The statistics in the chart above are based on Eurostat's Non-national population by group of citizenship, 1 January 2022. An update from Eurostat is expected in March 2024.

According to Eurostat's Migration and migrant population statistics, as of 1 January 2022, there were about 632 700 third-country nationals (TCNs), representing 6% of the population, and another 115 200 EU citizens (1.1%) living in Greece at the time.

In 2022, according to the European Migration Network (EMN)’s 2022 country factsheet for Greece, there were also a total of 27 380 international protection applications (including asylum), compared to 28 355 in 2021, 40 560 in 2020 and 77 285 in 2019. The top three countries of origin of first-time applicants include Syria, Afghanistan and Palestine. In 2021, in addition, 51.4% of all first-time permits were issued for family reunification, 9.6% for work and 3% for study purposes. In terms of naturalisation, 9 433 TCNs received Greek citizenship in 2021, as opposed to 12 514 and 15 830 in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Other detailed statistical data is available in the EMN 2022 country factsheet for Greece, with insights into the age and gender of TCNs, the most common types of residence permits issued and international protection statistics.

By the end of November 2023, Greece also counted a total of 26 675 non-EU citizens who had fled the war against Ukraine and were under temporary protection – see monthly updates of the numbers of temporary protection beneficiaries on Eurostat.

The recent OECD/EC Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023: Settling In report provides further breakdowns of the composition of the migrant population and households in Greece, including in terms of immigration flows by legal category, concentration in densely populated areas, duration of stay and household composition. Finally, additional figures from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum from the summer of 2023 are also available in English and Greek.

To foster the inclusion of migrants, Greece set up its third National strategy for the social integration of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection in 2021 (see an overview of the strategy). This new national strategy, which replaced the previous 2019 national strategy aimed at third-country nationals, focuses exclusively on asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection, and is harmonised with the current legislative framework of Greece. It includes four main pillars:

1. pre-integration of asylum seekers
2. social integration of beneficiaries of international protection
3. prevention of and effective protection from all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse
4. monitoring the integration process

The government also drafted a National strategy for the protection of unaccompanied minors (UAMs), and, via Law 4960/2022, created a national guardianship system and framework for the accommodation of unaccompanied minors. See this EWSI good practice for mentoring unaccompanied minors in Greece – a project which allows former unaccompanied children to provide services to minors through the Ministry of Migration and Asylum and with the support of the EU.  

Migrants have access to services aiming to promote social integration. Local and national authorities (including the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, local municipalities and others), as well as NGOs, provide language courses, soft-skills workshops, and job preparation courses to newcomers. Nevertheless, Greece does not have a standard integration programme for all third-country nationals, and services exist specifically for beneficiaries of international protection.

The Hellenic Integration Support for Beneficiaries of International Protection (HELIOS) programme has been supporting, based on a specific set of criteria, beneficiaries of international protection since July 2019. HELIOS has been funded by the European Commission (AMIF) over the June 2019 - December 2021 period, as well as from the national budget currently and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Greece. By November 2023, the project supported a total of 45 221 beneficiaries – see a good practice about HELIOS on EWSI.

In addition, the Migrant Integration Centers (MICs), whose work is embedded in the integration strategy (see the section on the latter above), cater to the individual needs of migrants, both beneficiaries of protection and other legally residing third-country nationals, by offering one-stop-shop services in collaboration with the Directorate of Social Services of each local administration.

Overall, Greece’s 2019 integration strategy was more comprehensive than the current one since it covered all TCNs and set out, among others, measures for the promotion of integration in the education system and the labour market, as well as access for access to public services.  These were important integration components for all migrants, including beneficiaries of international protection, and were in line with the EU’s Action plan on integration and inclusion 2021-2027.

No official assessment of the integration strategy has so far been carried out. However, all actions and projects are evaluated with reference to specific quantitative and qualitative indicators included in every annual programme. Efforts have also been made to evaluate the implementation of different services through reports, such as the reports on the work of the migrant Integration Centres (MICs).

In addition, an annual report is produced by the Asylum Information Database (AIDA), a database managed by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and benefitting from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) funding. The reports present data concerning the asylum procedure, access to rights, and the status of recognised beneficiaries of international protection.

The EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) published in 2023 the report Promoting migrant integration - strengthening EU law on long-term residence, which also references the specific challenges faced in Greece.

