Asylum Applications in Europe Decline After the Fall of Assad's Regime

SadaNews - Applications for asylum in the European Union decreased by 23% in the first six months of 2025, driven by a significant decline in the number of Syrians seeking protection, according to the EU Asylum Agency reported on Monday.

The agency's data showed that Syrians filed approximately 25,000 applications in the 27 member states of the bloc, along with Switzerland and Norway (EU+), a decrease of 66% compared to the same period last year.

The agency stated in its report that "this remarkable decline is not related to a change in EU+ policies," attributing it instead to the ousting of former regime president Bashar al-Assad.

It added, "As the new Syrian authorities advocate for stability and reconstruction, many displaced Syrians are pinning greater hopes on returning to rebuild their communities."

Syrians, who were once the majority of asylum applicants, have now become the third largest group after Venezuelans and Afghans.

Meanwhile, France and Spain have replaced Germany as the primary destinations for asylum seekers.

In total, the "EU+" countries received 399,000 asylum applications in the first six months of the year.

Venezuelans, suffering from economic and political turmoil in their country, accounted for 49,000 of the total number of applicants.

The report is positive for EU countries facing pressure to limit immigration amid electoral gains by the far-right in several of the bloc's countries.

Earlier this year, the European Commission revealed plans to facilitate the return of asylum seekers and deportation processes.