Migration min: Asylum in Greece cannot be treated as an entryway to EU residency and work

A bill to be tabled in January 2026 will simplilfy procedures for legal immigration, Migration & Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris told Parliament plenary on Monday.

Presenting the government's stance on migration, Plevris defended the government's measures to discourage asylum-seekers entering Greece from Libya and illegal migration. These are now adopted by the European Union and other states, he said, while he mentioned data showing that migration flows dropped by 45% in August-November 2025 and by 25% overall for the year.

Overall, Plevris said, the government policy on migration included guarding borders with deterrence, reducing migration flows, the rationalization of asylum, and the increase of returns.

He particularly mentioned the EU Migration Pact, which will be implemented in July 2026. "Europe is not changing. It has changed. In this change, Greece plays a leading role and our policies on migration are adopted at European union level and by other member-states," Plevris said. He added, "Illegal migration is a problem, not the solution, and illegal entry and stay in Greece is not a right, but a criminal offense. Asylum cannot be treated as a passport for EU entry and work, especially by single men aged 18 and 25 who are taking advantage of a situation that exists in the country and choose to go through 10 safe countries and come to buy asylum in Europe, and (asylum) should be given sparingly. Therefore, asylum control should also be restrictive."