EUAA: Asylum applications in EU drop to lowest level since 2021

EU+ countries received around 332,000 applications for international protection in the first six months of 2026, a 17% decline from the same period last year.

Afghans submitted the highest number of applications at 39,000, down 7% year-on-year. Applications from Venezuelans fell by nearly one-third to 33,000, with 93% lodged in Spain.

France received the largest number of applications at 69,000, accounting for about one-fifth of the EU+ total. It was followed by Italy with 66,000 and Spain and Germany with 55,000 each.