Afghans Become Second-Largest Asylum Seekers in Europe

Afghans Become Second-Largest Asylum Seekers in Europe

Afghans were the second-largest group of asylum seekers in Europe in the first half of 2025, trailing only Venezuelans, according to the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA).

The EUAA reported that Europe registered about 399,000 asylum applications between January and June, a 23% drop compared with last year. Officials attributed the decline largely to the sharp fall in Syrian claims after the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.

Despite sporadic violence and Israeli airstrikes in Syria, the formation of a new government under Ahmed Shara has encouraged many to return. The UN refugee agency said more than 500,000 Syrians have gone back to their country since May.

Afghan claims, however, have remained consistently high since the Taliban takeover in 2021. EU and International Organization for Migration data show Afghans remain among the top five nationalities seeking asylum across Europe, citing insecurity and restrictions under Taliban rule, particularly for women.

In the United Kingdom, nearly 34,000 Afghans have applied for asylum since October 2021, most arriving through irregular routes, while more than 35,000 were resettled under official British schemes. Germany also reported 104,012 Afghan asylum applications between January and August 2025, the highest of any nationality, though Berlin has since tightened entry rules.

With Germany making entry more difficult, Spain, Italy, and France are now emerging as key destinations for Afghan migrants. The shift reflects changing migration patterns across the continent as governments adjust asylum policies.

Meanwhile, overall asylum requests are declining, the persistence of Afghan applications underscores the enduring impact of Taliban rule and Afghanistan’s political and humanitarian crisis.