The EPIK Institute has published data on the impact of visa liberalization on the movement of Kosovo citizens to the European Union, focusing particularly on asylum requests during the first year after the process came into effect.
According to the report, in the first year of visa liberalization, asylum applications from Kosovo citizens to EU countries increased by 144%. However, EPIK notes that this rise was temporary and within expected limits.
In 2024, a total of 5,635 asylum requests were submitted by Kosovo citizens to EU member states. France was the primary destination with 3,150 applications, followed by Germany with 1,665 and Italy with 485 applications.
The institute emphasizes that although the 144% increase may seem high, it is significantly lower compared to other countries in the region during their first year of visa liberalization. In North Macedonia, the increase in asylum seekers reached 895%, in Serbia 356%, and in Albania 166%. Only Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina managed to keep the growth under 100%.
