According to the report, EU+ countries received 822.000 asylum applications in 2025, 19% fewer than in the previous year and the lowest number since 2021. The decline was linked to political developments in key countries of origin, including Syria, and strengthened cooperation with partner countries, which reduced movements along migration routes. At the same time, around 4.5 million people displaced from Ukraine continued to benefit from temporary protection in the EU.

A central theme of the report is the extensive preparation undertaken by EU+ countries ahead of the entry into application of the Pact on Migration and Asylum in June 2026. National authorities focused on reducing pending cases, strengthening case management systems and adapting reception arrangements, while several countries invested in multipurpose centres where screening, asylum border procedures and return border procedures can take place at the same location. The report also highlights preparations for the new Eurodac system and the transition from the Dublin Regulation to the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation.

The report concludes that 2025 was largely a year of preparation for the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Across the EU+, authorities invested in new procedures, information systems and operational capacities while seeking to reduce existing backlogs. As the new framework enters into application in June 2026, the report suggests that its practical implementation will be closely watched across Europe.

For further details on the report, please consult this page or check the EUAA news.