Belgium witnesses a sharp decline in asylum applications after emergency immigration measures
Belgium received 34,439 asylum applications in 2025, which is about a third less than expected, after the government implemented emergency policies to curb the rising influx of migrants. The largest decline was recorded between September and December, with monthly applications dropping by 28% compared to the same period in 2024.
The measures led by Minister of Immigration Annelien Van Bossuyt include speeding up the examination of applications not based on clear grounds, expanding repatriation agreements with countries such as Georgia and Albania, and tightening the rules regarding the duration of stay in reception centers for individuals who have already received protection in another EU country.
To address the backlog of appeals, the government has also increased the number of staff in the Council for the Litigation of Foreigners. Minister Annelien Van Bossuyt stated that the reforms have helped to end Belgium's image as an 'easy entry' gate for asylum seekers and made the trends more in line with the rest of the European Union, where applications have decreased by 13% over the past year.
Organizations like Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen criticized the policy, warning that it could violate international protection standards and possibly push pressures onto neighboring countries, which could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis regarding the rights of asylum seekers.
The government is preparing a second legislative package aimed at expediting the deportation processes for rejected asylum seekers, which may also tighten the rules for granting work permits to employers who rely on humanitarian work programs.