Ireland had fifth highest rate of asylum applications in EU last year
Séan McCárthaigh
Ireland had the fifth highest level of applications from first-time asylum seekers in the EU on a per capita basis last year, although the actual number of applications for international protection fell by 30 per cent.
New figures published by the European Commission show 12,975 individuals made first-time applications for international protection status in Ireland in 2025 – an annual decrease of 5,460.
The figures reveal that Ireland received 2.4 applicants per 1,000 population last year – the fifth highest rate after Greece (5.3 per 1,000); Cyprus and Spain (both 2.9) and Luxembourg (2.6).
The average rate of first-time applications across the EU in 2025 was 1.5 per 1,000 population – down from 2.0 the previous year.
Ireland had the 3rd highest rate in 2024 with 3.4 applicants per 1,000 population after Cyprus and Greece.
The largest number of asylum seekers applying for international protection in Ireland last year came from Somalia with 2,015 – approximately 1 in 6 of all applications.
They were followed by Nigeria (1,910); Pakistan (1,665); Afghanistan (1,290) and Georgia (865).
The five largest countries of origin accounted for over 60 per cent of all asylum applications in Ireland last year.
Jordan, which was the main country of origin for asylum seekers in 2024 with 2,860 applicants, only accounted for 90 similar cases last year.
According to official figures, males aged 18-34 accounted for 39 per cent of all asylum applicants in Ireland in 2025 – just above the EU average of 36 per cent.
The number of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the Republic last year was 210 – down from 235 in 2024.
In December, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said the Government was trying to reduce the number of asylum seekers coming to Ireland in order to prevent “a breakdown in social cohesion.”
However, O’Callaghan declined to offer a number of asylum seekers that he believed would be sustainable.
The Minister published the International Protection Bill 2026 the following month which provides for faster processing of asylum claims with a more efficient decision-making system.
O’Callaghan said the legislation would mean asylum applicants spend less time in IPAS accommodation, while also significantly reducing the cost of the asylum system for the State.
He said those whose applications are refused can also be returned to their country of origin sooner.
Overall, the latest figures show there was a 27 per cent decrease in first-time asylum applications across the EU in 2025, with numbers down in 24 member states including Ireland.
The only countries to record small increases in asylum applications last year were Latvia, Lithuania and Hungary.
A total of 669,400 individuals applied for international protection across the 27 EU member states – down from 912,400 in 2024 and the lowest annual total in the last four years.
Venezuela overtook Syria as the main country of origin for asylum seekers in the EU, with approximately 89,500 Venezuelans applying for international protection – 13 per cent of all applications.
Afghanistan was the country of origin of the second highest number of applicants – 63,800 representing 10 per cent of the total.
Syria, which was the main country of origin for asylum seekers to the EU for the previous decade, accounted for the third highest total last year with 40,000 – 6 per cent of all applicants.
Official figures show Spain received the highest number of applications, accounting for more than 1 in 5 of all asylum seekers in the EU.
A total of 141,000 first-time asylum applications were made in Spain in 2025 – 21 per cent of the total.
Spain was followed by Italy (126,000 – 19 per cent); France (116,400 – 17 per cent); Germany (113,200 – 17 per cent) and Greece (55,400 – 8 per cent) with those five countries accounting for 83 per cent of all cases last year.
