New asylum center in Europe: France surpasses Germany in the number of applications from refugees

The migration map of the European Union will undergo significant changes in 2025. For the first time in many years, the main center of attracting asylum applications was not Germany, which traditionally led the European system of refugee protection, but France. This change is not just a formal shift in the ranking, it reflects deeper trends in politics, geopolitics, societal attitudes and state practices. For Ukrainians who are abroad or just planning to apply for international protection, it is important to understand these trends not as abstract statistics, but as a real impact on the routes, priorities, opportunities and challenges of the migration strategy. Each EU country has its own procedures for considering asylum applications, its own approaches to adaptation, integration and social security. And that is why the change of the leader in the number of appeals is not just news from the bulletin of the statistical office, but a signal for those who are looking for protection and stability in a new country.

France is the new center of migration in the EU

In the first quarter of 2025, France registered 40,871 asylum applications for refugees, which allowed it to take first place among all EU countries. Thus, for the first time in a decade, the main destination for those seeking protection in Europe was not Germany, but rather France.

This indicator has certain reasons. After a long period when France was lagging behind other countries in terms of accepting migrants, it is showing increasing openness and active participation in the international protection system. It is important that among the main applicants in France now are citizens of Ukraine. This proves two things: firstly, Ukrainians are increasingly actively considering France as an alternative to classical destinations such as Germany; secondly, France is ready to play the role of a receiving country even in the conditions of political challenges that the migration issue causes inside the country.

Germany — a 41% decrease in rates

Germany, which for many years was the main center of asylum in Europe, was left behind this year. In January-March 2025, the country received 37,387 applications, which is 41% less than in the first quarter of 2024.

The reasons for this decline are not only technical or statistical. In fact, Germany is gradually moving to a stricter migration control policy. These are both new border measures and efforts to optimize the financial burden on federal budgets. These actions are caused both by internal political tension around the topic of migration, and by Berlin’s efforts to reduce the influx of new asylum seekers in the face of changing government priorities.

The geographical composition of the applicants remains unchanged: Syrians, Afghans, Turks. But Ukrainians are increasingly looking for an alternative — and France is becoming one of the main options.

Spain is the third direction and stable growth

The third place in terms of the number of submitted applications in the EU was taken by Spain – 39,318 applications. The Spanish case is interesting in that it demonstrates a steady increase in asylum applications over recent years. The geographical location of the country, its historical ties with Latin America and Africa, softer social policies – all this makes Spain increasingly attractive to refugees from the countries of the south and west.

For Ukrainians, Spain remains less popular than Germany or France, but there is also a growing interest here, especially among those looking for a milder climate and broader social programs.

Countries with the minimum number of applications: Slovakia and Hungary

Slovakia and Hungary are in the last positions in the EU ranking in terms of the number of asylum applications. For the first quarter of 2025:

• Slovakia received only 37 applications;
• Hungary — only 22.

This is not only a result of geography or demography, but primarily a consequence of a purposeful policy of limiting migration. Both countries have repeatedly declared a tough approach to refugee protection and show limited willingness to integrate new arrivals. In this context, Hungary is an exception in the EU rather than the rule.

Pan-European trends

In general, in the countries of the European Union, as well as in Switzerland and Norway, in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease in the number of asylum applications was recorded by 19% compared to the same period in 2024. However, this general decline does not mean uniformity. On the contrary, there is a significant increase in individual countries of origin of the applicants:

• Venezuela — 25,375 applications, +44%;
• China — +87%;
• India — +56%;
• Ukraine — an increase of 84%.

This shows that the European protection system is facing an increasingly complex structure of needs — geographically heterogeneous, politically sensitive, and socially tense.

Ukrainians remain one of the key groups of refugees in Europe. The increase in the number of applications from Ukrainian citizens by 84% is evidence not only of the continuation of the war, but also of the growing needs for legal recognition, stability and long-term protection. It is important to realize that the change of leaders in the admission system is a signal for Ukrainians to review their routes, understand the political climate in each country, take into account the experience of their compatriots and — most importantly — not rely only on the number of applications as an indicator of the quality of protection.

France, Germany, Spain — each of them has its pros and cons. But before making a decision, it is worth consulting with human rights organizations, checking information from official sources and understanding that even in a changing Europe, the principle of legality, transparency and awareness remains the main thing.