January - February 2026
Predominantly refugee profile and arrivals at manageable levels in 2025
The total number of people arriving in Greece seeking protection in 2025 decreased by approximately 20% compared to 2024. Total arrivals in 2025 were 48,771 compared to 62,116 in 2024 (Data UNHCR and Ministry of Migration and Asylum).
Crete continues to be the main point of arrival throughout 2025 with a total of 19,799 arrivals (40% of the total for the country, 47% of sea arrivals). to date there is no reception facility on the island and newly arrived individuals remain in completely unsuitable conditions at the former exhibition center in Agia and other locations. For example in January 2026 more than 700 people remained in Agia for more than 20 days. In February 2026 was passed an amendment to establish reception facilities in Crete.
Afghan citizens (24% of sea arrivals) and Sudanese citizens (22% of sea arrivals) are the main nationalities of arrivals in 2025. The recognition rate for refugee protection for asylum seekers belonging to both nationalities during 2025 ranges between 97% and 100% according to official statistics. Overall in 2025, international protection (refugee status or subsidiary protection) was granted to more than 6 out of 10 asylum applications examined on their merits by the Greek authorities (64%).
The data show that, despite the prevailing public discourse, on the one hand, the numbers of people arriving in search of protection remain at manageable levels and do not constitute an emergency or unforeseeable situation, and on the other hand, these people mainly have a refugee profile, i.e. people fleeing war and persecution who are entitled to international protection.
Chios: 15 people dead after coast guard vessel collides with boat carrying refugees
On the evening of February 3, 2026, 15 people were killed and 24 seriously injured after a coast guard vessel collided with a rubber dinghy carrying refugees near the coast of Chios. The Coast Guard's initial version of the circumstances of the incident is disputed by the survivors. Although the Coast Guard vessel was equipped with a camera, it was not in operation. The need for an impartial and effective investigation has been emphasized by, among others, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Greek National Commission for Human Rights, and the Ombudsman,. In response to the incident, relevant ministers and state officials have directly targeted medical organizations, lawyers, and journalists. The Greek Council for Refugees, on an emergency mission to Chios, met with survivors and undertook to provide legal assistance.
It should be noted that the European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly condemned the Greek authorities for violating the right to life in recent judgments due to the actions of the Coast Guard at the border and the way in which these were planned and executed (Safi and Others v. Greece (2022), Alkhatib v. Greece (2024), Almukhlas and Others v. Greece (2025), and F.M. v. Greece (2025). Furthermore, in recent judgments, the ECHR has found that pushbacks at land and sea borders are a"systematic practice"» των ελληνικών αρχών (ARE κατά Ελλάδας (2025) και G.R.J. κατά Ελλάδας [dec.](2025)). Πρόσφατο report in the Greek media refers to testimony from a former coast guard officer documenting pushback practices.
A new shipwreck occurred off the coast of Crete at the end of February with 4 dead and more than 20 missingbringing the number of people who lost their lives in the Mediterranean in just the first two months of 2026 to 606 ((the deadliest period since 2014, when records began) and underlining the need for safe access to protection.
See more:
- UNHCR expresses deep sorrow over latest tragedy in the Aegean, 4 February 2026
- Statement by the Greek National Commission for Human Rights: Urgent need for immediate, full, and effective investigation into the deadly shipwreck near Chios, 4 February 2026
- The Ombudsman on the investigation of the incident with fatalities in Chios5 February 2026
- The Athens Bar Association on the deadly shipwreck in Chios, 11 February 2026
- Chios Bar Association: "It is unacceptable for lawyers to be attacked because they are performing their duty to defend"' 12 February 2026
- Greek Council for Refugees, The targeting of those who defend our rights concerns us all, 11 February 2026
Related publications (indicative)
- Chios survivors on NEWS 24/7: "The Coast Guard did it without warning"20 February 2026
- Solomon, "It was no accident": Conflicting accounts of the tragedy off Chios20 February 2026
- Kathimerini.gr, Chios: Two new statements from shipwreck survivors, 13 February 2026
- Ιn.gr, "The unknown testimonies about the tragedy in Chios', 14 February 2026
- Efsyn.gr, New testimony about Chios: "I didn't hear any signal, I didn't see any light,", 13 February 2026
- The Press Project, Chios health workers at TPP: "Survivors told us that the Coast Guard rammed them – This explains the severity of the injuries,", 5 February 2026
- Rizospastis.gr, A revealing testimony that sheds light on the dark events in Chios, 21 February 2026
ALSO LISTEN TO: Unprotected Crossing: Silence in the Aegean – The refugee tragedy in Chios - podcast with the participation of the Greek Council for Refugees
Bill by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum paves the way for the criminalization of humanitarian action
The draft law of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, which was passed on February 5, 2026 (Law 5275/2026), includes a series of provisions that are contrary to the Constitution, EU law, and international law, which pave the way for the criminalization of legitimate humanitarian action and restrict the public space of civil society, calling into question its functioning.
