The number of new asylum applications in the EU fell 25% in December to 47,650, compared to the same month in 2024 (61,515), Eurostat reported today.
According to the EU statistics service, new applications also fell 13% compared to November (54,855). Subsequent applications, by contrast, totalled 9,255 — up 29% compared to December 2024 (7,180) but down 19% month-on-month (from 11,435).
Read more: Life expectancy rises to 81.5 years in the EU in 2024
In the fourth quarter of 2025, 229,735 first-instance decisions were taken — up 15% compared to the same period in 2024 (200,005) and up 10% compared to the previous quarter (209,770). Fewer than half (45%) of decisions were positive (103,550).
Venezuelans accounted for 13.9% of new asylum applications in EU countries between October and December 2025.