Fewer Syrians seeking asylum in Europe after change of government in Damascus

The number of asylum seekers in the European Union fell by 23% in the first half of 2025, driven largely by a sharp decline in applications from Syrians, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) said in a statement.

According to Report, which cites The Times of Israel, data shows that Syrians submitted around 25,000 asylum applications across the 27 EU member states, as well as in Switzerland and Norway, a 66% decrease compared to the same period last year.

The report expresses doubt that this drop is linked to changes in European migration policy. Instead, it attributes the decline to the change of government in Syria in December 2024.

"Since the new Syrian authorities have emphasized stability and post-war recovery, many Syrians have become more hopeful about returning home," the EUAA report stated.