The number of immigrants in the EU has reached a record high of 64.2 million people

By the end of 2025, the number of foreigners residing in the European Union had increased by 2.1 million compared to the previous year. Germany remains the largest destination for immigration, hosting nearly 18 million people, most of whom are of working age. 

This is reported by Reuters. A report by the Center for Migration Research and Analysis indicates that since 2010, the total number of foreign nationals in the bloc has increased by 24.2 million people.

The fastest growth rates were recorded in Spain, where the number of immigrants rose by 700,000, reaching 9.5 million. Meanwhile, Luxembourg, Malta, and Cyprus remain the leaders in terms of the proportion of foreigners relative to their total population. About a quarter of all asylum applications in the EU are filed in Spain, Italy, France, and Germany, with the latter having accepted a total of 2.7 million refugees.

Experts note that migration patterns within the European Union remain uneven. Despite the overall increase in numbers, each member state faces different challenges regarding the integration and employment of new arrivals. The study highlights Germany’s key role as the primary destination for migration flows in Europe, both in absolute and relative terms.

Italian authorities detained a rescue vessel belonging to the German non-governmental organization Sea-Watch. This occurred after the vessel brought dozens of migrants to safety.

Belgian police dismantled a migrant smuggling network operating across three countries.