Denmark's Refugee Board sees sharp rise in asylum case processing times

The processing time for spontaneous asylum cases in Denmark has seen a notable increase in 2025, averaging 166 days. This represents a significant jump from the previous years, with the average processing time recorded at 98 days in 2023 and 113 days in 2024.

According to the Danish Refugee Appeals Board's annual report for 2025, this rise in processing times is due to two primary factors. Firstly, the cases themselves have become increasingly complex. This complexity is partly linked to the unstable security situations in various countries from which asylum seekers originate.

Secondly, the report highlights a change in the national composition of asylum applicants. The Refugee Appeals Board has been handling a larger proportion of cases from countries where it previously processed only a limited number of applications. This shift in applicant demographics contributes to the growing workload and the need for more extensive case review.