The Diplomat
Spain was the European Union member state that received the most asylum applications in January 2026, with 10,860 initial applications, followed by Italy (10,660), France (9,290), and Germany (7,645). Together, these four countries accounted for 75 percent of the total.
Asylum applications in the European Union, according to data published this Wednesday by Eurostat, reached a total of 51,160 initial applications from non-EU citizens in January 2026, compared to 66,745 registered in January 2025 and 47,650 in December 2025. This represents a year-on-year decrease of 23 percent and a month-on-month increase of seven percent.
Over the recent period, figures show an increase to over 100,000 monthly applications in 2023, followed by a gradual decline during 2024 and 2025, settling at around 50,000 applications by early 2026.
Subsequent applications reached 9,500 in January 2026, up from 8,710 in January 2025 and 9,240 in December 2025, representing increases of nine and three percent, respectively.
By nationality, applicants from Venezuela led the volume with 7,300 initial applications, followed by Afghanistan (4,790), Bangladesh (2,940), and Egypt (2,280).
Regarding destination countries, Spain received 10,860 initial applications, Italy 10,660, France 9,290, and Germany 7,645, which together represent 75 percent of the total. In relation to population, the European Union average was 11.4 applicants per 100,000 inhabitants, while Greece reached 46.7, Spain 22.1, and Ireland 20.1.
The number of unaccompanied minors applying for asylum for the first time was 1,220. Among them, 270 came from Egypt, 175 from Somalia, 155 from Venezuela, 140 from Afghanistan, and 70 from Sudan. In host countries, Greece registered 375 cases, Germany 200, Spain 170, the Netherlands 135, and France 110.
