The bill of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum in Greece has been approved.
Read in our article what is foreseen according to the questions and answers released by the Ministry.
📝 The bill of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum has been approved. According to the 21 questions and answers released by the Ministry, see below what is foreseen.
• What changes in the definition of “country of return”
The concept of "country of return" is broadened to include not only the country of habitual residence, but also a safe third country and the first country of asylum, if the application is rejected as inadmissible.
• Regarding the “risk of absconding”
The criteria are made more objective and strict, such as the lack of stable residence, changing location without notification, and refusal to be identified or take biometric data.
• The deadline for voluntary departure is reduced from twenty-five (25) days to fourteen (14). In exceptional cases, it may be extended up to 60 days, instead of the 120 days that applied until now.
• Electronic monitoring is added.
• When there is a risk to public order, national security, or public health, the entry ban into Greece becomes mandatory for up to ten (10) years, with the possibility of an extension for another five (5) years.
• What penalties are foreseen for illegal stay
For illegal stay, the penalty is a minimum of two (2) years imprisonment and a minimum fine of five thousand (5,000) euros.
Suspension is only possible if the offender voluntarily departs. Suspension is activated upon departure.
• The reasons for administrative detention are expanded, the appeal against it no longer has a suspensive effect, and the maximum duration is extended from eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) months.
• For illegal entry/re-entry into Greece, the penalties include at least two (2) years imprisonment and a fine of at least five thousand (5,000) euros.
For illegal re-entry for those listed in a blacklist of undesirables, the penalty includes at least three (3) years imprisonment and an increased fine of at least ten thousand (10,000) euros.
The penalty is not convertible. It is only suspended if the foreigner voluntarily departs from Greece.
• The granting of a residence permit is abolished for those who have illegally stayed in Greece for seven (7) years.