In 2020, the National Centre for Social Research (EKKE) published the report From reception to integration: migrant populations in Greece during and in the aftermath of the crisis. The research evaluates recent policies and social practices, and identifies areas in which improvements could be made.

The international Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), finally, points out that – just as in most Eastern countries – migrants in Greece enjoy basic rights but not equal opportunities, with policies generally unfavourable towards newcomers. Compared to other destinations in the Mediterranean, Greece’s integration policies are weaker than Italy’s, Portugal’s and Spain’s, are most similar to Malta’s, and are slightly more developed than Cyprus’ and Turkey’s. The country’s approach to integration is therefore classified as providing ‘equality on paper’, with Greece receiving 46 out of 100 points on the MIPEX 2020 scale, or under the average score across the countries included in the study. The third national report produced under the National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM) project, in addition, assesses the mechanism for integration of beneficiaries of international protection, examining legal, statistical and policy indicators. The report finds that Greece still sees significant administrative barriers that hinder access to the residence permit procedure.

Law on foreigners

The law of 1991 contains provisions on the stay and work of foreigners, as well as on the procedure for the recognition of beneficiaries of international protection. In 2005, a law on the entry, residence and social integration of TCNs was introduced.

The latter was reformed in 2014 with the Immigration and Social Integration Code, introducing changes in the field of residence permits, family reunification and access to the labour market. It grants, for example, migrants with 10+ years of residence permit – or indefinite residence – rights similar to those enjoyed by nationals. In 2015, EU directives 2011/98 and 2014/36 were transposed into the Greek legislation. From 1 January 2024, in addition, a new migration code came into force with Law 5028/2023. This law amended or repealed articles of the previous 2014 code.

Notably, an amendment to the law was also published in December 2023, allowing for undocumented migrants who have resided in Greece for at least 3 years and can prove they are engaged in specific types of employment, to be granted a residence permit.

Asylum law

A law introduced in 2011 is the first piece of legislation specifically targeting beneficiaries of international protection and asylum seekers in Greece. It established asylum services. Then, 5 years later, with the adoption of Law 4375/2016, the asylum procedure underwent substantial changes, including the establishment of a speedier recognition procedure and automatic access to employment for holders of an asylum card. Law 4636/2019, modified by Law 4686/2020, was one of the first bills passed by the newly elected government in November 2019. Its Article 53 introduces a 6-month delay on access to the labour market for asylum seekers, but there are no changes for beneficiaries of international protection and subsidiary protection beneficiaries. Law 4939/2022 was also created to bring together the pre-existing, scattered laws on the reception, and international protection of third-country nationals and stateless persons, and the provision for temporary protection in the emergency event of a mass influx of displaced third-country nationals.

Integration law

Greece does not have any self-standing integration legislation, apart from Articles 128 and 129 of the Immigration and Social Integration Code which will continue with the new Immigration Code Law 5038/2023. It is important to mention that there has been some development in the field of integration based on Law 4368/2016 which established the Migrant Integration Centres (MICs) in municipalities. Also, with Article 78 of Law 4555/2018, the municipality-based Migrant Integration Councils were renamed to Migrant and Refugee Integration Councils.

Citizenship law

The first Greek Citizenship Code was adopted in 2004. Since then, 3 modifications have been made: in 2010, 2015 and 2020. The latest amendment is based on Law 4735/2020, valid since 1 April 2021. The new law establishes a new system of naturalisation, articulating the need for transparency, speed, and efficiency.      

Anti-discrimination

Greece adopted its first legislation to punish acts or actions of racial discrimination in 1979. The 2014 Law, in addition, combats certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia. In 2015, the National Council against Racism and Intolerance (NCRI) was established by Law 4356/2015, as an advisory body. In 2021 a multilingual guide for the rights of hate crime victims was created as part of a project entitled Developing a Comprehensive Strategy against Racism, Intolerance and Hate Crime, funded by the 2014-2020 Rights, Equality and Citizenship programme.

Following the July 2019 general elections, the previous Ministry for Migration Policy, which was the main governmental body responsible for issues related to migration integration, was replaced by a new Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

At the local level, Article 75 of the 2006 Code of Communes and Municipalities established certain competencies for municipalities regarding the integration of migrants. The active involvement of large cities and towns with a high concentration of migrant populations has since notably increased. Municipalities provide temporary accommodation, social assistance, Greek language courses, vocational training and health services. Most of these activities are financed through EU funding.

