Belgium's asylum protection rate falls below 30 per cent, number of applications also drops
The protection rate for asylum seekers in Belgium fell sharply last year, falling below 30 per cent for the first time since 2013. The number of asylum applications in Belgium also declined. The figures were presented on Tuesday during the publication of the 2025 asylum and reception statistics.
The protection rate refers to the share of decisions in which the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) grants refugee status or subsidiary protection. In 2025, the protection rate in Belgium stood at 28.4 per cent, down from 47.2 per cent the year before. The last time the rate fell below 30 per cent was in 2013.
One key factor was the temporary suspension of the processing of Syrian asylum cases in most of 2025, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Syrians had long been the largest group of asylum seekers in Belgium. Since the start of the civil war, around 44,000 Syrians received a positive decision on their application.
In addition, the CGRS prioritised cases involving people with so-called "M status". These applicants already hold protection status in another EU member state and are no longer eligible for reception in Belgium under the new rules, meaning their chances of protection are limited.
2 out of 3 applications declined
Overall, 67 per cent of applicants received a negative decision. Refugee status, based on a well-founded fear of targeted persecution - for example because of religion or sexual orientation - was granted in 27 per cent of cases. Another two per cent received subsidiary protection, intended for people facing serious risks due to war or torture.
Afghans were the largest group granted refugee status, followed by Eritreans, Somalis, Palestinians and Turks. Subsidiary protection was mainly granted to Yemenis, followed by Eritreans and Sudanese.
Asylum applications also declined last year. A total of 34,439 people applied for asylum in Belgium, compared with 39,615 in 2024. In 2023, there were 35,507 applications and in 2022, 36,871. The decline was particularly pronounced in the final four months of 2025, exceeding the European average.
Syrian asylum applications dropped by 74 per cent between 2024 and 2025. Applications from Palestinians fell by 40 per cent, from Somalis by 30 per cent and from Iraqis by 21 per cent. The main countries of origin in 2025 were, in order: Palestine, Eritrea, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Turkey.
Second Dublin centre planned
The government is investing in additional capacity in closed centres and plans to open a second Dublin centre by the end of 2026. This centre will accommodate asylum seekers who previously applied in another EU country, pending their return either to their country of origin or to the first country of application. Its location has not yet been decided.
"After a legislative period marked by rising inflows, emergency solutions and a sense of powerlessness, we are now seeing a turnaround," said Asylum and Migration minister Annelies Van Bossuyt. She added that new measures would be announced shortly, without providing further details.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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