On September 18, the head of the Asylum Service called for the suspension of negative asylum rulings linked to the new law on “Reforming the framework and procedures for the return of third-country nationals.”
According to Kathimerini, the Migration Ministry’s bill remains practically unenforceable, since Greece lacks the infrastructure to detain the large number of people whose claims are rejected.
Roughly 30% of asylum applications are denied. In the first half of 2025 alone, 16,590 decisions were issued, of which 4,719 were negative. With 27,015 cases still pending, that ratio would translate to about 9,000 people facing detention.
The so-called Plevris law and its “return or prison” doctrine stipulate that anyone whose asylum request is rejected must be held in custody.
Meanwhile, transfers from Crete to the temporary facility in Agia, Chania, are ongoing, with authorities aiming to clear the site by the weekend.
Another pressing issue is the temporary ban on asylum applications for arrivals from Libya, introduced in July and set to expire on October 10. Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said on September 17 that an extension is possible.
At the same time, the ministry is exploring alternative scenarios, particularly after distinguishing between arrivals from Eritrea and Sudan—nations recognized as conflict zones where applicants are more likely to qualify for refugee protection.
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