Greece to implement stricter EU migration and asylum rules from June 12

From 12 June the new European Migration and Asylum Agreement will be applied in Greece. The framework introduces mandatory biometric screening of all irregular arrivals, fast‑track asylum procedures with decisions required within 12 weeks, and an expanded Eurodac system for digital monitoring.

Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris described the agreement as “a necessary tool to protect European borders” and stressed a clear separation between refugees and illegal migrants, promising tighter returns and detention of up to 12 weeks for those denied protection.

Parliamentary debate turned heated: the governing New Democracy party faced criticism from PASOK, SYRIZA and the New Left over the bill’s severity, with accusations of hypocrisy and past policy failures. MP Kostas Arvanitis warned that the draft would extend detention, including for unaccompanied minors, and breach international child‑rights standards.

The government says the measures will channel likely‑asylum seekers to open reception centres while others will be placed in closed facilities pending a swift decision. Officials note that Greece’s asylum system has improved in recent years, but the new rules require additional staff, interoperable IT systems and intensified cooperation among police, coast guard and EU agencies such as Frontex and EUAA.