Greece sees rise in migrant returns and drop in illegal arrivals in 2026

Government data for the first half of 2026 show a 20 % increase in total migrant returns to Greece, rising to 2,638 from 2,207 the previous year. Forced removals jumped 41 % to 1,292, while voluntary returns via the International Organization for Migration grew 18 % to 870 and voluntary departures reached 468.

Sea‑borne illegal arrivals fell 27 %, decreasing from 16,985 to 12,496. arrivals from Egypt dropped 72 % and Egyptian returns nearly quadrupled; Pakistani arrivals and returns were roughly balanced.

The Ministry of Migration and Asylum is expanding reception facilities on Crete and participating in EU talks on “return hubs” in African third‑countries, with a technical meeting scheduled in Copenhagen. At the same time, a new ministerial decree provides free legal guidance to asylum seekers and a €250 reward for lawyers whose clients leave voluntarily within two months.

Critics argue the overall “anti‑immigration” approach is failing, pointing to the decline in repatriations against the government’s 2022‑2027 target of a 15 % yearly increase.