Greece is set to introduce stricter penalties for rejected asylum seekers and fast-track their return to home countries under new legislation announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday. The proposed measures mark a significant shift in the country’s migration policy amid ongoing pressure to secure its borders and manage irregular arrivals.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Mitsotakis said the draft law would impose “heavier penalties” on individuals who enter Greece illegally or remain in the country after their asylum applications have been denied. He also stated that the bill aims to implement a “more effective and fair mechanism” for returning migrants to their countries of origin, pending parliamentary approval.
The move comes as Greece continues to grapple with migration challenges nearly a decade after the 2015–2016 crisis, during which over a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa entered Europe, many through Greek territory. Although overall arrivals have dropped significantly in recent years, migration remains a politically sensitive issue in Greece.
According to the government, migrant flows to Greece have declined by 30% in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, especially along the eastern land border with Turkey. However, sea arrivals via a new smuggling route from Libya to the islands of Crete and Gavdos have surged, putting pressure on local authorities and resources.
Thousands of rejected asylum seekers remain stranded in Greece, prompting calls for faster processing and returns. In response to mounting challenges across the EU, the European Commission recently proposed changes to European law that would allow member states to deport individuals to third countries deemed safe by the bloc, even if those countries are not the applicants’ countries of origin.
Mitsotakis’ government has pledged to strike a balance between upholding international obligations and enforcing stricter controls on irregular migration, as the debate continues across Europe over how best to manage migration flows.
Melissa Enoch
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