As Greece moves to dismantle long-standing legalization pathways for undocumented migrants, a sweeping new policy threatens rejected asylum seekers with prison terms of up to five years before deportation.

The controversial crackdown, driven by rising migration numbers and pressure from the European Union (EU) to streamline deportations, signals a hardening stance that could reshape the European migrant experience.

Jail time replaces warnings

Greece will imprison migrants with failed asylum applications for a minimum of two years. The sentence will be suspended only once deportation occurs.

“From now on, whoever is in Greece illegally will never be legalized, will never get a residence permit,” Migration Minister Makis Voridis told broadcaster Skai.

This new policy replaces a long-standing practice. Until now, rejected asylum seekers received six-month suspended sentences.

Authorities rarely enforced deportations. That era is over.

The law, set to take effect this summer, aims to act as a strong deterrent. “There must be sanctions for those who persist in staying in Greece even though they are not legally here,” Voridis said.

Mass legalization programs end permanently

For years, irregular migrants in Greece could eventually apply for legal status after living there for seven years. That door has slammed shut.

“The longer you were in the country illegally, the bigger your prize. That’s wrong,” Voridis said. “We will not repeat this mistake.”

In March, the government already canceled a program that had granted legal residency to 40,000 migrants. Those who benefited had lived in Greece illegally for three years or more.

Officials called it a necessary measure at the time. Now, they said that it encouraged abuse and will not return.

Government cracks down amid EU pressure

The decision follows growing pressure across the EU. In 2025, the EU Commission announced plans to prioritize deportations and define clearer criteria for legal residence. 

So far, the bloc’s efforts have fallen short; more than 80% of EU-issued deportation orders remain unenforced.

Voridis claimed that Greece’s non-compliance rate is even higher. He called on Brussels to back member states with stricter return procedures.

“If economic need alone justified migration, Europe would have to prepare to receive hundreds of millions,” he said.

Prime Minister stands firm on enforcement

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis strongly supports the legislation. “Penalties will be heavier for those who enter the country illegally or stay in our country, if their asylum application is being rejected,” he said during a Cabinet session.

The bill also aims to streamline returns with “a more effective and fair mechanism.”

The Prime Minister views the law as essential. Greece, he argued, is under disproportionate pressure as a gateway into Europe.

While migration into Greece dropped 30% in early 2025, sea arrivals from Libya to Crete and Gavdos rose sharply along newly trafficked routes.

Arrests rise, deportations lag

In 2024, Greek police arrested 74,000 irregular migrants. Yet just 2,500 were deported. 

That gap frustrates Greek authorities. Officials accuse detainees of lying about their origins to delay removal. False nationality claims can stall deportation for months.

The government said that its new law closes those loopholes. It introduces up to five years in prison for irregular entry or unauthorized residence.

The bill, already approved by the Cabinet, is expected to pass easily in Parliament due to the government’s majority.

Human rights advocates sound alarm

Critics warned that the law risks violating international asylum protections. Greece already faces scrutiny over alleged illegal “pushbacks”—the forced return of migrants at sea without processing their claims.

Athens denied the accusations but had drawn sharp criticism for its migration handling, especially after a 2023 shipwreck that killed hundreds.

A two-year investigation into that disaster recently led to criminal probes against 17 Coast Guard officers. Survivors and families accused the authorities of negligence and misconduct.

Shifting entry conditions in a tighter fortress

For visitors and migrants, Greece’s crackdown signals a climate of increased scrutiny and reduced tolerance toward irregular residency.

While short-term travelers like tourists may see little change, long-term migrants and those overstaying visas face heightened risks of detention and deportation.

The abolition of legalization avenues and stricter penalties coincide with the upcoming launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), reinforcing a broader EU strategy that prioritizes pre-entry vetting and internal control. 

These developments collectively narrow the space for unauthorized migration and amplify the role of systems like ETIAS in filtering entrants before arrival.

From national crackdown to EU-wide precedent

Greece’s move to jail rejected asylum seekers and end regularization pathways is more than domestic policy; it reflects and may catalyze a bloc-wide pivot.

With only a fraction of EU deportation orders currently enforced, Greece’s legislation aligns with Brussels’ push to speed removals and define stricter legal boundaries for migrants post-appeal. 

The proposal’s timing reinforces the EU Commission’s 2025 objective of harmonizing migration rules across member states.

As deportation becomes a shared enforcement priority, Greece’s hardline stance may influence legal frameworks and political discourse across the Schengen Zone.

Setting a harsh new precedent

As Greece moves to criminalize rejected asylum seekers with mandatory prison terms and an end to legalization routes, it sends a chilling message across Europe’s migration landscape.

Critics fear this sweeping shift trades human rights for deterrence, amid rising tensions and scrutiny over past deportation practices.

Whether this becomes a model or a cautionary tale will depend on how far Europe is willing to follow.