A recent analysis, based on unpublished figures from the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) and reported by “Welt am Sonntag,” indicates a significant decrease in the number of asylum applications filed in Germany during the first half of 2026.
Between January and June, Germany recorded a total of 51,147 asylum applications-covering both initial and secondary applications. This figure represents a 27 percent drop compared to the similar period in the previous year, which accounted for 70,000 applications. Consequently, Germany now ranks fourth within the EU plus Norway and Switzerland (EU+). France leads the ranking with 65,538 applications, followed by Italy (63,985) and Spain (53,888). Hungary (49), Slovakia (66), and Lithuania (130) recorded the fewest applications.
In terms of origin, the majority of asylum seekers in Germany came from Afghanistan (37 percent), Turkey, and Syria (each accounted for 9 percent).
Across the entire EU, a total of 321,627 people applied for protection between January and the end of June. This represents a 19.3 percent decline compared to the first half of 2025 (when the total was 399,000). The main countries of origin for those seeking protection in the EU were Afghanistan (37,419), Venezuela (33,754), and Bangladesh (18,970). Germany is the top destination country for Afghan refugees, while Spain attracts Venezuelans and Italy is the primary destination for asylum seekers from Bangladesh.
These figures originate from a confidential report published by the EU Commission on July 2, 2026, assessing the state of migration in the EU and third countries (titled “Integration Situation Awareness and Analysis,” Report No. 533).
