Key Takeaways
• Greece has not criminalized illegal stays or expanded detention centers recently.
• New Migration Code reduces permit types from 50 to 19 and speeds up processes.
• EU provides over €5 billion to Greece for migration management since 2015.
Greece’s Evolving Immigration Policy: Focus on Legal Pathways, Not Criminalization or Expanded Detention
Greece 🇬🇷 has long been at the center of migration flows into Europe, serving as both a gateway and a frontline state for people seeking safety, work, or a new life in the European Union. In recent years, the country’s approach to immigration has changed in important ways. Contrary to some reports, there is no evidence that Greece has recently criminalized illegal stays or expanded its detention capacity for illegal immigrants. Instead, the government is working to modernize its migration system, improve legal migration pathways, and address long-standing human rights concerns in its existing detention facilities.
This article provides a detailed look at the latest developments in Greek immigration policy, how they affect migrants, and what they mean for the future of migration management in Greece and the wider European Union.
Key Points at a Glance
– No recent criminalization of illegal stays: Greece has not passed new laws making illegal stays a criminal offense.
– No expansion of detention capacity: There is no evidence of new detention centers or increased space for holding migrants.
– Focus on legal migration: Greece is streamlining legal pathways, making it easier for people to live and work in the country lawfully.
– Ongoing human rights concerns: Existing detention centers still face criticism for poor conditions and overcrowding.
– Strong EU support: The European Union continues to provide financial and technical help to Greece for migration management.
Let’s break down these developments in detail.
Recent Changes in Greek Immigration Policy
Modernizing the Migration System
In April 2025, the European Commission recognized that Greece had made big improvements in how it manages migration, especially on the mainland. The country had struggled for years with overcrowded and poor-quality reception centers, but recent efforts have helped fix many of these problems. The Commission found that Greece’s asylum and reception system on the mainland no longer has “systemic deficiencies.” This means Greece can now fully take part in the Dublin system, which is the EU’s way of deciding which country is responsible for handling an asylum seeker’s case.
What does this mean for migrants?
– Better reception conditions: New arrivals are less likely to face overcrowded or unsafe living spaces.
– Faster processing: Asylum seekers can expect their cases to move more quickly through the system.
– More predictable rules: Greece is now treated like other EU countries in the asylum process.
The New Migration Code
On January 1, 2024, Greece put a new Migration Code into effect. This law brought several important changes designed to make the system simpler and more efficient.
Key changes include:
– Fewer residence permit types: The number of different permits dropped from 50 to 19, making it easier to understand which permit to apply for.
– Simpler procedures: The process for getting or renewing a permit is now less complicated, with fewer documents required.
– Long-term residence permit: This new permit lets holders move and work in any EU country, not just Greece.
– Better treatment for second-generation immigrants: Children of immigrants born or raised in Greece now have a clearer path to legal status.
– Fast-track options: Some categories of migrants can now get permits more quickly.
For more details on residence permits and the new Migration Code, you can visit the official Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum website.
Changes to Specific Visa Categories
The new law also updated rules for certain types of migrants:
- Digital Nomads: People who work remotely for companies outside Greece must now get a Digital Nomad Visa from a Greek consulate in their home country before applying for a residence permit inside Greece. This two-step process helps the government keep better track of who is entering the country for remote work.
- Managerial Personnel: The rules for company managers and executives have become stricter. First-time applicants must now be board members, legal representatives, or administrators of companies with at least €4 million in revenue.
- EU Blue Cards: While the law changed the rules for this program, which allows highly skilled workers from outside the EU to live and work in Greece, the exact details were not provided in the available information.
Greece’s Approach to Legal Migration
“Year of Legal Migration” Initiative
In 2024, Greece’s Minister for Migration and Asylum, Dimitris Kairidis, called it the “year of legal migration.” This slogan reflects a major shift in the country’s approach, focusing on making it easier for people to migrate legally and reducing the number of people living in Greece without proper documents.
Key goals of this initiative:
– Modernizing and digitizing permit processes: Many steps can now be done online, reducing paperwork and waiting times.
– Faster approvals: The government is working to cut down the time it takes to get or renew a permit, which used to be as long as two years.
– Pathways for undocumented migrants: About 30,000 people who have lived and worked in Greece for at least three years may now be able to get legal status.
– Attracting legal migrants: Greece wants to be seen as a good place for people to move for work, study, or family reasons.
Why is this important?
– Reduces illegal stays: By making legal migration easier, fewer people are forced to live in the shadows.
– Helps the economy: Legal migrants can fill job shortages and contribute to growth.
– Improves integration: People with legal status can access services, learn the language, and become part of Greek society.
Economic Focus
Greece’s new migration policies are driven by economic needs as much as by security concerns. The government recognizes that the country faces skill shortages in many sectors, from agriculture to technology. By opening legal pathways and making it easier for people to get work permits, Greece hopes to:
– Fill gaps in the labor market
– Boost economic growth
– Help newcomers settle and contribute to society
This approach marks a clear move away from policies that focused mainly on enforcement and keeping people out.
