Announcement on the draft new Migration Law
Read below the announcement of the Greek Forum of Migrants (GFM) on the draft new Migration Law that is being on public submission until August 4th, 2025:
Comments on the Draft Law on Migration (July 2025)
The Greek Forum of Migrants (GFM) as a second-level body representing migrant communities in Greece, working more than two decades to defend migrants’ rights in Greece, submits the following key comments and proposals on the Draft Law on Migration currently under public consultation:
1. Criminalization of “Irregular” Residence
The provision for criminal treatment of irregular residence constitutes a serious violation of fundamental human rights. Instead of prison sentences, we propose the creation of realistic pathways to regularization. Stricter procedures and increasing bureaucracy do not strengthen “order and security,” but rather lead to greater irregularity.
2. Abolition of the Article on “Exceptional Reasons”
Abolishing the possibility of legalization for long-term residents deprives thousands of people of a fair and realistic chance at regularization. Besides asylum seekers, there are thousands of foreign nationals who have legally resided in Greece for long periods, whose renewal applications may be rejected for various reasons often beyond their control (e.g., temporary loss of insurance eligibility, administrative errors or delays).
Until now, these individuals could apply for a residence permit under “exceptional reasons,” which served as a safety net for people with proven roots and continuous presence in the country.
The abolition of this possibility creates dead ends and leads to irregularity, with no tangible benefit to society or the state.
It seems forgotten that Greece’s migration reality is not only about asylum seekers, but also long-term residents, workers, families, and young people who grew up in the country. The state must consider the diversity of the migrant population and acknowledge their real integration and contributions.
We propose that the law include the possibility of applying for a residence permit for those who: previously held a valid residence title and have since fallen out of legal status, or can prove by any means continuous presence in Greece for the past seven (7) years.
3. Prolonged Administrative Detention
The provision for administrative detention of up to 24 months contradicts the principles of proportionality and necessity. We call for a clear limitation on the duration of detention and the adoption of alternative mechanisms in line with human rights and the country’s European obligations.
4. Safe Third Countries and Return Procedures
The expansion of the return framework to countries designated as “safe third countries” without strict and objective criteria poses serious risks to the protection of human life and dignity. We demand: Strict individual assessment of each case, explicit exceptions for vulnerable groups, any return to a third country (other than the country of origin) to occur only under strict conditions and always with respect for human rights.
5. Lack of Integration Policies
The Draft Law completely ignores the dimension of social integration and the reality of thousands of people who live, work, and contribute to the country for years. We propose: The establishment of a new type of residence permit based on employment, family life, and long-term presence, Realistic mechanisms for regularizing those who, for any reason, have fallen out of the system, Development of active integration policies as a necessary condition for social cohesion, democratic stability, and economic growth.
In conclusion
We call for a substantial revision of the Draft Law to ensure a balance between protection, social integration, and functional migration management, without criminalization, exclusion, or further disruption of the already difficult residence framework.
A sustainable and lawful migration policy cannot be built on exclusion, opacity, and uncertainty.
It is clear that the country’s migration policy is moving further toward a direction of increased severity and exclusion. However, such an approach risks creating more problems than it seeks to solve.
Tightening procedures, weakening lawful residence, and expanding bureaucracy do not lead to “order and security,” but to greater irregularity. Thousands of people who have lived and worked in Greece for years – many of them parents of children born here – risk suddenly being left without legal status, not because they wish to, but because the system strips them of it. A policy that renders integration and inclusion impossible is neither functional nor just.
Instead of fostering cohesion, this direction creates conditions of exclusion. At a time when social cohesion is more necessary than ever, we cannot speak of development and stability without the participation of all people who live and contribute to the country.
Even the institutions of the State recognize this need. Similar voices from the economy, local government, and civil society emphasize that integration, inclusion, and stability of migrant populations are in everyone’s interest.
Rather than more repression and instability, we need a framework that ensures visibility, legality, participation, and prospects for those who are already an integral part of Greek society.
Migrants are not the problem – they are part of the solution.
Once again, we call for the formulation of a meaningful migration policy and the development of a social integration plan as a policy of humanity and equality. Only in this way can we build a society that respects and promotes the rights of all people, regardless of origin or nationality, fostering social cohesion. A democratic society cannot be built by excluding people who already live in it.
Athens, July 31st, 2025
Greek Forum of Migrants (GFM)*
*Members of the Greek Forum of Migrants are:
AFRICA:
Association of Cameroonians of Greece
Congolese Community in Greece
Congolese Community Brazaville
Ethiopian Socio-Cultural Center "Aithiops"
Ethiopian Workers Union in Greece
Ghanian Community in Greece
Gambian Community in Greece
Union of Guinea of Greece
Kenyan Community in Greece (KCG)
Nigerian Women Organisation of Greece
Nigerian Community of Greece
Association of Senegalese in Athens DIAMM AK TERANGA
Unione of Sierra Leonese
Tanzanian Community in Greece
Zanzibar Community in Greece
Burundian Community in Greece
Ivorian Community in Greece
African Network in Greece
United African Women Organization Greece
ASIA:
Afghan Migrants & Refugees Community in Greece
Bangladesh Community in Greece
Pakistan Community in Greece
Greek Pakistan Association of Greece
Pakistan Journalists Association in Greece
EASTERN EUROPE:
Albanian Community in Greece
Albanian Women Association in Greece
Georgian Cultural Center "Caucasus"
Ukrainian-Hellenic Thought
Ukrainian Community `The land of stork`
United Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece
Support and promotion center of cultural heritage “Trembita”
Ukrainian Cultural-Educational Centre Bereyinia
Ukrainian Women Union
MIDDLE EAST:
Egyptian Workers Community in Greece "El Rapta"
Palestinian Workers Union in Greece
Somalian Community in Greece
Greek Sudanese Friendship League
Sudanese Community
Syrian House in Greece
OTHER:
Migrant Woman Network "DIMITRA"
PIGI KoinSep
ELAHE PENHAN (Women from Iran and Afghanistan)
Mahdia Cultural Center
LGBT Refugee Group
