Sharp decline in asylum applications from Syria to Europe by 66% during the first half of 2025

Recent data released by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) on Monday showed that asylum applications submitted by Syrian citizens to EU countries recorded an unprecedented decline of about 66% during the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year.

This significant decline is attributed to political changes within Syria, primarily the overthrow of the Baath regime in December 2024, which has led many Syrians to reconsider the option of migration, with increasing hopes of being able to return and contribute to rebuilding their communities.

According to the report, Syria is no longer at the top of the list of countries with the most asylum requests, having dropped to third place after Venezuela and Afghanistan, while the total number of asylum applications to the EU during the same period was about 399,000, reflecting an overall decrease of 23%.

The agency indicates that this decline is not related to changes in European immigration policies, but rather reflects a change in the motivations for asylum among Syrians, amid discussions of relative stability in some areas and the new authorities' focus on reconstruction.