Detention Facilities: Current Status and Concerns
Existing Detention Capacity
While Greece does have a network of detention centers for migrants, there is no evidence that the country has recently expanded this capacity. As of the latest available data:
– Eight pre-removal detention centers: These have a total capacity of 6,417 people (as of December 2018).
– Reception and Identification Centers (RICs): Located on the Aegean Islands, these centers serve as the first stop for many new arrivals. Some also act as “hotspots” for processing asylum claims.
– Police and border guard stations: These are sometimes used for short-term immigration detention, even though official policy says they should not be.
No new centers or expanded space have been reported in recent years.
Human Rights Concerns
Despite improvements in some areas, Greece’s detention facilities continue to face criticism from human rights groups and international organizations.
Key concerns include:
– Overcrowding: Many centers hold more people than they were designed for, leading to poor living conditions.
– Poor hygiene and safety: Reports from the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) in July 2024 described dirty, unsafe conditions in some centers.
– Unlawful detention: Amnesty International and other groups have documented cases where people were held without proper legal grounds, especially on the island of Samos.
– EU-funded facilities: Some new centers built with EU money, such as the one on Samos, have also faced criticism for detaining asylum seekers in ways that may break EU law.
What does this mean for migrants?
– People detained in these centers may face long waits, poor conditions, and uncertainty about their future.
– Human rights groups continue to call for better oversight and improved conditions.
EU Support and Funding
Greece’s efforts to manage migration are strongly supported by the European Union. Since 2015, the country has received over €5 billion in EU Home Affairs funds. In the current budget period (2021-2027), more than €1.66 billion has been set aside for migration management in Greece.
How is this money used?
– Building and upgrading reception centers
– Improving asylum processing systems
– Supporting integration programs for newcomers
– Training border guards and migration officials
The EU also provided €276 million for new “multi-purpose” centers, which are supposed to offer better conditions for migrants and asylum seekers.
Looking ahead: The European Commission will keep working with Greece to improve migration management, especially as the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is set to take effect in mid-2026.
The Reality: No Criminalization or Expansion of Detention
Despite rumors or claims to the contrary, there is no evidence that Greece has recently criminalized illegal stays or expanded its detention capacity for illegal immigrants. Instead, the country is:
– Focusing on legal migration pathways
– Streamlining procedures
– Addressing human rights concerns in existing facilities
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that these changes are part of a broader trend in Europe, where countries are trying to balance border control with the need for legal migration and respect for human rights.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Migrants and Asylum Seekers
- Easier legal pathways: More people can now apply for legal status, reducing the risk of being detained for illegal stays.
- Faster, simpler processes: Less paperwork and shorter waits make it easier to live and work in Greece lawfully.
- Ongoing risks in detention: Those who are detained may still face poor conditions, so it’s important to know your rights and seek help if needed.
For Employers
- Access to legal workers: The new system makes it easier to hire foreign workers to fill skill shortages.
- Clearer rules: Fewer permit types and simpler procedures mean less confusion and faster hiring.
For Human Rights Groups
- Continued oversight needed: While there are positive changes, detention conditions remain a concern.
- Opportunities for advocacy: The government’s focus on legal migration opens doors for groups to push for better integration and support services.
For the Greek Government
- Improved reputation: By focusing on legal migration and human rights, Greece can strengthen its standing in the EU and attract needed workers.
- Ongoing challenges: Managing migration flows, especially during crises, will always require careful planning and resources.
Practical Guidance and Next Steps
If you are considering moving to Greece, or if you are already living there without legal status, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your eligibility for legal status: If you have lived and worked in Greece for at least three years, you may qualify for a pathway to legal residence.
- Use digital platforms: Many application processes are now online, making it easier to apply or renew permits.
- Know your rights: If you are detained, you have the right to legal help and humane treatment. Contact local NGOs or legal aid organizations for support.
- Stay updated: Immigration laws can change quickly. Visit the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum for the latest information and official forms.
Conclusion
Greece 🇬🇷 is not criminalizing illegal stays or expanding its detention capacity for illegal immigrants. Instead, the country is working to modernize its migration system, open legal pathways, and address human rights concerns. These changes are good news for migrants, employers, and anyone interested in a fairer, more effective approach to migration. As the EU’s new migration pact comes into force, Greece’s experience may offer lessons for other countries facing similar challenges.
By focusing on legal migration and better management, Greece is showing that it is possible to protect borders, support the economy, and respect human rights at the same time.
Learn Today
Dublin system → EU framework determining which member state handles an asylum seeker’s case to avoid multiple applications.
Digital Nomad Visa → Special visa allowing remote workers to live in Greece while employed by companies abroad.
Pre-removal detention centers → Facilities detaining migrants awaiting deportation, with limited capacity and human rights concerns.
EU Blue Card → Residence and work permit for highly skilled non-EU workers to live and work in EU states.
Migration Code → Greek law simplifying legal migration procedures and reducing residence permit categories for efficiency.
This Article in a Nutshell
Greece steadily reforms immigration by focusing on legal migration and human rights, denying any criminalization or detention expansion. The 2024 Migration Code streamlines permits, aiding migrants and the economy with strong EU support, marking Greece as a positive example in European migration management reforms and integration efforts.
— By VisaVerge.com
