The latest data released by the National Court of Asylum reveals a historic statistical milestone: asylum grants in France have reached an unprecedented peak.
In 2025, a record 78,782 individuals were granted asylum, marking a 12 percent increase over the previous year. The recognition rate has also climbed to an all-time high of 52.1 percent – or 47.1 percent when excluding unaccompanied minors.
The initial stage of the asylum process is managed by the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA). If a claim is denied, applicants may appeal to the National Court of Asylum. While various forms of protection exist, the ultimate goal for many is the status of “refugee,” as it opens rights similar to those of the French in most areas, including social welfare, education, and housing.
The asylum system remains highly accessible, despite President Emmanuel Macron saying year after year that France needs to reduce immigration, just as he did in 2023.
“Are we flooded with immigration? No. You cannot say that. But the current situation is not sustainable, and we need to reduce immigration significantly, starting with illegal immigration. We have a duty to deliver,” the French president said at the time.
Polling shows the vast majority of French want a reduction in immigration, and even a majority of women want zero immigration, both legal and illegal.
France already has the largest Muslim population in Europe, leading to serious cultural, societal, and even security problems. Unlike policies debated or implemented in nations like Italy or Denmark, which seek to reduce the ability for individuals to apply for asylum, France has very generous laws, including allowing those already present on French soil to apply for asylum directly. This creates a significant challenge for the state, as even when applications are denied, authorities have an extremely difficult time removing people. Macron, for instance, stated his goal was a 100 percent deportation rate. France’s actual deportation rate has remained in the teens since then, averaging around 15 percent.
In fact, France has gone from record to record in terms of overall immigration every single year. Last year, Remix News reported that a record 6 million foreigners live in France, after a record 400,000 migrants arrived in the country in 2024. Earlier this year, Remix News reported that a record number of first-time residency permits were issued in 2025.
Nevertheless, despite soaring public pressure, more asylum applications are being approved than ever. Even during the peak of the 2015 migration crisis, France did not grant asylum at these levels. Wars continue to be a major factor. For the second consecutive year, Ukrainians represent the largest group of asylum seekers, followed closely by nationals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan.
Beyond geopolitics, the increasingly broad jurisprudence of the National Court of Asylum plays a pivotal role. In 2025, the court recognized automatic refugee status for all people from the Gaza Strip, then from the West Bank. In other words, Palestinians have almost virtually unlimited access to French territory.
The court also recognized an automatic right to women from Iran and Somalia, which are deemed unfriendly states for women.
Similar protections were extended to homosexual individuals from Egypt, Guatemala, and, as of late 2024, Sri Lanka.
Once again, this liberal attitude towards asylum is not backed by the French public, with polling showing that 61 percent of the French want the right of asylum restricted in the country.
According to the BVoltaire publication, there is an “urgent call to reform. Proponents argue that France must consider renegotiating international conventions and amending the Constitution, asserting that both the efficiency of the State and the preservation of French identity are currently at risk.”
