Greek Minister Announces Closure of Thermopylae Migrant Reception Centre by End September

Immigration Minister Thanos Plevris said the migrant reception facility in Thermopylae will be officially closed on 30 September, with all legislative and administrative procedures completed so the site ceases operation from 1 October. He stated, “From 30 September the structure will become inactive, and from 1 October it will no longer function,” and emphasized that the centre no longer meets the country’s needs.

The closure is part of a broader overhaul of Greece’s reception‑centre network, driven by a significant drop in migration flows. Plevris noted the historic significance of the Thermopylae area and said the site will be repurposed for local community use.