Greece’s migration policy is entering a new phase. With arrivals dropping across its southern islands, the government is pressing ahead with a stricter legal framework.
Said framework targets rejected asylum seekers, clamps down on irregular entry, and changes the support offered to recognized refugees.
A tougher stance on migrant entries
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has outlined measures that go further than past reforms. He insisted that the changes are necessary to maintain order at the borders and fairness within the asylum system.
His words are blunt: “Your asylum was rejected? You have committed a criminal offense.”
The shift comes at a time when migration remains central to Greece’s domestic politics and its position within the European Union.
The country sits on one of the EU’s most sensitive frontiers, receiving flows from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Its policies have long drawn attention in Brussels, Berlin, and beyond.
New bill targets rejected asylum seekers
At the heart of the government’s plan is a bill expected to reach Parliament by the end of August. Under the proposal, migrants whose asylum claims are denied but who remain in the country could face prison terms of two to five years.
This measure, according to Plevris, will end what he sees as a loophole.
Until now, rejected asylum seekers often remained in Greece for months or years while deportations stalled. Some worked informally; others stayed in camps or in urban housing programs.
Under the new law, that period of limbo becomes a punishable offense. Cooperation with authorities for return will be the only way to avoid jail.
The government hopes this threat will encourage more voluntary departures.
Human rights lawyers warned that the proposal may clash with EU asylum law, which requires that rejected applicants retain certain rights during appeal processes.
However, officials in Athens argued that the measure is consistent with the right of states to police illegal residence.
Clear message of deterrence
Plevris has repeated the government’s line on multiple platforms. Speaking on television, he said Greece “will not become a country of open borders.”
He added that irregular arrivals will not be welcomed “with flowers.”
This rhetoric is intended not only for domestic audiences but also for those considering the journey to Greece. By signaling tough consequences, the ministry hoped to deter crossings before they happen.
The language has drawn criticism from advocacy groups. They argued that portraying migrants as criminals risks dehumanizing people fleeing war or poverty.
Plevris countered that Greece cannot ignore disrespect toward its laws and institutions. He cited incidents at national monuments, where asylum seekers staged protests, as examples of behavior he deems unacceptable.
Migration numbers show steep decline
The government points to statistics as proof that its measures are effective. In early July, more than 2,600 people arrived in a single week, largely from Libya to the small island of Gavdos.
Alarmed by the surge, Athens introduced a three-month suspension of asylum applications.
The effect was immediate. By the end of July, arrivals had dropped to 913 for the remainder of the month.
In the first 20 days of August, fewer than 400 arrivals were recorded.
Officials credited not only the suspension but also diplomatic outreach. Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis held talks with authorities in eastern Libya to curb smuggling networks.
“A message has been given that Greece is no longer considering asylum [for irregular arrivals],” Plevris said.
Whether the decline will last remains uncertain. Migration flows across the Mediterranean are notoriously volatile, influenced by conflict, weather, and the shifting strategies of smugglers.
Enforcement through detention, returns
Alongside the suspension, Greece has stepped up detention of new arrivals. Those intercepted at sea or on islands are now placed in holding centers pending deportation orders.
The government also emphasized returns, both voluntary and forced. Plevris admitted that cooperation with countries such as Egypt, Bangladesh, and Pakistan remains difficult.
Without travel documents or agreements, deportations can drag on. However, he said that increasing return numbers is a priority.
A new bill on returns, linked to the broader migration package, is expected to pass by the end of August. It will streamline procedures for repatriation and may include electronic monitoring, such as ankle bracelets, for migrants awaiting removal.
Tension with NGOs
Non-governmental organizations have pushed back. Several groups have challenged the suspension of asylum in court.
They argued that it violates both Greek law and international conventions.
Plevris has dismissed these challenges as obstruction. “We will not accept that ships come in and the government does not react,” he said.
This tension is not new. NGOs operating on islands like Lesvos and Chios have long criticized pushback practices at sea, as well as conditions in camps.
The government accused some groups of encouraging arrivals and undermining border enforcement.
The confrontation has grown sharper under Plevris, whose ministry frames NGO lawsuits as attempts to weaken state sovereignty.
Redefining integration policy
Beyond border measures, the government is changing how it treats those who do receive protection. Current programs provide rent allowances and other subsidies.
Plevris wants to move away from this model. “Stop the benefits, teach the person skills, who has been given asylum, and go to work,” he said.
Future integration will focus on language training, vocational courses, and direct entry into the labor market. The idea is to reduce dependency and place responsibility on refugees to adapt quickly.
Critics warned that cutting allowances too soon may push vulnerable families into poverty, especially while learning Greek or seeking jobs. Supporters argued that taxpayers should not indefinitely carry the costs of settlement.
This debate mirrors wider European discussions. Countries from Denmark to Germany are rethinking welfare-based integration, with growing emphasis on employment as a condition of residency.
Travelers face stricter rules at borders
Greece’s tougher stance is not limited to asylum seekers. Tourists, students, and business visitors are likely to feel the effects of a system that prizes control at entry points.
While casual visitors will continue to pass through Schengen checks, they may encounter closer questioning or more visible security. The launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) next year will reinforce that trend, requiring travelers from visa-free countries to obtain online clearance before boarding flights.
For long-term residents, the shift emphasizes the importance of paperwork. Permits and visas must be kept in order, with little tolerance for delays or overstays.
What once brought fines or slow-moving bureaucracy could now trigger immediate legal consequences inside Greece.
Migrants weighing whether to attempt the journey may look to other Mediterranean routes, as the risk of detention or prosecution in Greece rises.
EU states weigh Greece’s approach
Athens’ policy decisions will ripple through the wider EU debate. By writing prison terms into law for rejected asylum seekers, Greece is testing how far a member state can stretch enforcement within the bloc’s legal framework.
Countries facing similar pressures, such as Italy or Cyprus, may study the plan as a possible model. Others, including states in northern Europe, may view it as a step too far, raising questions about compatibility with EU asylum rules.
The timing is notable. The EU is preparing to implement a new migration pact that stresses both solidarity and stronger borders.
Greece’s direction tilts heavily toward enforcement, and that choice is likely to shape upcoming negotiations.
If some states lean toward deterrence while others insist on broader access to asylum, the EU could find itself split between competing philosophies of migration management.
An outlook on Greece’s migration policy
Greece’s migration policy is moving toward tighter controls, with officials making clear the country will not adopt an open-border approach.
The focus now lies on reducing illegal entries, enforcing returns, and shifting integration programs toward language learning and employment.
These steps reflect the government’s determination to manage migration on its own terms, even as arrivals continue to fall. How Greece handles these challenges in the months ahead will be watched closely across Europe.