German–Greek Relations Face Crisis over Refugee Policy
- On May 2025, Greece's government announced new legislation to impose tougher penalties on rejected asylum seekers amid rising migrant arrivals at its borders.
- The policy follows a 35% surge in arrivals during the first 11 months of 2024, including 57,363 migrants entering mainly via the Eastern Mediterranean route.
- Greece plans to speed up deportations, end mass legalization programs affecting 40,000 migrants, and jail rejected asylum seekers for at least two years pending deportation.
- Migration Minister Makis Voridis urged the EU to clarify legal residence criteria, warning that accepting economic necessity as grounds would mean Europe must prepare for "hundreds of millions."
- These measures reflect Greece's role as an EU external border and aim to reduce irregular immigration, while German-Greek tensions persist over deportation cooperation and migrant flows.
11 Articles
11 Articles


German–Greek relations face crisis over refugee policy
The German government wants to send asylum seekers back to Greece. Athens is opposed to such repatriation. Instead, it wants more EU support with border protection, and a migration agreement with Libya.
Ander Barylai, asylum seeker from Afghanistan: The EU's refugee policy shows its inhumane face when you, as a young asylum seeker, are bounced between member states.
Greece Threatens Rejected Asylum Seekers with Jail Under Tougher New Migration Policy
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Greece will end mass legalisation programmes for migrants and jail those awaiting deportation under tougher policies set to take effect this summer, Migration Minister Makis Voridis said Friday. World News | Greece Threatens Rejected Asylum Seekers with Jail Under Tougher New Migration Policy.
Greece plans to abolish a provision that allows refugees to apply for a residence permit after seven years in the country, Migration Minister Makis Voridis announced, claiming the rule has been abused.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium