Work In Greece

Since 2016, Greece has been a major entry point for refugees, particularly from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and later Ukraine. Many refugees have lived in overcrowded camps on islands like Lesbos, Chios, and Samos, where asylum processing has been delayed due to backlogs and technical issues. Greece’s policy of designating Turkey as a “safe third country” for certain nationalities has led to an increase in inadmissible applications, though this policy has faced legal challenges. The closure of the ESTIA program in 2022, which provided urban accommodation, worsened living conditions, forcing refugees into overcrowded camps with inadequate healthcare, education, and support for vulnerable groups like unaccompanied minors.

The 2024 increase in child arrivals, particularly unaccompanied minors, highlights the growing vulnerability of certain refugee groups. With more than 6,400 children arriving by mid-2024, including over 1,500 unaccompanied minors, the humanitarian response has to be more focused on providing protective services, shelters, and legal support for these young people. Asylum processing continues to be slow and mired in backlogs, which further compounds the challenges refugees face in Greece.