Fewer Ukrainians seeking asylum push Germany out of EU’s top spot
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Ukrainians in central Berlin on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Feb. 24, 2026 (Photo: REUTERS/Nadja Wohlleben)
Germany received far fewer asylum applications in the first
three months of 2026, including from Ukrainians, Deutsche
Welle reported, citing a confidential European Commission report.
Germany registered 28,922 asylum applications from January
through March, down 23% from the same period in 2025, DW said.
The drop pushed Germany to fourth place among EU countries
for asylum applications for the first time since 2015. For years, it had topped
the bloc’s rankings.
France recorded the highest number of asylum applications in
the first quarter, with 34,643, followed by Spain with 32,630 and Italy with
32,602.
At the other end of the scale were Hungary, with 26
applications, and Slovakia, with 35. DW said those countries redirect migrants
to other EU states and remain among the least attractive destinations for
asylum seekers because of poor treatment.
Across the EU, the largest numbers of asylum applications
came from Venezuelans, with 21,542, Afghans, with 21,402, and Bangladeshis,
with 9,738.
DW also said asylum applications from Syrians across Europe
fell 63% compared with the first quarter of last year.
EU countries registered 4,073 asylum applications from
Ukrainian citizens in the first three months of 2026, down 57% from the same
period in 2025.
Experts say the sharp drop in applications from Syrians and
Ukrainians was a key reason for Germany’s overall decline, since people from
those two countries had made up the largest share of applicants in previous
years.
Observers also pointed to a tougher EU migration policy
under European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner,
along with the hard-line approach of German Interior Minister Alexander
Dobrindt.
On April 14, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin
supports Ukraine’s efforts to curb the departure of military-age men to
European Union countries.
In November 2025, Bild reported that the German government
had reached a preliminary agreement to change the social support system for
Ukrainians. Under the proposal, those who arrived after April 1, 2025, would be
treated as asylum seekers rather than people under temporary protection,
changing both their legal status and their benefits.
In December, Dutch Housing Minister Mona Keijzer said
Amsterdam plans to introduce three-year residence permits for Ukrainian
refugees. The permits are due to take effect in 2027, when temporary protection
in the European Union is set to expire.
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