Austria Asylum Applications Hit 23-Year Low

Asylum applications in Austria dropped 44 percent in the first half of 2026, reaching the lowest level in approximately 23 years.

Austria recorded 4,903 asylum applications in the first half of 2026, down from approximately 8,800 in the same period of 2025. For the first time in over 20 years, deportations exceeded new applications, with more than 7,000 removals occurring by June. Of the total applications, 2,016 were from newly arrived persons, 2,399 involved minors, and 48 people entered via family reunification. Syria and Afghanistan each accounted for about one quarter of applications. Between January and June 11, 16 percent of applicants were granted asylum, including 76 percent of Iranians and 69 percent of Afghans, while Syrian acceptance fell to 32 percent. Currently, 15,278 procedures remain open. As of July 1, 45,139 people were in basic care, including 5,500 asylum seekers and a 60 percent majority of Ukrainian war refugees.