Local governmental structures were further re-organised in 2010 through the Kallikratis Programme. As a result, an important part of the everyday implementation of the integration policy has been transferred to the new decentralised authorities. The reform reinforced the role of municipalities and established that these decentralised structures would issue residence permits through 55 one-stop shops on integration spread across the territory.

The Public Employment Service (DYPA) also carries out activities meant to integrate migrants into the labour market. It offers targeted training and programmes to encourage the hiring of migrants. Since February 2018, migrants have been allowed to register as unemployed, which in turn provides ground for permanent residence in Greece.

The Migrant and Refugee Integration Councils, or Symvoulia Entaksis Metanaston kai Prosfygon, are advisory bodies at the municipal level which record and identify problems that interfere with the social integration of migrants and beneficiaries of international protection residing permanently in a municipality. These councils issue recommendations and proposals for the municipal council, meant to promote the development of local actions facilitating migrant integration. In cooperation with municipal services, the councils also organise actions to sensitise and strengthen the social cohesion within the local population. These councils include members who are elected municipal officers, as well as representatives of migrant communities and organisations.

There is no consultative body on integration at the national level. However, in 2016, the General Secretariat of Migration Policy of the interior ministry created a National Registry of organisations active in the field of migration, international protection and integration.

EU funds

Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing through several EU funds. In addition, national and private funds are made available for service providers and other stakeholders to carry out integration projects.

The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Greece

• Details: The EU contribution for Greece under the 2021-2027 AMIF programme is €407 733 799.64. Out of it, 46.4% was allocated to asylum, 24.4% to integration and legal migration and 23.6% to return activities. The remaining 6% is for technical assistance, to support the implementation of the programme. The Greek AMIF programme works on the following national integration priorities: training projects for TCNs, including unaccompanied children (UAMs) to facilitate their inclusion in the education system; setting of accommodation structures for UAMs; assistance to the integration of TCNs into the labour market; establishment of a guardianship system for UAMs in Greece.
• National Managing Authority: The national managing authority for AMIF in Greece is the Special Service for the Coordination and Management of Home Affairs Funds of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Greece

• Details: The ESF+ invests over €5.3 billion in Greece to promote employment, skills upgrading (including in terms of the digital and green transitions), quality and inclusive education and training, as well as high-level, accessible social inclusion services.
• National managing authority: Further information about the ESF in Greece can be found on a dedicated website. 

Other EU funds for integration available in Greece

ERASMUS+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe

National managing authorities:

• • Greek State Scholarships Foundation (education and training)

  • Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation (youth)

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances

National managing authority: The ERDF in Greece is coordinated through various special and regional managing authorities.

Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), offering material assistance to the most vulnerable or in need

National managing authority: Greek Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supporting the development of rural economies and communities

National managing authority: Special Management Service of the Rural Development Programme

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

National managing authority: Special Service for Coordination of Fisheries and Seas; EMFF supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies and finances projects that create jobs and improve the quality of life along European coasts.

Other funds

Other public funding in Greece

• Ministry of Economy and Finance
• Ministry of Development and Investment

Private funding in Greece

• Onassis Public Benefit Foundation
• Stavros Niarchos Foundation
• Bodossaki Foundation
• SolidarityNow

Providing integration services

• Municipality of Athens
• Municipality of Thessaloniki
• Greek Council for Refugees
• Greek Forum of Refugees
• NGO Anasa
• Nostos organisation for social integration
• NGO Babel – SYNeirmos
• Melissa Network of migrant women
• NGO METAction
• NGO PRAKSIS
• NGO ARSIS
• NGO Amaka
• Greek Forum of Migrants
• Greek Forum of Refugees
• UNHCR Greece
• IOM Greece
• ANKA-ANAPTIXIAKI KARDITSAS
• ANKAA Project-Vocational Training
• HIAS

Implementing the integration programme

NA

Campaigning

• Hellenic League for Human Rights
• Generation 2.0
• NGO Antigone
• NGO ANCE Hellas
• Medicines du Monde Greece
• Association for the Social Support of Youth
• Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights
• NGO Arogi AMKE 
• Human Rights 360
• Refugee Support Aegean

Publishing research and statistics

• Ministry of Migration and Asylum
• Ministry of Interior – Data on naturalisations 
• Hellenic Statistical Authority
• IKA-ETAM Social Insurance Institute