Finally, Greece has just introduced its new migration law, one of the strictest in Europe. Supporters say it protects national security, while critics argue it risks human rights violations and ignores Greece’s economic needs.
What the Law Includes
The new measures target asylum seekers whose applications are denied:
- Deadline to leave: 14 days to exit Greece after rejection.
- Prison terms: 2–5 years for staying illegally.
- Heavy fines: €10,000 for illegal entry, up to €30,000 for re-entry after rejection.
- Extended detention: Maximum raised from 18 months to 24 months.
- No path to residency: Long-term stay after seven years is no longer possible.
- Electronic monitoring: Ankle bracelets may be used to track migrants.
Why the Government Defends It
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris framed the law as a clear warning:
If your asylum request is rejected, you have two choices: go to jail or return home. You are not welcome.
Prime minister kyriakos mitsotakis also suspended asylum applications earlier this year after a surge in arrivals on Crete, declaring that Greece’s borders were “effectively closed.”
Supporters’ Perspective
- National Security First: Rejected migrants should not remain in the country.
- Deterrence Strategy: Harsh penalties aim to discourage illegal crossings.
- Policy Continuity: Since 2019, the government has added fences, patrols, and now tougher laws to secure borders.
Why Critics Are Alarmed
Judges, aid groups, and international agencies have strongly opposed the legislation.
- UNHCR concern: Refugees in real need might be punished unfairly.
- IOM view: Migrant arrivals are not high enough to justify such measures.
- Legal doubts: Overcrowded prisons may make enforcement impossible.
- Human rights issues: Allegations of pushbacks and abuse already exist, and this law deepens fears.
A Contradiction: Borders vs. Labor Needs
While Greece’s new migration law cracks down on irregular arrivals, Greece’s economy is quietly dependent on migrant workers.
- Former minister Dimitris Kairidis legalized 30,000 undocumented workers in farming, construction, and tourism, highlighting the labor shortages.
- Civil society groups call the law “racist and counterproductive,” noting that Greece’s population is shrinking and migrants could help fill critical jobs.
Then and Now: A Shift in Approach
- 2015–2016 crisis: Over a million people crossed into Europe via Greece, creating a genuine strain.
- Today: Arrivals are far lower, though recent spikes from Libya to Crete triggered political reactions.
- Policy shift: Humanitarian relief has been replaced with deterrence and punishment.
European & Human Rights Context
- Human rights groups accuse Athens of illegal pushbacks at the borders.
- Frontex, the EU border agency, is reviewing multiple possible violations involving Greece.
- Many see Greece’s new migration law as part of a wider European trend toward restrictive asylum policies.
The Debate in Simple Terms
| Government’s Position | Critics’ Position |
| Protect citizens and stop illegal migration | Risks punishing genuine refugees |
| Deterrence prevents smugglers from exploiting Greece | Migrant numbers don’t justify harsh laws |
| Clear rules: “leave or face jail” | Enforcement may fail due to full prisons |
| Borders must be strong | Greece actually needs migrants for its economy |
Greece’s new migration law places the country among Europe’s strictest on asylum. The government sees it as necessary protection. Critics see it as harmful, unrealistic, and even self-defeating given Greece’s labor shortages.
The real question: will this law make Greece safer, or will it deepen social, economic, and humanitarian challenges?
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