Syrians Lead Austria’s Shrinking Asylum Numbers Amid Record Low Entries!
Austria continued to see a steep decline in asylum applications in January 2026, with 945 applications recorded — the lowest January total since 2012. This represents a 51 percent drop compared to January 2025 and far outpaces the 17 percent European average decline.
Syrians topped the list of applicants, followed by Afghans and Somalis, while no other nationality submitted more than 50 requests. Only 421 applications were from recent arrivals, showing that most claims were from people already residing in Austria. The suspension of family reunification until mid-year contributed heavily to the decline, with just one person admitted through this route.
Men made up 55 percent of applicants, and adults accounted for 51 percent, suggesting a slight increase in the average age of asylum seekers. Despite the low numbers, Austria approved 338 asylum applications and 315 subsidiary protection cases in January.
During the same period, 1,083 people left the country, with 57 percent forcibly deported. About 41.5 percent of deported individuals had criminal convictions in Austria, highlighting ongoing enforcement alongside declining arrivals.
More than 51,000 people remain in the basic care system, with internally displaced Ukrainians forming the largest group. The total number of beneficiaries dropped by nearly 900 in January, continuing the downward trend in asylum cases and reflecting tighter border controls and reduced new arrivals.