Asylum seekers in the European Union have declined by 17% this summer, with Syrians being the largest group. Germany, Spain, Italy, and France continue to have the most cases. Syrians, Venezuelans, and Afghans are among the top nationalities seeking asylum in the EU. Germany, Spain, Italy, and France are processing 76% of all first-time applications in the EU, with Germany tightening its borders and allowing law enforcement to reject more migrants. The majority of underaged asylum seekers are from Syria, Afghanistan, and Egypt, with most children applying for asylum in Germany, Bulgaria, Greece, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Migration remains a significant issue for EU member states, despite the drop in asylum applications. Several countries have announced new tighter border controls in response to the ongoing migrant crisis. Germany has tightened its land borders and allowed law enforcement to reject more migrants at the border. Temporary border controls have been set up at land crossings with countries such as France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. The Dutch government has also expressed its intention to request an opt-out clause from the EU’s migration and asylum rules.
The decline in asylum applications has not diminished the importance of addressing migration in the EU. The issue of migration has forced its way to the top of the agenda for EU member states. Asylum seekers from Syria, Venezuela, and Afghanistan continue to be among the top nationalities seeking asylum in the EU. Germany, Spain, Italy, and France are still processing the majority of first-time applications. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the need to strengthen controls at national borders until a strong protection of the EU’s external borders is achieved through the new Common European Asylum System.
The majority of underaged asylum seekers in the EU come from Syria, Afghanistan, and Egypt. Germany, Bulgaria, Greece, the Netherlands, and Spain are the top countries where children apply for asylum. Despite the drop in asylum applications, the issue of migration remains a hot topic across EU member states. Germany, Spain, Italy, and France continue to face the most cases of asylum seekers. Asylum seekers from Syria, Venezuela, and Afghanistan account for a significant portion of first-time applicants. Tighter border controls have been implemented in several EU countries, with Germany tightening its land borders and allowing law enforcement to reject more migrants.
