BRUSSELS, (Unib Rashid) — European countries received around 332,000 applications for international protection during the first half of 2026, marking a 17% decline compared with the same period last year and the lowest first-half figure recorded since 2021.

According to the latest report by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), the downward trend in asylum applications that began in late 2024 continued into the first six months of 2026.

The agency’s “2026 Mid-Year Review” on asylum trends said the changing composition of applicant nationalities — partly reflecting the fragile but continuing political transition in Syria — as well as European Union efforts to strengthen cooperation with countries of origin and transit, contributed to the overall decline.

Importantly, the report noted that asylum applications across EU+ countries did not increase despite escalating tensions and fighting in the Middle East.

Afghan applications decline

Afghan nationals submitted approximately 39,000 asylum applications during the first half of 2026, representing a 7% year-on-year decline.

The report noted that applications from Afghan nationals had risen significantly in late 2025, largely due to repeated applications submitted by Afghan women already present in EU+ countries.

Applications from Venezuelan nationals stood at approximately 33,000, around one-third lower than a year earlier. Spain accounted for 93% of all Venezuelan applications.

Bangladeshi nationals were also among the leading applicant nationalities, with approximately 2,000 applications, an increase of 13% compared with the same period last year.

France receives highest number of applications

France received the highest number of asylum applications, with approximately 69,000, accounting for around one-fifth of the EU+ total.

Italy followed with 66,000 applications, while Spain and Germany each received around 55,000.

Together, these four countries accounted for approximately three-quarters of all asylum applications recorded across the EU+ area during the first half of the year.

On a per-capita basis, Greece recorded the highest rate, with around 23,000 applications, equivalent to approximately one application for every 400 residents.

Less than one-third of initial decisions resulted in protection

During the first half of 2026, the overall recognition rate in EU+ countries stood at 31%, meaning that fewer than one-third of first-instance decisions resulted in international protection being granted.

EU+ countries granted refugee status more frequently than subsidiary protection.

The Asylum Procedure Regulation came into force on 12 June 2026, introducing new requirements for border procedures and accelerated examination procedures. As a result, recognition rates have gained increased importance under the new legal framework.

Under the new rules, where the relevant conditions are met, member states are required to apply border procedures and accelerated procedures to applicants from countries whose average EU first-instance recognition rate during the previous year was below 20%.

Applicants from countries designated as safe countries of origin may also be examined under border procedures, while accelerated procedures become mandatory where the relevant conditions are met.

770,000 cases pending at first instance

At the end of June 2026, approximately 770,000 cases were pending at first instance across EU+ countries, representing an 8% decline compared with a year earlier.

When both administrative and judicial stages are taken into account, the EUAA estimates that the total number of pending cases across the EU+ area stood at approximately 1.18 million.

Among first-instance pending cases, Venezuelan nationals accounted for the largest number, with approximately 129,000 cases, followed by Syrian nationals with 76,000, Colombians with 64,000, Peruvians with 38,000, and Bangladeshis with 36,000.

Pending cases involving Venezuelan nationals increased significantly, rising by 14%, while cases involving Colombian and Peruvian nationals either declined or remained broadly stable.

The overall reduction in the backlog was mainly observed among newer cases, while the number of cases pending for more than six months remained broadly stable.

As a result, older cases accounted for 73% of the total pending caseload, up from 68% a year earlier.

Data provide baseline before new asylum rules

With the implementation of the EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June 2026, the data presented in the EUAA’s 2026 Mid-Year Review largely represent the final dataset under the previous EU asylum rules.

The figures therefore provide an important picture of the situation immediately before the new legal framework came into full effect and offer a useful baseline for assessing future developments under the EU’s revised asylum system.