Contacts in Greece

last update: July 2018

ATHENS

The following organizations are in Athens and offer services free of charge!

Do not be afraid to go there and ask for information even if you don’t have a residence permit.

LEGAL SERVICES

Legal services by Greek NGOs are offered mainly in their offices (see bellow), but also partly inside the open and closed camps (hotspots, temporary accommodation sites and reception centers as well as rarely in detention centers). 

In the temporary accommodation sites on the mainland legal advise is also provided for by the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and other NGOs. They direct you usually to the NGOs that offer legal aid, as their task is mainly limited to information provision and first advise.

Specifically, the reception centers for unaccompanied minors usually provide for their own lawyers as soon as a child/ youth is living there. Despite this fact, a child or youth can continue receiving support from his/ her external lawyer he/she had before upon communication with its shelter.

Additionally to the official structure of legal aid providing Greek NGOs, there has been growing an alternative structure of volunteer organizations from other countries that provide for legal information and advise. Among them are the Infomobile Greece, Mobile Info Team in Northern Greece, Khora in Athens, the Refugee Info Bus in Athens and else, as well as volunteer lawyers such as Advocates Abroad, the European Lawyers in Lesbos, the Legal Centre in Lesbos and others.

Attention! You may only be represented by one lawyer at a time. It does not help you to have more legal representation and it is not possible anyway. You can freely chose your lawyer and you can change your lawyer at any time. Yet, you have to understand that often there are limited possibilities and you may not be happy with the outcomes, but that does not necessarily mean that your lawyer is not good, but that the procedures are complex and problematic. Private lawyers do not work automatically better because you have to pay them. There are many lawyers who may take money for legal practices that have low chances to be successful just to earn money or that may charge you overprices servies. Lawyers working for legal aid NGOs are usually experienced, but may have a huge work load and thus be less available and sometimes also may work slower. In the end of the day, it is the quality of the services and the relationship of trust you establish (or not) and, thus, the good co-operation that lead to success. Seek advise from other refugees and supporters on which lawyers may be best to represent you.

Attention! Many of the international volunteer organizations have offered legal advise where and when it was difficult to access the Greek limited structures. Specifically, for the first information provision on your rights and the preparation of interviews, these alternative structures have offered valuable help. Upon understanding the limitations of these structures their help can be crucial to communicate cases to the right local / national services, to put extra pressure on official structures in emergency situations and fasten procedures and to communicate with authorities of other states, i.e. for family reunification cases. But bear in mind, that these organizations need to co-operate with Greek lawyers or re-direct you to one of the Greek NGOs offering legal aid, as ONLY lawyers with a Greek License can represent you legally before the national authorities - including courts. Legal advise does not substitute legal representation, so you should be sure that also a Greek licensed lawyer is supporting you. 

Attention! Always keep a contact to your lawyer or legal advisor (name, family name, organization name, telephone number, email). This is even more important, as international lawyers are usually volunteers and stay only short term. Greek lawyers may also change their job due to short term contracts. You may need to contact your former lawyer also in future for information or copies of documents.

1. GREEK COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES (GCR)
GCR is a Greek Non Governmental Organization that supports asylum seekers and refugees in Greece. It offers free of charge legal counselling and social assistance. The main offices of GCR are in Athens and Thessaloniki, nevertheless, some lawyers are present also on the Aegean Islands and visit different camps and detention centers all over Greece. There is a long experience in dealing with cases of unaccompanied minors amongst others. 
Opening hours: every morning from Monday to Friday before 9am for an appointment.

Address: Solomou 25, Exarheia (near Omonia)
Tel: (0030) 210-38.00.990
http://www.gcr.gr/

2. Integration Center for Migrant Workers - Ecumenical Refugee Program
Non-profit organisation of the Church of Greece.
Provides legal assistance to refugees and asylum seekers.
Iasiou 1, 115 21 Athens, Tel.: +30 210 727 2270 or 277,
E-mail: kesypame(at)gmail.com
Moschonision 5, 112 51 Athens, Tel.: +30 210 729 926 or 927,
E-mail:ecrpath(at)gmail.com
Varatasi 2, 114 75 Athens, Tel.: +30 211 012 9868,
E-mail: legalaid.ecrp(at)gmail.com

MEDICAL CARE (even if you are undocumented in Greece)

Check a list of different Medical organisations here: http://w2eu.info/greece.en/articles/greece-medical.en.html

