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Cyprus recorded 130 first-time asylum applications in December 2025, down from 165 in November, according to new figures from the European Statistics Office (Eurostat). Repeat applications also fell slightly, to 95, compared with 105 the previous month.
The numbers mark a sharp drop compared with December 2024, when 230 first-time applications were submitted, while repeat applications were 40. Despite the decline, Cyprus remains part of the broader European picture: across the EU, 47,650 people applied for international protection in December 2025, down 23% from the same month a year earlier.
Venezuelans made up the largest group of first-time applicants in the EU, followed by Afghans, Bangladeshis, and Syrians. Italy, Spain, France, and Germany accounted for nearly three-quarters of all applications. In Cyprus, the figures reflect the island’s role as a small but active entry point for people seeking protection in Europe.
Eurostat also reported that 1,330 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum across the EU in December. The majority came from Somalia, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Egypt, and Eritrea. Countries receiving the highest numbers of unaccompanied children included the Netherlands, Greece, Germany, Spain, and Belgium.
The fourth quarter of 2025 saw a total of 229,735 first-instance asylum decisions across the EU, with 45% of claims approved. Of those granted protection, more than half received refugee status, while the rest were given humanitarian or subsidiary protection. Germany, Spain, and France issued the most positive decisions, and the top beneficiaries were Afghans, Venezuelans, and Syrians.
For Cyprus, the data seems to show a cautious shift: fewer new applicants are arriving, but the number of repeat applications and ongoing cases continues to challenge local authorities, highlighting the need for sustained support and efficient processing.
