Statistics from Eurostat show fewer people applied for asylum in Europe. This happened in December 2025. Both the European Union and countries like Cyprus saw a drop. This might make things easier for governments. However, asylum processes are still complex.
Cyprus received fewer new applications in December 2025. It had 130 new requests. This is less than 165 in November. Repeat applications also went down. Last year, Cyprus had 230 first-time applications. This shows a clear change in Cyprus.
Across the EU, asylum applications dropped by 23% in December 2025. This was compared to the year before. In total, 47,650 people sought protection. Most applicants were from Venezuela, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Syria. Many applications went to Italy, Spain, France, and Germany.
The report also looked at children seeking asylum alone. In December 2025, 1,330 unaccompanied minors applied. They came mostly from Somalia, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Egypt, and Eritrea. The Netherlands, Greece, Germany, Spain, and Belgium received the most.
Eurostat also shared information about asylum decisions. In the last three months of 2025, the EU made 229,735 decisions. About 45% of these applications were accepted. Many people got refugee status. Germany, Spain, and France made many positive decisions. Afghans, Venezuelans, and Syrians often received protection.
The drop in new asylum seekers may help Cyprus. However, repeat applications and old cases are still a problem. The number of asylum seekers changes often. This shows the challenges European countries face. The exact reasons for the decrease need more study. But the numbers show less pressure on the EU's asylum systems.