Greece’s parliament approved a stringent migration bill in early September 2025 in response to growing pressure over migrant crossings via Libya, Crete, and the southern isles of Gavdos. The law targets rejected asylum seekers—especially those from countries the EU designates as “safe”—mandating fines up to €10,000 and potential detention of up to 24 months for undocumented migrants who remain in the country after their applications are denied. Additionally, the government has introduced mechanisms to accelerate return and removal procedures. This marks a sharp shift from earlier slower-moving asylum adjudication processes, reflecting Athens’ frustration with what it calls an unsustainable flow of irregular migration. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis defended the measure as necessary to protect public order and legal migration frameworks. Meanwhile, rights groups have warned these policies risk violating international obligations to protect vulnerable asylum seekers who may face persecution if returned.
The context for the law includes a noticeable uptick in migrant arrivals in recent months. Boats departing from North African shores have carried larger numbers of people across the Mediterranean, aiming for Greece as a gateway into Europe. Local authorities in Crete and the nearby islands of Gavdos have reported that rescue-and-reception capacities are being stretched. With humanitarian organizations raising alarms over overcrowded reception centers and delays in processing, public patience appears to be running thin. The government argues that faster deportation can free up resources to provide better care to those granted asylum. UNHCR, however, has urged that fast-tracked procedures must include robust safeguards to distinguish between genuine refugees and those who do not qualify under international law.
Critics argue that the law’s provisions could punish people who have legitimate protection claims, especially when delays or bureaucratic hurdles complicate their eligibility.
Key features of the law include the suspension of asylum processing for citizens of countries deemed safe by the EU, which curtails the procedural protections available to claimants from those nations. Another measure requires rejected applicants either to return voluntarily or face forced detention. The government has proposed expanding signage, border patrols, and collaboration with EU external border control agencies to track migrant boats. In addition, Greece aims to negotiate more return agreements with origin countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Egypt, in order to facilitate removals. These agreements have their own critics, who worry about safety and due process in those returned countries.
The UNHCR has expressed concern that these changes might lead to increased pushbacks and unsafe returns, urging the Greek legislature to ensure legal representation and appeal rights remain intact.
Politically, the law fits within a broader European trend of tightening immigration policies. Several EU countries are simultaneously pushing for more stringent returns, enhanced border controls, and legislative reforms. Greece’s move is likely to influence EU-level migration policy discussions, especially under the framework of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which seeks common agreement on border management, asylum rules, and burden sharing among member states. The shift also reflects domestic pressures: coastal communities affected by irregular arrivals have been vocal, and migration has become a salient electoral issue.
As the law comes into force, all eyes will be on its implementation and legal challenges. Rights advocates are expected to test its compatibility with human rights treaties. Meanwhile, the speed and fairness of return processes will be under scrutiny, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, victims of trafficking, or those with health needs. Greece’s approach may set precedents for what is acceptable in balancing migration control, sovereignty, and human dignity. For many migrants, the stakes are high: this law could determine whether the journey is met with protection or expulsion.