The National Commission for Human Rights and the Ombudsman, among others, have called for the withdrawal of the relevant provisions. Five United Nations special rapporteurs, in a letter to the Greek government, emphasize their concern that the new provisions impose "unfair restrictions" on the work of civil society organizations active in the field of migration in Greece," "criminalize their action in defense of human rights," and "undermine humanitarian work and the work of civil society."
At the same time, in a meeting with civil society organizations active in the field of refugees/migration, the ambassadors of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland emphasized the essential role of civil society in defending democratic values and human rightsFurthermore, in January 2026, after almost eight years of legal proceedings, all 24 rescuers from the ERCI organization who had been prosecuted and faced serious charges, including facilitating the illegal entry of third-country nationals, were acquitted The trial was described as the biggest case of criminalization of solidarity in Europe.Rescuing people in danger at sea and providing humanitarian aid is not a crime but a moral duty and a legal obligation noted the Greek Council for Refugees.
- National Commission for Human Rights Statement on the provisions of the draft law targeting civil society organizations, 26 January 2026.
- Ombudsman Comments | Draft Law "Promotion of legal migration policies, transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1233," 28 January 2026
- UNHCR, Memorandum of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the context of the parliamentary consultation on the Draft Law "Promotion of legal migration policies, etc.", 28 January 2026
- Letter from UN Special Rapporteurs to the Greek Government, Greece: analysis of the new law on migration and its impact on HRDs supporting migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, 24 February 2026
- Joint Statement by 79 organizations on the draft law of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
- Comments by the Greek Council for Refugees on the draft law of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum & participation of the GCR in the hearing of stakeholders in the Greek Parliament..
Significant setback in the field of child protection
The Ministry of Migration and Asylum proceeded with the abolition of the possibility of granting a 10-year residence permit to unaccompanied children who had entered Greece and had successfully attended 3 grades of Greek school until the age of 23, with the bill passed by Parliament on February 5, 2026. "A significant setback in child protection issues and the cancellation of a long-term investment by the Greek state in the integration of young people who arrived as unaccompanied children into the social and economic life of the country"is how 17 organizations of the Child Rights Advocacy Network (CRAN), including the GCR, describe the repeal.
Joint Letter from 17 Civil Society Organizations
At the same time, in a new ruling published on January 22, 2026, the European Court of Human Rights condemned Greece for the inhumane living conditions of minor refugees at the Reception and Identification Center (KYT) on Samos. The appeals of five of the seven children before the European Court were represented by the GCR.
"This is not the time to comment on legality" - The State of the Rule of Law in Greece
A joint report on the state of the rule of law in Greece was submitted to the European Commission and published by the organizations HIAS Greece, Refugee Support AegeanRSA), Vouliwatchthe Greek Council for Refugees (GCR), the Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR) Homo Digitalis, Reporters United and Solomon.
The urgent need to address chronic pathologies related to the rule of law in Greece and the fact that these issues are interrelated and have extremely adverse effects on a number of aspects of the rule of law, from justice, legislation and the transparency rules to freedom of the press, civil society and personal data protection, υπογράμμισαν οι υπογράφουσες οργανώσεις.
New issue of the Asylum Case Law Report
Published in January 2026, the new issue of the Asylum Case Law Report covers the second half of 2025. This issue marks five years of the Asylum Case Law Report. In the five years since the Asylum Case Law Bulletin was launched, excerpts from 790 asylum decisions from the period 2020 to 2025 have been published. The Report thus contributes to filling an important gap in the publication of Greek asylum case law and enhances the legal and wider community's awareness of developments in refugee law in the country. All issues of the Asylum Case Law Report are available to the public, while through collaborations with reputable case law databases such as "ISOKRATIS," NOMOS, and the Case Law Database of the European Asylum Support Office (EUAA), we enhance the distribution and accessibility of case law to a wider audience both within and outside Greece.
