Greece reports 20% rise in migrant returns, 27% drop in illegal arrivals

During the first half of 2026 Greece recorded a 20% increase in total migrant returns compared with the same period in 2025. Forced deportations rose from 915 to 1,292, a 41% jump, while voluntary returns through the International Organization for Migration increased from 740 to 870, an 18% gain. Self‑initiated departures amounted to 468, slightly down from 488 the year before.

Illegal sea arrivals fell by 27%, falling to 12,496 from 16,985. Among nationalities, arrivals of Egyptian nationals dropped 72% (from about 2,800 to roughly 800) while Egyptian returns surged nearly fourfold to 227. Pakistani arrivals (180) roughly matched returns (169). The government’s “prison or return” policy, introduced earlier, has led 599 undocumented migrants to opt for voluntary return to avoid incarceration. Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris said, “Anyone who comes illegally has no right to stay; the doctrine is prison or return.”