APPLYING FOR HOUSING

9. PRAKSIS
Zosimadon 45
Tel. 210-52.05.200

10. PRAKSIS – DAYCARE CENTRE
Deligiorgi 26-28
Metaxouorgio

11. ARSIS
Legal aid for unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups, for asylum application or family reunification and applications for housing for these groups. Also supportive for applying for housing.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10-17
Tenedou 21B (Amerikis square)
E-mail: info(at)arsis.gr

FREE GREEK LANGUAGE COURSES

12. DIKTIO – Network of Social Support to Immigrants and Refugees
It provides information on legal/ social needs (Mo-Fri from 17-20), free courses of Greek language (Mo-Fr 18-20) and computer. There are also English and German lessons if volunteers are available. For people who have or don’t have papers.
Tsamadou 13, Exarheia
Tel. (0030)210-38.13.928
http://migrant.diktio.org/

Other help for families

16. JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE
Daycare Center
Operating hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (Monday - Friday)
Smyrnis 27,
Contact: Daphne at 210-822.38.27, ext. 141

Help for single women and single mothers

17. SHELTER OF MOTHER THERESA OF CALCUTTA
Temporary shelter for women and single mothers with children
Ithakis 97 (Axarnon street near Aghios Panteleimonas)
210-825.47.70

18. FAROS FAMILY CENTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Operating hours: 9:30-14:30 (Monday to Friday)
Elpidos 7
Tel: 210 882 6661

Help for unaccompanied minors

19. FAROS DAY CENTER FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS
Operating hours: 9:30-18:00 (Monday to Friday)
Ioulianou 18 (between Victoria Square and Exarhia)
Tel: 210-381.85.72

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE

20. BABEL DAY CARE CENTRE
For psychological and psychiatric support for migrants and refugees with interpreters speaking your language. It opens daily from 09:00 to 17:00 – on Tuesdays and Thursdays it remains open until 20:00.
Ioannou Drosopoulou 72 (near Platia Amerikis) – Athens
Tel: 210 – 86.16.280 or 210–86.16.102 or 210-86.16.266
E-mail: babel(at)syneirmos.gr
http://babel.actorsnet.gr/babel/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=45&Itemid=225

Help for victims of torture:

Please go to Babel for your psychological support, Medicines sans Frontiers for the medical aid and the Greek Council for Refugees for legal assistance.

21. MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERES
Phone: +30 21 0520 0500

Help for persons who have problems using drugs

22. KETHEA MOSAIC
Magnisias 28 & Zolioti 2, Athens
Tel: 210-825.69.44
210-825.71.64
210-825.62.37

Tracing lost family members:

23. RED CROSS
Sector of Tracing People, for searching lost family members
3rd September Street 21, Athens
Tel: 210-52.42.194 or 210-52.30.043
Fax: 210-52.37.700
E-mail: tracingstaff(at)redcross.gr

Showering, washing machines, clothes and hygiene kits

24. CARITAS
Hot Food Services – 10:30 to 13:00 (Monday to Friday)
Showers and Toilets – 10:00 to 14:00 (Monday to Friday)
Kapodistriou Street 52
Tel: 210-524.66.37

25. CARITAS ATHENS - DAY CENTRE (FOR FAMILIES)
Operating Hours: 10:00 to 16:00 (Monday to Friday)
Enianos 8, Central Athens (near Victoria Station)
Tel: 210-822.09.43

26. PRAKSIS
Shower facilities and laundry facilities to wash clothes (need to pre-book laundry)
Day Center for the Homeless (Athens)
Deligiorgi Str. 26-28
Tel. +30/210-524.45.74

27. Day Center for the Homeless (Piraeus)
Zosimadon Str. 44 Piraeus,
Tel. +30/698.58.66.432

28. HELPING HANDS
Operating Hours: 09:00 - 14:00 (Tuesday to Friday)
Sofokleous 53
Tel: 210-322.42.16

29. MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY
Daily operating Hours: 09:00 - 14:00 and 16:30 - 19:00
Ithakis 97
Tel: 210-825.47.70

30. SALVATION ARMY
For Clothing and hygiene products
Daily operating hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Aristotelous St. 99
Tel: 211-411.23.57

IF YOU LOOK FOR PEOPLE FROM YOUR COMMUNITY:

32. Workers Union of Bangladeshi Immigrants in Greece
Agias Filotheis 5B, Athens
Representative: Elias Ahmed
Tel: (0030)210-33.18.812 or (0030)210-82-22-509 mobile: (0030)6938.67.65.23 fax: (0030)210-33.18.812
E-mail1: sramikjote(at)yahoo.com & eliaselisa(at)yahoo.com

