Uniform rules on asylum applications

Facts and figures on asylum applications in the EU

The common European asylum system sets common minimum standards for the treatment of asylum seekers. In practice asylum seekers are not treated uniformly, and recognition rates vary among member states.

As a result, many asylum seekers move within the EU in search of the best country in which to apply for asylum. This phenomenon is known as ‘asylum shopping’.

In 2023, 1 129 795 non-EU citizens applied for asylum in the EU. These figures include both first-time asylum applicants and subsequent applications. The infographic also shows:

• trends in the numbers of asylum seekers in the EU 
• countries of origin of asylum applicants
• number of applications per EU country

Revised EU rules to treat asylum applicants fairly

The legislation aims to ensure that all asylum applicants are treated in the same way across member states. The revised rules define: 

common criteria for the identification of persons genuinely in need of international protection

common rights for those persons in all member states

Work on the migration and asylum pact

In July 2017, EU ambassadors agreed a mandate for negotiations on the draft rules for the qualification of asylum applicants and harmonised rights and benefits for beneficiaries of international protection across the EU. The negotiations with the Parliament were finalised in 2022.

On 8 February 2024, EU member states’ representatives endorsed the deal reached between the Council and the Parliament in 2022.

The Council adopted the EU's pact on migration and asylum on 14 May 2024.

• Common European asylum system reform: Council ready to start negotiations on qualification and protection standards (press release, 19 July 2017)
• Asylum and migration reform: EU member states’ representatives green light deal with European Parliament (press release, 8 February 2024)
• The Council adopts the EU's pact on migration and asylum (press release, 14 May 2024)