Greece is set to tighten its migration laws significantly, offering illegal migrants just two options: voluntary return or imprisonment. A new draft law proposed by the conservative government would impose a minimum prison sentence of three years on those who refuse to leave the country.
The Ministry of Migration described the changes as a necessary step to balance the protection of human rights with the enforcement of the rule of law, safeguard social cohesion, and ensure national security. The draft legislation is expected to be submitted to Parliament in Athens in the coming days.
At present, individuals without legal status are typically held in deportation camps, where they may eventually be granted temporary leave. The proposed law would mark a sharp departure from this approach.
Under the draft, prison sentences for unauthorised stay would not be subject to suspension or reduction—except in cases where migrants agree to leave voluntarily, in which case the sentence may be lifted. “From now on, there will be only two paths: return or imprisonment,” the ministry said.
