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Thanos Plevris reports 20,000 fewer illegal arrivals in Greece
Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris announced a significant reduction in illegal migrant arrivals during the period from August 2025 to July 2026. Speaking at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, Plevris stated that illegal arrivals dropped to 41,900, compared to 61,012 recorded between August 2024 and August 2025.
The Minister attributed this decrease of approximately 20,000 arrivals to the effective work of the Coast Guard and the implementation of deterrent measures, including new legal frameworks that involve imprisonment for certain migrants. He also noted an increase in the number of returns.
Plevris emphasized a policy of ‘imprisonment or return’ for those not entitled to asylum. He further argued against the idea that migration can solve demographic issues like low birth rates, asserting that Greece has taken a leading role in shifting European migration policy toward stricter enforcement and asylum regulations.
Entities
Ministry of Migration and Asylum · Thanos Plevris · Thessaloniki International Fair
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Returns of migrants have increased. www.rthess.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.zougla.gr
- [DISPUTED] There were 41,900 illegal arrivals between August 2025 and July 2026. www.rthess.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.zougla.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The decrease is attributed to Coast Guard work and new deterrent measures including imprisonment. www.rthess.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.zougla.gr
- [DISPUTED] There were 61,012 illegal arrivals between August 2024 and August 2025. www.rthess.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.zougla.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Illegal arrivals decreased by approximately 20,000 during the specified period. www.rthess.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.zougla.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Thanos Plevris reported a decrease in illegal arrivals. www.rthess.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.zougla.gr