33. Egyptian-Greek Union
Contact: Midou (0030)6995.17.25.13

34. Ethiopian Community
Imbrou 16
Tel. (0030)6944.71.17.81

35. Union of Palestinian Workers in Greece
3rd of September Street 48B, Athens
Tel. (0030)210-82.21.124, mobile: (0030)6937.53.74.61 or (0030)6932.47.14.39, fax. (0030)210-74.88.093
E-mail: palwoun(at)yahoo.gr

36. Greek-Pakistani Association
Kosma Aitolou 2, Athens
Representative: Anwar Iqbal
Mobile (0030)6944.95.18.03
E-mail: annou1970(at)yahoo.co.uk

37. Somali Community in Greece
Kaningos 27, Athens
Tel: 6994.31.67.08 or 210-52.40.060
E-mail: scomgr(at)gmail.com

39. Kurdish Syrian Educational Association
Promitheos 71/ Aharnon, Athens
Tel. 210-22.83.746, fax. 210-22.83.746 

Contacts in Thessaloniki:

41. Social Centre for Migrants and Refugees
Antiracist Group Thessaloniki
Lawyers group for the rights of migrants and refugees
Ermou 23, Thessaloniki
http://socialcenter.espivblogs.net/
fb: https://www.facebook.com/socialcenterthess
The migration and refugee legal support group, operates since 2004 in the Migrant's Place (Steki) in Thessaloniki.

42. Greek Refugee Council Thessaloniki
Μitsaion 7
54631 Thessaloniki
2310-250045, F: 2310-250045

43. ARSIS Thessaloniki
Prtolemaion 35, 54630 Thessaloniki
Phone: 2310-526150, Fax: 2310-552813
Email: infothes(at)arsis.gr

44. PRAKSIS
Day Centre for Homeless
Monastiriou 62, Thessaloniki
Tel: 2310 527938

45. Doctors of the World Thessaloniki:
Ptolemaion 29Α (in the mall), 54630 Thessaloniki
Tel .: + 30-2310 566 641, Fax: + 30-2315 314206
e-mail: thessaloniki(at)mdmgreece.gr

47. Solidarity Now
Solidarity Center Thessaloniki:
Leontos Sofou / Egnatia Str
Tel (+30) 2310 501030, (+30) 2310 501 040, Fax: (+30) 2310 527 518
email: thessaloniki(at)solidaritynow.org

48. PRAKSIS Polyclinic THESSALONIKI
Arkadioupoleos str. & Ag. Dimitriou str., 54632 Thessaloniki
Tel: +30 23 10 55 61 45, Fax: +30 23 10 55 17 30
Email: info(at)praksis.gr
http://www.praksis.gr/en/contact

Contacts for reporting push-backs, police violence or other human rights violations you experienced in Greece or at the Greek borders:

Document your situation with photos. Keep them in your e-mail or Facebook account. Keep contacts of any witnesses in case you are a victim of violence. You can report human rights violations in any country you are. Human rights violations might be a push back from Greece to Turkey, but also any form of violence by the authorities, inhuman and degrading detention etc.
If you have been hospitalized for psychological reasons or severe health problems or injuries that resulted from any form of attack or by any kind of accident during the border crossing, ask the doctors/hospitals for a paper that documents at least that you were examined or even better an medical certificate stating what you suffered from.
It might make sense to register the human rights violations you experienced with big and known organisation, such as the following in order to have some evidence for your asylum case. The following organisations are a selection of independent institutions (There are also many other organisations you can refer to in Athens. See contact list above!). Your data (name) will not be published if you don’t want it to be. There are also possibilities to report human rights violations that were done by the Greeks to a national court with the help of a lawyer. Please seek legal advise for this in order to get detailed information on procedures, possibilities and limitations. If you lose your case before a Greek court and you have tried all legal national remedies without success, your lawyer can go to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against the Greek state. You can go before this Court also if you have reached another EU-country, but there are deadlines. Please seek legal advise soon enough.

49. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Athens, Greece)
Tagiapiera Street 12, 115 25 Athens
Τel. 0030-210.67.26.462/3
Fax. 210.67.56.800
E-mail: great(at)unhcr.org

50. PRO ASYL (Germany)
Postfach 16 06 24

60069 Frankfurt/M. / Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)69.24.23.14.20 (Mo-Fr: 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00)

Fax: +49 (0)69.24.23.14.72 

E-Mail: proasyl(at)proasyl.de

51. Amnesty International Greece (Athens, Greece)
Sina Street 30
106 72 Athens, Greece
Τel: 210.36.00.628
Fax: 210.36.38.016
Email: athens(at)amnesty.org.gr
(open Mo-Fr 10:00-15:00)

