Greece to Speed Up Migrant Deportations and Penalize Undocumented Residents

Key Takeaways

• Greece criminalizes undocumented status with up to five years imprisonment and heavy fines.
• Detention periods extended from 18 to 24 months; residency pathway after seven years removed.
• Only 3.4% of 74,000 detained migrants deported in 2024, showing enforcement challenges.

Greece’s New Migration Policy: Accelerated Deportations and Criminal Penalties for Undocumented Individuals

Purpose and Scope

This analysis examines Greece’s recent overhaul of its migration laws, focusing on the government’s decision to accelerate migrant deportations and introduce criminal penalties for undocumented individuals. The purpose is to provide a clear, evidence-based overview of the new policies, their expected impact, and the broader context within which these changes are taking place. The scope covers legislative changes, enforcement mechanisms, statistical trends, legal and human rights considerations, and economic factors influencing migration policy in Greece.

Methodology

This content is based on official statements from Greek authorities, migration statistics from 2023 and 2024, legislative documents, and recent rulings from European courts and international organizations. Data is presented using descriptive analysis, with visual descriptions to help readers understand trends and patterns. Comparisons are drawn between past and present policies, and the analysis is supported by references to official sources and recent reports, including those from VisaVerge.com.

Key Findings

• Greece is moving to criminalize undocumented status, with penalties of up to five years in prison and significant fines.
• Detention periods for migrants awaiting deportation will be extended from 18 to 24 months.
• The pathway to legal residency for undocumented individuals after seven years is being eliminated.
• Despite tough measures, Greece faces ongoing challenges in deporting undocumented migrants, with a low deportation rate and declining returns.
• The new policy is part of a broader European debate on migration, with legal and human rights implications.
• Greece’s economy continues to rely on migrant labor, creating a complex balance between enforcement and labor market needs.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

1. Legislative Changes and Enforcement Measures

Greece’s new migration law, announced by Migration Minister Makis Voridis on May 29, 2025, introduces several strict measures:

• Criminalization of Undocumented Status: Migrants found entering or living in Greece without legal permission may face up to five years in prison and fines for up to three years. This marks a significant shift from previous policies, where undocumented status was treated as an administrative, not criminal, offense.
• Extended Detention Periods: The maximum period for administrative detention before deportation will increase from 18 months to 24 months. This means migrants can be held for up to two years while awaiting removal from the country.
• Elimination of Residency Pathway: The law removes the previous rule that allowed undocumented individuals to apply for legal residency after seven years in Greece. Minister Voridis described this as removing an “incentive” for migrants to remain in the country unlawfully.
• Voluntary Repatriation Incentives: The government is encouraging voluntary returns, offering plane tickets and financial support through organizations like the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Frontex. Migrants are told to “choose voluntary return or prison,” according to Minister Voridis.

2. Migration Statistics and Enforcement Challenges

The new policies are a response to ongoing difficulties in managing irregular migration:

• Low Deportation Rate: In 2024, out of 74,000 migrants detained, only about 2,500 (3.4%) were actually deported. This means that for every 100 migrants detained, fewer than four were removed from the country.
• Declining Returns: The number of migrants returned or deported dropped from 6,340 in 2023 to 5,865 in 2024, showing a downward trend.
• High Detention Rate: In 2024, Greece issued 29,233 detention orders. Of these, 99.5% resulted in detention during deportation procedures, and 61.4% during return procedures.
• Decreasing Arrivals: The number of migrants arriving in Greece fell by 27% in early 2025, from 9,342 in the first quarter of 2024 to 6,773 in the same period of 2025.
• Annual Illegal Entries: Authorities estimate that between 55,000 and 65,000 migrants enter Greece illegally each year. Only about half are granted asylum.

Visual Description:
Imagine a bar chart showing a steady decline in migrant arrivals from 2023 to 2025, alongside a line graph illustrating the low percentage of successful deportations compared to the total number of detained migrants. The gap between arrivals and deportations remains wide, highlighting the enforcement challenge.

3. Legal Framework and Enforcement Mechanisms

Greece’s approach to enforcement involves several layers:

• Deportation Orders: In 2024, 31,629 police decisions were issued, including 12,390 return decisions under the EU Return Directive and 19,239 deportation decisions under exceptions to the Directive.
• Limited Appeals: Only 0.97% of deportation decisions were challenged through administrative appeals to the Hellenic Police, and just 3.2% of those appeals were successful.
• Judicial Review: 14.1% of detention orders were challenged in administrative courts, with a 42.2% approval rate. However, when courts reviewed cases on their own, only 0.96% of detention orders were overturned.
• Detention Facilities: At the end of 2024, 1,463 people were held in pre-removal centers. The largest centers were Amygdaleza (557 detainees) and Paranesti (289 detainees), with another 163 people in police stations.

Visual Description:
Picture a pie chart showing the breakdown of detention facilities, with the largest slices representing Amygdaleza and Paranesti, and a smaller slice for police station detentions.

