EUAA mid-year review shows continued reduction in asylum applications across EU+ countries

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) released its mid-year report for 2026, highlighting a continued decrease in asylum applications across EU+ countries, which include the 27 EU Member States, Norway, and Switzerland. The report notes a 17% drop in asylum applications during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, marking the lowest level since 2021. The reduction was influenced primarily by fewer applications from Venezuelan, Syrian, Colombian, Ukrainian, and Turkish nationals, though Afghans submitted the most applications. France, Italy, Spain, and Germany received the majority of applications, collectively accounting for about three-quarters of the total. Despite the decline in applications, the rate at which these applications were granted protection status (refugee or subsidiary protection) remained low, similar to 2025 levels. The EU's migration strategy emphasizes cooperation with partner countries to manage migration effectively, focusing on border control, combating smuggling, managing returns, and enhancing legal migration pathways.