 (16 960).

Decisions made at first instance resulted in 14 405 unaccompanied minors being granted protection status, while another 375 received protection status after an appeal or review. Overall, in 2024, EU countries granted protection status to 14 780 unaccompanied minors seeking asylum, up 10.8% compared with the 2023 (13 340).

Across the EU countries, Germany issued the most positive decisions on applications lodged by unaccompanied minors (7 155 persons, 48.4% of positive decisions lodged by unaccompanied minors), followed by the Netherlands (2 510, 17.0%), Greece (1 035, 7.0%), Belgium (985, 6.7%) and Italy (965, 6.5%) (Figure 8).

Figure 8

The main beneficiaries of protection status among unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the EU were Syrians (7 320 persons, 49.5% of positive decisions lodged by unaccompanied minors) and Afghans (3 645, 24.7%).

Decisions withdrawing protection status

EU countries may decide to withdraw protection status when new elements or findings arise indicating that there are reasons to reconsider the validity of protection. Decisions are taken by the competent administrative or judicial bodies either at first instance or on appeal (final decision).

In 2024, EU countries took 10 230 decisions withdrawing protection status granted at first instance and a further 4 030 decisions withdrawing protection status granted at final instance.

The highest number of decisions withdrawing protection status granted at first and final instance was reported by the Netherlands (3 670) and Germany (3 185) in 2024 (Figure 9). The share of these decisions in the EU total was 25.7% in the Netherlands and 22.3% in Germany.

Figure 9

Resettled persons

Resettlement to the European Union, on request by UNHCR, is the transfer of vulnerable persons from third countries to EU countries, where they are admitted and granted the right to stay and any other rights comparable to those granted to beneficiaries of international protection.

In 2024, based on available data, 13 790 persons were resettled to the EU countries, 1.7% less compared with 2023 (14 035).

The highest number of resettled persons was reported by Germany (5 720, 41.5% of the EU total), ahead of France (2 370, 17.2%) and Italy (1 735, 12.6%), accounting more than 70% of all resettled refugees in the EU countries (Figure 10).

Figure 10

In 2024, the largest group of resettled persons were Syrians (5 610 persons, 40.7% of all persons resettled to the EU), followed by Afghans (2 380, 17.3%), citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1 630, 11.8%) and Sudanese (1 115, 8.1%).

The main countries of previous residence of resettled persons were Türkiye (3 515 persons, 25.5% of all resettled persons to EU), Lebanon (1 300, 9.4%), Pakistan (1 225, 8.9%), Jordan (1 210, 8.8%) and Egypt (1 080, 7.8%).

Persons were resettled on the EU territory based on a decision on refugee status (5 625 persons, 40.8% of all persons resettled to the EU), on subsidiary protection (895, 6.5%) and other positive decisions (5 935, 43.0%). For 1 335 persons (9.7%), the type of status granted with the resettlement decision is unknown.

The resettlement of persons under the EU resettlement frameworks represented 27.4% (3 785 persons) and under other resettlement frameworks 72.6% (10 005) of all cases.

Data sources

Eurostat produces statistics on a range of issues relating to international migration under the provisions of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007.

Data are provided to Eurostat with a monthly frequency (for asylum application statistics, including applications by unaccompanied minors), quarterly frequency (for first instance decisions) and annual frequency (for final decisions based on appeal or review and resettlement). 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.

Two different categories of persons should be taken into account when analysing asylum statistics. The first includes asylum seekers who have lodged a claim (asylum application) and whose claim is under consideration by the relevant authority. The second is composed of persons who have been recognised, after consideration, as refugees, or have been granted another kind of international protection (subsidiary protection), or were granted protection on the basis of the national law related to international protection (authorisations to stay for humanitarian reasons), or were rejected from having any form of protection.

Statistics on asylum decisions are available for different stages of the asylum procedure. First instance decisions are decisions granted by the respective authority acting as a first instance of the administrative or judicial asylum procedure in the receiving country. By contrast, final decisions on appeal or review relate to decisions granted at the final instance of administrative or judicial asylum procedure and which result from an appeal lodged by an asylum seeker rejected in the preceding stage.

Resettlement data relate to resettled persons who have actually arrived on to the territory of the Member State and not to selected persons who remain in the third country waiting for a transfer to the Member States or to persons covered by future resettlement commitments. Only resettled persons arriving into a Member State from a third country are counted. Transfers between Member State of asylum-seekers, refugees or persons enjoying subsidiary protection status are not included in this category.

Limitations on data availability affecting the information presented in this article:

Data for humanitarian status is specific to national legislation and does not apply in some EU countries. They are not applicable for Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Croatia, Cyprus (since 2015), Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal and Slovenia.
Data for first instance decisions and final decisions are missing for Croatia for 2008 - 2011, and for Cyprus for 2008. EU aggregates for 2008 - 2011 were computed based on available data.
Data for unaccompanied minor asylum applicants granted protection status at first and final instance, are missing for Cyprus from 2021 to 2023, for Poland from 2021 and for Switzerland for 2024. EU aggregates were computed based on available data.
Data for decisions withdrawing protection status are missing for Denmark for 2008 - 2010 and 2015, Ireland for 2008 - 2014, Spain for 2008 - 2012, France for 2008, 2010, 2011, Croatia for 2008 - 2011, Cyprus for 2008, Lithuania for 2008 and 2015, Luxembourg for 2008, Hungary for 2011 - 2014, the Netherlands for 2008 - 2013, Poland for 2008 - 2010, Portugal for 2010, Romania for 2010, Slovakia for 2010 and 2012, Finland for 2008 - 2011, Iceland for 2010 and 2013, Liechtenstein for 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, Norway for 2008.
Data for resettled persons are missing for Belgium for 2008, 2010, 2012, Czechia for 2008 - 2009, Spain for 2008, Croatia for 2008 - 2011, Portugal for 2024, Switzerland for 2008 - 2009.
Data for resettled persons by country of previous residence are missing for Spain for 2022-2023, for France for 2021-2023, and for Iceland for 2022-2024.
Data for resettled persons by decisions are not available for 77-85% persons for Italy for 2022-2024.

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. Values are rounded to the nearest 5. 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 been working 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 Pact on Migration and Asylum, presented by the Commission in September 2020, was adopted by the European Parliament in April 2024 and by the Council in May 2024. This Pact provides 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.

The respective annual, quarterly and monthly datasets are available in the Eurostat database.

Footnotes

Explore further

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)

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 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)

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 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)

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 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)

Thematic section

Asylum statistics

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

Visualisation

Asylum statistics