Initial asylum applications within the European Union totaled 54,780 in May 2025, according to data released Monday by the EU’s statistical office, Eurostat. This figure represents a 30 percent decrease compared to the 77,945 applications registered in May 2024.
However, the number of applications saw a 12 percent increase when compared to April 2025, which recorded 48,935 initial claims. Eurostat also reported 7,585 subsequent asylum applications in May, representing a 20 percent rise year-on-year from the 6,300 recorded in May 2024 and a 4 percent increase compared to April 2025 (7,275).
Venezuelans constituted the largest group of first-time applicants in the fifth month of the year, with 8,085 claims, followed by Afghanistan (4,575), Bangladesh (3,095) and Syria (2,935). Spain, Italy, France and Germany collectively received 77 percent of all initial applications. Specifically, Spain registered 12,755 applications, Italy 11,760, France 9,490 and Germany 8,330.
The highest rates of first-time applications relative to population size were recorded in Greece, followed by Spain, Cyprus and Luxembourg. A total of 1,960 unaccompanied minors submitted asylum applications in May 2025, with the majority originating from Eritrea, Afghanistan and Syria. The Netherlands received the highest number of applications from unaccompanied minors, followed by Germany and Spain.