What’s Happening in Greece – July 2026

Greece remains a key entry point into the European Union for people seeking international protection. Arrivals continue by sea and land routes, including the Aegean islands, the Evros land border, and increasingly via the more dangerous Central Mediterranean route to Crete.

In 2025, 48,795 people arrived in Greece: 41,720 by sea and 7,075 via land borders. By 12 July 2026, a further 16,892 people (13,124 by sea and 3,768 by land) had arrived seeking international protection. More than half of the sea arrivals (3,493 people) reached Crete across the Mediterranean from Libya, a particularly dangerous journey (UNHCR).

Every person seeking protection has experiestays, while several mainland reception centres remain overcrowded. Living conditions in a number of locations continue to deteriorate, and welfare and support services remain limited and overstretched.

At the same time, access to rights has become more restricted. Laws and procedures are increasingly punitive, and practical barriers continue to affect access to the asylum procedure. Delays and failures in online registration systems have, at times, prevented people from lodging applications. These barriers prolong uncertainty, increase time spent in inadequate conditions, and raise concerns under international and European law.

These developments are taking place alongside the gradual implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is expected to reshape asylum procedures across Member States. In practice, this includes an increased use of accelerated procedures, expanded application of concepts such as “safe countries,” and a stronger focus on returns. The effects of these changes are already visible in national approaches. The balance between access to protection and migration control is increasingly reflected in how these measures are applied in practice.

In 2026, Greece continues to implement legislative and procedural changes affecting asylum and reception processes, while preparing for the broader implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Recent developments include increased use of accelerated procedures, expanded application of concepts such as “safe countries,” greater emphasis on return procedures, and ongoing changes affecting reception and support systems. In practice, these developments continue to affect access to procedures, legal certainty, for many people seeking international protection. While there is increasing concerns regarding prolonged stays and sub-standard living conditions in Closed Controlled Access Centres (CCACs).

[updated 12 July 2026]

ASsIST publishes a periodic newsletter to keep supporters, colleagues and other interested readers
up to date with significant developments affecting asylum seekers and refugees in Greece and in the
wider European context. Drawing on publicly available sources and ASsIST’s practical experience,
each edition seeks to present legal, policy and practical developments in a clear and accessible way,
offering readers an understanding of these issues and the opportunity to draw their own
conclusions.