Germany No Longer Asylum Leader Shockwaves Felt
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Germany No Longer Asylum Leader Shockwaves Felt

The number of asylum applications in Germany has fallen nearly by half during the first six months of this year. A total of 65,495 asylum applications were filed within the country during this period, representing a 43 percent decrease compared to the same timeframe last year.

This information, reported by “Welt am Sonntag” originates from previously unpublished figures released by the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA). The data is detailed in a confidential report from the EU Commission, dated July 3, 2025, outlining the migration situation within the EU and associated third countries.

Germany has, for the first time in several years, relinquished its position as the leading recipient of asylum applications within Europe during the first six months of a calendar year. Spain registered 76,020 applications, followed by France with 75,428. Germany now ranks third, trailed by Italy (62,534), Greece (27,718) and Belgium (17,285). Hungary (47 applications), Slovakia (84) and Lithuania (152) have the fewest.

The majority of asylum seekers in Germany originate from Afghanistan (22 percent), Syria (20 percent) and Turkey (11 percent). Individuals from Russia comprise 3.1 percent of applicants – the fifth-largest group within the country.

Across the European Union, including Norway and Switzerland, a total of 388,299 individuals submitted asylum applications between the beginning of January and the end of June. This constitutes a 23 percent decrease compared to the first half of 2024. Venezuela (48,413), Afghanistan (41,127) and Syria (23,307) are the leading countries of origin for asylum seekers within the EU. Spain is the primary destination for Venezuelans, while Germany is the preferred choice for Afghan and Syrian applicants.

Lena Düpont, an EU migration expert from the CDU, attributes the decrease, in part, to seasonal factors and enhanced cooperation between third countries and the EU border agency, Frontex, alongside partnerships established with key North African nations.

However, EU officials are increasingly concerned by the recent surge in migration from Libya. The Greek island of Crete, in particular, is reportedly struggling with insufficient reception capacity.

According to the confidential EU Commission report, 91,000 refugees were residing in Libya as of June 1, 2025 – a 61 percent increase compared to January 1, 2024. This increase is largely attributed to refugees fleeing the ongoing civil conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan, with many intending to continue their journey towards Europe.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner is scheduled to travel to Libya next week (July 12th) to engage in discussions with government representatives from several EU Mediterranean countries. International human rights organizations are raising concerns about a deterioration in the sentiment towards migrants from other African nations within Libya and the ongoing impacts of the country’s protracted civil war, which is impacting the local population.