The Greek government is introducing a sweeping Immigration Bill aimed at closing loopholes, reducing incentives for irregular migration, and tightening enforcement, as arrivals to the country fell by 21% compared to last year.
The Ministry of Migration and Asylum, under Minister Thanos Plevris, said the bill responds to continued pressure on key entry points such as Crete, which received between 4,000 and 4,500 irregular migrants in December alone. The proposed legislation ends special privileges for unaccompanied 17-year-olds, introduces deportation in place of imprisonment for minor offences, and imposes significantly harsher penalties on NGOs involved in migrant smuggling.
Government officials said the timing of the bill is deliberate. In December, Crete again faced a surge in arrivals from Libya, briefly overwhelming local infrastructure. Authorities responded by transferring migrants via the Hellenic Coast Guard to temporary facilities in Chania before redistributing them across the country. Since then, stricter measures—including a three-month suspension of asylum application processing—have sharply reduced flows.
According to official figures, total arrivals in 2025 reached 48,068, down from 60,886 in 2024, a reduction of nearly 13,000 people. Government sources directly link this decline to tougher measures introduced during the summer.
Unaccompanied Minors
Until now, foreign nationals entering Greece as unaccompanied minors could obtain residence permits of up to 10 years if they attended three grades of Greek schooling and remained in the country until the age of 23. Authorities say this framework encouraged abuse, with 17-year-olds entering illegally, registering as minors, enrolling in schools, and remaining protected from deportation for years.
The new bill abolishes this provision entirely. Unaccompanied 17-year-olds will now be treated as adults and will no longer receive special privileges. Ministry sources said the change removes what they described as a “migration magnet,” citing cases such as two Egyptian nationals accused of attempting to rape a 13-year-old after entering Greece under this status.
The bill also abolishes semi-independent living programs. Unaccompanied minors will no longer live in apartments but only in designated facilities, ending what officials say was preferential treatment that encouraged circumvention of the law. These measures follow ministerial decisions on age verification using medical examinations, which authorities say show that most individuals declaring themselves minors are in fact adults.
Deportation Instead of Prison
In cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, the bill introduces a new approach for foreign nationals convicted of misdemeanors. Those serving sentences for minor offenses will be released from prison on the condition of immediate deportation.
Officials said the measure will relieve pressure on Greece’s prison system while reinforcing a policy of zero tolerance for illegal migration. Thousands of foreign inmates convicted of minor crimes are expected to enter removal procedures instead of remaining incarcerated.
NGOs and Stricter Sanctions
The bill also significantly tightens oversight of Non-Governmental Organizations involved in migration. While the ministry plans to simplify access to the NGO Registry so it no longer operates as a “closed club,” it will impose severe penalties for illegal activity.
NGO members found to have participated in migrant smuggling will face prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. NGOs proven to be involved will be removed from the Registry. The bill also abolishes preferential programmatic agreements between the ministry and NGOs, requiring all future contracts to be awarded exclusively through competitive tenders, in line with private-sector rules.
Integration Through Work
Beyond enforcement, the bill introduces a new integration model for recognised refugees. Around 20,000 people receive international protection in Greece each year, and authorities aim to link their stay directly to employment rather than long-term reliance on benefits.
Refugees will be transferred to regions with labour shortages in agriculture, industry, and construction and will be informed that work is the primary condition for remaining in the country. The model is already operating in Koutsochero, where more than 1,000 asylum beneficiaries are undergoing agricultural training, with plans to expand the program nationwide.
