Asylum applications down by nearly a third since Minister Van Bossuyt’s crisis policy

At the start of the year, Belgium was bracing for up to 50,000 asylum applications. In the end, the number stopped at 34,439. That’s according to figures from the Immigration Office. “Belgium’s days as a top destination for asylum seekers are over,” says Minister of Asylum and Migration Nicole Van Bossuyt. “But there’s still more work to be done.”

Downward trend

The most significant drop came in the autumn, once Minister Van Bossuyt’s crisis measures took effect. In just four months (September to December), a clear shift occurred: applications dropped by 28% compared to the same period in 2024 — nearly one third fewer.

Belgium also stands out at the European level. In 2024, asylum applications in Belgium were still up by 12%, while the EU average showed a 12% decrease over the same timeframe. In 2025, the trend reversed: Belgium now follows the same downward trajectory as the EU, with a 13.1% drop year-on-year. In recent months, the decline has even outpaced the European average. Step by step, Belgium is closing the gap.

Targeted measures with real impact

Over the past few months, the government has introduced targeted measures to prevent abuse, such as scrapping return premiums, tightening border checks, and ending reception for asylum seekers who already have protection in another EU member state. The results are clear: 81% fewer people with such status arrived in Belgium compared to the period from August to December 2024.

Family reunification rules have also been tightened, and starting this year, access to social welfare will be linked to integration efforts.

But it doesn’t stop there. In 2026, Minister Van Bossuyt will introduce additional crisis measures to further reduce inflows. “We’ve only implemented part of what’s in the Arizona coalition agreement. In the months ahead, we’ll take further steps — also within the European framework — to make Belgium less attractive for unfounded asylum claims.”

Last hotel to close

Thanks to the lower influx, hotel accommodation for asylum seekers is being phased out. Four reception hotels have already closed. The fifth — and final — will shut its doors at the end of January. “These hotels were a symptom of the previous government’s lax policy, which turned a blind eye for far too long,” says Van Bossuyt. “With the Arizona agreement, we’re changing course: reception will be scaled back to the bare essentials. Belgium went too far for too long — and we’re putting an end to that.”