Repeat asylum claims rise in EU as Afghan nationals lead first-time applications

Repeat asylum claims rise in EU as Afghan nationals lead first-time applications
Anadolu Agency

The number of repeat asylum applications rose in the European Union in August this year, with 13,780 submitted – a 117% increase compared with August 2024 and a 20% rise from July 2025, according to the latest figures.

Afghan nationals were the largest group of first-time applicants, with 5,260 claims, followed by Venezuelans (5,180), Syrians (2,825) and Bangladeshis (2,785).

France (9,735), Italy (9,075), Spain (8,470) and Germany (7,800) accounted for 68% of all first-time applications.

Across the EU, there were 11.4 first-time applicants per 100,000 people, with the highest rate in Greece (65.2), followed by the Greek Cypriot Administration (23.9) and Belgium (20.2).

In August, 1,840 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum for the first time.

The largest numbers came from Egypt (385), Afghanistan (200), Somalia (195) and Eritrea (190), with Greece (515), the Netherlands (335) and Germany (240) being the main destinations for these children.

However, the number of first-time asylum applicants in the European Union fell by 27% in August 2025, Eurostat data shows. A total of 51,465 people applied for international protection for the first time, down from 70,290 in August 2024 and 55,390 in July 2025.

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