Greece

Greece > Contacts

Useful contacts for refugees and migrants in Greece.

Greece > Overview

Greece is one of the major countries where people are entering the European Union through the Turkish-Greek borders (at land and sea). The EU has put a lot of pressure on the Greek government to close these external borders and invested into its closure by sending Frontex – officers of a specialized EU-border agency – and by funding “border security”. Despite increasing difficulties to cross the border, until today Greece remains one of the main transit countries for migrants trying to enter the EU.

Greece > Welcome Guide (PDF-document)

Useful information for refugees and migrants coming to Greece in one guide.

Greece > Hot Spots on the Islands (Arrival after 20th of March 2016)

Since the summer 2015 authorities on Lesvos Island are officially running the closed camp “Moria” as a so-called Reception and Identification Centre or Hot Spot in Greece. Until March 2016, four more Hot Spots were opened on the islands of the Aegean on Samos, Chios, Kos and Leros. These Hot Spots are designed as closed camps where the identification and registration of newcomers in Europe takes place first.

Greece > Asylum

You have to personally lodge an asylum application before the competent authority, which is the Asylum Office (in Athens, Lesvos Island, Samos island, Chios island, Rhodes Island, South and North Evros Region, in Thessaloniki, as well as in the detention centres: Amygdaleza, Xanthi and in Corinth). If you are detained or in a First Reception Center, the detention authorities (police) and also the First Reception authorities will register your wish to seek international protection and refer you to the competent examination authority.

Greece > Family reunification

Families might find themselves in a situation where one person went first to a specific country, and his/her family-member has remained behind in another European country. In that case, you have the possibility to ask for family reunification. You apply in the country where you are, in order to go where your relative is. Attention! Currently no one can estimate how long the procedure will take until you are out of Greece and reunified with your family as more than 50,000 refugees got trapped in Greece.

Greece > Relocation

Relocation is the legal transfer of persons who are considered to require international protection (asylum and subsidiary protection) from one member state of the European Union to another member state after having been found eligible by the authorities of Greece. Until today, relocation has been completed for very few persons although the EU had announced high numbers already in 2015.

Greece > Dublin III

If you have given your fingerprints to authorities in other European countries, for example in Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary or Greece on your way or even in other countries where you have applied for asylum before and you don’t stay there but continue your journey, you might get threatened to be deported back. This is based on the so-called Dublin-regulation.

When you are threatened with "Dublin"-deportations this does not mean that finally you will be really deported. There are many people who have overcome the deportation threat and their asylum case has to be handled finally in Germany.The first step is to get organised for your right to stay.

Greece > Protection holders

What are my actual rights as a beneficiary of international protection in Greece?

Can I ask for asylum elsewhere again in another EU-country after getting in Greece a protection status?

If I intend to stay in another country, what can I do to get the right to stay?

These and more questions will be answered here.

Read more … Greece > Protection holders

Greece > Turkey-EU-deal

This deal affects all refugees who enter Greece via Turkey after March 20, 2016. It does not affect refugees who already are in Greece.

Greece > Minors

Minors are often held in detention what is officially not allowed. Their age is often changed by the authorities to make them older.

Greece > Detention

According to the law, you can be detained from a few hours up to six months. Your detention can be extended twice, for a maximum of 12 months in total. If that happens then the competent authorities will issue a new detention decision. Nowadays, if someone is detained, he/she is in practice normally released after 6 months.

Greece > Housing

There are three different categories of housing facilities for refugees in Greece: 1. reception places (mainly for unaccompanied minors and a few families); 2. the transit camps with usually very difficult living conditions; 3. Squats and solidarity spaces that offer accommodation without any involvement of government and authorities.

Greece > Medical Assistance

If you did not apply for asylum, family reunification or relocation in Greece to regularise your stay, you can visit public hospitals only in emergency cases. If it is not an emergency, consult one of the following NGOs. If they cannot offer the needed medical service they will arrange an appointment for you at a hospital but you will need to find a translator to accompany you by yourself. Another main problem is free medicine. Ask the following NGOs for advice where to get it.

Read more … Greece > Medical Assistance

Risks, Rights & Safety at Sea - Aegean Sea: Greece/Turkey

These informations are for people who are considering to cross the sea between Turkey and Greece. They aim neither at deterring people from, nor at encouraging people to attempt the crossing, but rather at providing objective informations and sharing experiences about risks, rights, and vital safety measures to take at sea.

Greece > Reports

Here you may find reports about the refugees situation in Greece, done by activist-groups and NGOs who are close to the network Welcome to Europe.

Topics

Countries

This site