Asylum applications in Austria fall by 44 percent in first half-year

The minister drew a far-reaching conclusion from this: "For the first time in over 20 years, more people have been deported than new asylum applications have been filed," said Karner. He also spoke once again of a "negative net migration" that needed to be secured. Specifically, according to the Ministry, 2,000 initial applications are set against 2,200 persons with asylum status who have left Austria.

Countries of origin and recognition rates

Of the 4,903 applications, 2,016 (41 percent) were initial applications from newly arrived persons. The remaining applications concerned children born subsequently, family reunifications, and repeat applications. Via family reunification, only 48 persons entered Austria by the end of June. Among initial applications, Afghan nationals formed the largest group with 420 persons, followed by Syrians (188) and Iranians (171).

A closer look at the countries of origin shows that Syria and Afghanistan, with 1,227 and 1,186 applications respectively, each accounted for around a quarter of applications in the first half-year. Somalia accounted for a share of seven percent, while Iran, Turkey, and Russia each reached five percent. A total of 2,399 of the applications filed concerned minors, of whom 1,557 were male and 947 female.

Basic welfare and pending proceedings

Recognition rates differ considerably depending on the country of origin. According to the Ministry, applications by Iranian nationals were approved in 76 percent of cases, and Afghan applications in 69 percent. By contrast, Syrian applications were approved in only 32 percent of cases – down from 67 percent in 2024. Between the beginning of the year and June 11, a total of 27 percent of applications were rejected, 16 percent received asylum, 15 percent received subsidiary protection, and a further 16 percent were denied subsidiary protection.

As of the reporting date of July 1, according to the Interior Ministry, 45,139 persons were in basic welfare provision. Around 5,500 of these were asylum seekers. Almost 60 percent of the persons cared for are Ukrainians displaced by war, and around 22 percent come from Syria. According to the Ministry, 15,278 asylum proceedings are still open, nearly half of which concern Syrians.

Classification in EU comparison

In an EU comparison, Austria recorded – together with Poland – the sharpest decline in asylum applications. According to the Interior Ministry, the downward trend in application figures in Austria has continued since 2023. Elisabeth Wenger-Donig, the responsible head of division at the Interior Ministry, drew a positive conclusion regarding the implementation of the new EU asylum pact, which at the time of her statement had been in force for 39 days. Implementation of the pact is fully underway in Austria.

The reduction of accommodation facilities to eight has led to significant cost savings, according to Andreas Achrainer, head of the Federal Care Agency. Achrainer also explained that the remaining asylum applications in the first half-year concerned children born subsequently, family reunifications, and repeat applications.