Filenews 17 September 2025
Asylum applications in the European Union recorded a significant decrease in June 2025, according to Eurostat data, however Cyprus remains among the countries with the highest proportion of applications per capita.
Cyprus ranks third in applications per 100,000 inhabitants with an index of 24.3, behind Greece (39.4) and Spain (25.8). Despite the overall decrease in the EU, data show that the pressure on the Cypriot asylum system remains intense.
At EU level, new asylum applications decreased by 27% year-on-year (52,265 in June 2025 compared to 71,455 in June 2024) and by 5% compared to May (54,780). In contrast, repeat applications increased by 24%, reaching 8,140.
Countries of origin and reception
Most applications came from Venezuelans (7,615), followed by Afghans (4,085), Bangladesh (2,735) and Syria (2,315).
In the host countries, Spain is first (12,645), followed by Italy (9,765), France (9,510) and Germany (6,860), which collected 74% of new applications.
As for unaccompanied minors, 1,835 applications were recorded, mainly from Eritrea (460), Afghanistan (205) and Mali (190).
Decisions on protection status
In the second quarter of 2025, EU member states issued 194,730 first-instance decisions, with a positive decision rate of 34% (65,735).
The most positive decisions were given in Spain (16,060), France (14,220) and Germany (13,450). The main beneficiaries were citizens from Afghanistan (13,170), Venezuela (12,340) and Somalia (3,215).
