Greece tackles surge in Libya‑to‑Crete migrant crossings

The main migration route to Greece has shifted, with refugees now attempting the dangerous sea crossing from Libya directly to Crete. In 2025 about 6,000 migrants have arrived on the island, and UNHCR data show roughly 11,000 arrivals in the first five months of the year. Greek migration minister Thanos Plevris warned that if the trend continues “very hard measures” will be taken, beyond the temporary suspension of asylum applications that Greece imposed last summer.

Frontex’s internal risk analysis reported that trips on the Libya‑Crete corridor have tripled this year and expects continued pressure on the route. The agency advised the EU to negotiate a new agreement with Libya and to adopt stronger deterrence measures. It also highlighted rising risks of weapons, ammunition and cocaine smuggling linked to the same maritime pathway, and noted potential security implications for Europe’s external borders.