52. Multeci Der (Izmir, Turkey)
Uğur Mh. 848 Sk No:16 Konak-iZMİR
Tel/Fax: 0090232.483.54.21/ 0090 549.483.54.22
Email: bilgi(at)multeci.org.tr

State services: Applying for relocation, asylum and family reunification

53. Asylum Service Athens
P. Kanellopoulou 2,
10177 Athens
+30 210 698 8500
asylo@asylo.gov.gr

54. Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki
Building of former «B KTEO»
Pontou Street – Lahanagora District
540 01 Kalochori Thessalonikis
(The Office is served by bus line No.9, Stop «Anapsyktirio»)
Tel: +30 2310-751775 / Fax: +30 2310-267722
E-mail: pga.thessalonikis@asylo.gov.gr

Skype access to the asylum service:

Attiki (region around Athens):

FARSI/DARI: Monday 13-14, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9-10. (Skype-ID: asylum.service.farsi.dari)
ARABIC: Monday 10-12,Thursday 14-15 (Skype-ID: asylum.service.arabic)
ENGLISH, FRENCH: Wednesday 14-15 (Skype-ID: asylum.service)
URDU/PANJABI: Wednesday 10-12 (Skype-ID: asylum.service.urdu)
BENGALI: Tuesday 12-13, Friday 11-12 (Skype-ID: asylum.service.bangla)
RELOCATION: Monday 9-10 (Skype ID: asylum.service.relocation)
RELOCATION SORANI: Monday 14.15 (Skype ID: asylum.service.relocation)
RELOCATION KURMANCI: Friday 10-11 (Skype ID: asylum.service.relocation)

Rest of Greece:

FARSI/DARI: Monday 13-14 (Skype-ID: asylum.service.farsi.dari)
ARABIC: Friday 12-14 (Skype-ID: asylum.service.arabic)
ENGLISH, FRENCH: Wednesday 14-15 (Skype-ID: asylum.service)
URDU/PANJABI: Thursday 10-11 (Skype-ID: asylum.service.urdu)
BENGALI: Thursday 13-14 (Skype-ID: asylum.service.bangla)
RELOCATION: Monday 9-10 (Skype ID: asylum.service.relocation)
SORANI: Monday 14-15 (Skype ID: asylum.service.relocation)
KURMANCI: Friday 10-11 (Skype ID: asylum.service.relocation)

Weekly access to the Asylum Service for other language speakers
(directly at the Asylum Service in Athens and Thessaloniki, not via Skype!):
CHECK THE TIME TABLE HERE:
http://asylo.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/skype_program_GR-10_2016.pdf
(valid since October 10th)

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

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Patras:

Steki Metanaston / Solidarity Group for Migrants and Refugees
Greek Lessons for refugees and migrants
The school is open Monday-Thursday at 19-21
Registration of new students takes place every Friday 18-21
On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays beginners classes
On Wednesdays advanced class
Ioannou Vlachou 19
Tel. 0030/2611-10292

PRAKSIS
Medical, social and legal support
Doctor for adults: Monday and Wednesday 12-14.
Doctor for minors: Every day 9-13.
Lawyer and social service: with appointment.
The programme of Praksis will finish soon!
Korai 40 / Karaiskaki (walk up from the church St. Andreas)

Red Cross
Medical treatment, social and legal service
Working hours: Monday to Friday 8-14:30.
Karolou 8 / Ag. Andreou
Tel: 2610-620774

Doctors of the World
Medical aid, legal and social service
The services are provided with a mobile van visiting different locations in Patras
Beginning in June 2012!

Municipality of Patras
Food distribution and Greek lessons:

On Tuesdays and Saturdays at the swimming pool in Kanellopoulou Street at 11:30.
On Thursdays at the parking opposite to Makro in Vesso Mare at 11:30am.

Social pharmacy and doctor
In the back of Vassilopoulos: Monday and Wednesday 18-20 and Saturday 10-12 with appointment.
Address: In the back of Sprider Shop at the square of the labourer’s houses
To get an appointment call: 2610-420763 or 6972724613 at 10-12 in the morning and during Monday and Wednesday 19-21 and Saturday 9-13.

Hospitals:

Hospital of Rio
Emergency: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Hospital of Agios Andreas
Emergency: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Sundays: once Rio once Agios Andreas - changing

Kindly please note that our Groups’ address has changed and the new address is Londou 6, Exarheia( Λόντου 6, Εξάρχεια)  and NOT Ioulianou and Rethymnou 11.

Also please note that for legal counselling we are open to the public every Tuesday from 18:00-20:00 except the first Tuesday of each month. 

For the months of July and August 2018 we will remain closed and we will be back again open for the public on the 11th of September 2018.