4. International Context and Legal Implications

Greece’s new policies are influenced by, and have implications for, European legal standards:

• German Deportation Ruling: In April 2025, Germany’s Federal Administrative Court ruled that certain migrants could be deported back to Greece, finding that they would not face inhumane treatment, despite some acknowledged problems in Greece’s system.
• Human Rights Concerns: The Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights has called on Greece to strengthen legal protections at its borders and to stop summary returns (pushbacks) of migrants.
• European Court Ruling: In January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights found that Greece had violated European human rights conventions by expelling migrants without proper legal process.

Visual Description:
Envision a timeline showing key legal events: the European Court ruling in January 2025, the German court decision in April 2025, and the announcement of Greece’s new law in May 2025.

5. Economic and Labor Market Considerations

Despite the tough stance on undocumented individuals, Greece faces a shortage of workers:

• Labor Shortage: Minister Voridis has said that Greece needs about 200,000 foreign workers, and new legal migration measures are expected by July 2025.
• Declining Agricultural Workforce: The number of immigrants working in agriculture dropped from 36,000 in 2011 to 21,500 in early 2025.
• Current Legal Immigrants: Greece currently has 839,519 legal immigrants, including 73,450 refugees. There are 480,014 valid residence permits, with the majority (57.9%) held by Albanians, followed by Chinese (6.2%) and Pakistanis (4.4%).

Visual Description:
Imagine a stacked bar chart showing the number of legal immigrants by nationality, with the largest section for Albanians, followed by smaller sections for Chinese and Pakistanis.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Comparisons with Previous Policies:

• Residency Pathway: Previously, undocumented individuals could apply for legal residency after seven years. The new law removes this possibility, making it much harder for long-term undocumented migrants to regularize their status.
• Detention Periods: The maximum detention period has increased by six months, from 18 to 24 months, allowing authorities more time to arrange deportations.
• Criminalization: Turning undocumented status into a criminal offense is a major policy shift, aligning Greece with some of the strictest migration regimes in Europe.

Trends and Patterns:

• Enforcement vs. Labor Needs: There is a clear tension between the government’s desire to reduce irregular migration and the country’s need for foreign workers, especially in sectors like agriculture.
• Decreasing Arrivals, Persistent Challenges: While fewer migrants are arriving, the system still struggles to deport those who are already in the country, partly due to limited cooperation from countries of origin.
• Legal and Human Rights Scrutiny: Greece’s approach is under close watch from European courts and human rights organizations, which have criticized aspects of the country’s migration enforcement.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• Effectiveness of New Measures: The new policies are designed to deter irregular migration by making conditions much tougher for undocumented individuals. However, past experience suggests that enforcement alone may not be enough to solve the problem, especially if countries of origin refuse to accept deported migrants.
• Human Rights Risks: The criminalization of undocumented status and extended detention periods raise concerns about compliance with European human rights standards. Recent court rulings have already found Greece in violation of these standards.
• Economic Realities: The need for migrant labor remains high, and the government has promised new legal migration pathways. Balancing strict enforcement with economic needs will be a key challenge.
• International Implications: Greece’s hardline approach could influence migration policy debates across the European Union, especially as other countries face similar pressures.

Limitations

• Data Gaps: Some statistics, such as the exact number of undocumented individuals currently in Greece, are estimates and may not capture the full picture.
• Implementation Uncertainty: The effectiveness of the new policies will depend on factors outside Greece’s control, such as cooperation from countries of origin and the capacity of detention facilities.
• Legal Challenges: Ongoing legal scrutiny from European courts may force Greece to adjust its policies in the future.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

For migrants and those working with migrant communities in Greece:

• Stay Informed: Monitor updates from the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum for the latest information on legal changes and enforcement practices. The official Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum website provides authoritative updates.
• Legal Support: Undocumented individuals facing detention or deportation should seek legal advice as soon as possible, as appeal options are limited and deadlines are short.
• Voluntary Return Programs: Those considering voluntary return can contact organizations like the IOM for information on available support and incentives.
• Employers: Businesses relying on migrant labor should prepare for changes in legal migration pathways expected by July 2025 and ensure all workers have valid permits.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, Greece’s new migration law represents one of the most significant shifts in European migration policy in recent years. The coming months will show how these measures affect undocumented individuals, the Greek economy, and the country’s relationship with European legal standards.

Conclusion

Greece’s decision to accelerate migrant deportations and criminalize undocumented status marks a turning point in its migration policy. While the government aims to deter irregular migration and strengthen enforcement, the challenges of low deportation rates, labor shortages, and legal scrutiny remain. The balance between strict enforcement and economic necessity will shape the future of migration in Greece, with implications for migrants, employers, and the broader European community.

Learn Today

Undocumented Status → Being present in a country without official legal permission or valid visa or residency.
Deportation → The formal removal of a migrant from a country for violating immigration laws.
Detention Period → The maximum time migrants can be held in custody during deportation procedures.
Residency Pathway → A legal process allowing undocumented migrants to apply for permanent residence after meeting requirements.
Return Directive → EU law governing the procedures and conditions for returning irregular migrants to their countries.

This Article in a Nutshell

Greece’s new migration law criminalizes undocumented status, extends detention to 24 months, and removes legal residency after seven years. Deportation rates remain low amid ongoing human rights concerns, labor shortages, and European legal scrutiny, making policy effectiveness uncertain amidst complex migration challenges and economic demands.
— By VisaVerge.com