In the first half of 2025, the number of asylum applications in Germany has seen a notable decline compared to the same period in 2024, as reported by various German media outlets. According to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, there were approximately 65,495 applications submitted between January 1 and June 30, a decrease of 43% from the previous year. Another source, BILD, reported that there were only 61,300 first-time applications during this timeframe. Notably, June 2025 recorded fewer than 7,000 new applications, marking a 60% decrease from June 2024 and a shocking 70% reduction from figures two years prior, setting a new low in monthly applications since March 2013.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the Christian Social Union (CSU) views this significant drop in asylum applications as a testament to the success of his controversial migration policies. In comments to BILD, he asserted that the decline serves as evidence for the effectiveness of a "migration turnaround" and expressed his commitment to overhauling the German migration system. His perspective is shared by Lena Düpont, a Member of the European Parliament and migration expert from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who attributes the decline to successful partnership agreements with key North African nations and improved cooperation with the EU’s border protection agency, Frontex.
In a broader European context, Spain recorded the largest number of asylum applications in the first half of 2025, totaling over 76,020. France followed closely with 75,428 applications, while Germany secured third place with 65,495 applications. Italy saw 62,534 applications, Greece registered 27,718, and Belgium received just over 17,000 applications. On the lower end of the scale, Hungary, under a strict immigration policy led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, noted only 47 applications, while Slovakia and Lithuania received 84 and 152 applications, respectively.
The demographic makeup of asylum seekers in Germany reveals that approximately 22% were from Afghanistan, while Syrians accounted for around 20% and Turkish nationals made up 11% of the total applications. Russians also comprised a significant portion, representing over 3% of applicants. On a continental scale, close to 400,000 people applied for asylum across EU countries, Norway, and Switzerland during the first six months of this year, reflecting a 23% decrease from the previous year’s figures.
The leading nationalities of asylum applicants in Europe included Venezuelans, Afghans, and Syrians, with applications totaling about 50,000, 41,000, and 23,000, respectively. This shift in the dynamics of asylum applications may signify changing patterns in migration trends as various geopolitical factors influence the landscape of refugee movements.
The overall drop in asylum applications in Germany and Europe raises questions about the future of migration policies and their effectiveness in addressing the challenges posed by refugees and asylum seekers. Policymakers are likely to reassess their strategies as they navigate the complexities of international migration, focusing on partnerships with source countries and enhancing border security measures while balancing humanitarian obligations.
