Austria Records Lowest Asylum Applications Since 2012

Austria has recorded its lowest number of asylum applications since January 2012, according to newly released official data, signaling a sharp decline in migration flows.

The Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum reported that asylum applications in January fell by 51 percent compared with the same month last year, dropping to 945 requests. Authorities said the country has not experienced a comparable reduction in asylum claims in more than a decade.

During the same month, Austria approved 338 asylum applications, while 1,083 individuals were required to leave the country. Officials stated that 57 percent of those departures were enforced removals. Of that group, 41.5 percent had prior criminal records in Austria.

Migration authorities also highlighted the impact of the government’s decision to suspend family reunification procedures for certain refugees, describing the measure as a key factor contributing to the decline in new asylum applications.

The sharp drop in asylum requests reflects broader shifts in European migration policy, as governments tighten border controls and adjust asylum regulations in response to political and security concerns.

Austria’s latest figures underscore changing migration trends across the European Union, with policymakers closely monitoring asylum flows and enforcement measures in 2025.