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Which ministry has overall responsibility?

Ministry of Interior
Are there other ministries involved?
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Diplomatic missions abroad (in particular the Consular authorities)

Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection

Ministry of Education, Research and and Religion

Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and social solidarity

Are there decentralized entities involved?

Greek local government structures were re-organised in 2010 (Programme “Kallikratis”). As a result, an important part of the implementation of migration and integration policy has been transferred to the newly-formed Decentralised Administration Structures ( decentralized authorities of the State). As far as the issuance of residence permits to non-EU citizens (legal residence) is concerned, the procedure is carried out by “one-stop shop services” of the Decentralized Administration Authorities and 1 “one-stop shop service of the Ministry for Migration Policy.

This local government reform (“Kallikratis” Programme) has also introduced the setting up of Migrant Integration Councils (MICs) in the 325 Municipalities of the country. MICs are entrusted with a consultative role on issues pertaining to migrant integration in local communities. They include elected municipal counselors, representatives of migrant communities in each municipality and representatives of related non-governmental organizations. Since the latest local government elections in 2010 and until July 2013, 220 MIC’s had been set up, while some of them being more active than others. Since Summer 2016 106 MIC's have been in operation while some of them are being more active than others.

What are the implementing agencies?

The Directorates of Aliens and Immigration and of Decentralised Administrations.

The Directorate General of the Ministry for Migration Policy

Are there general immigration policy papers?

National Strategy for the Integration of non-EU nationals (April 2013) “ A Revision of the National Strategy for Integration of migrants and beneficiaries of international protection, is about to be finalised in the upcoming period”.

Are there impact assessments, studies and reports available?

The National Strategic Reference Framework (2014-2020)

The Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), [comprehensive plan for health coverage – full title/link not found]

Zavvou Al., Kambouri N. & Stratigaki M., (eds) (2013), Gender, migration, interculturalism, publications Nisos.

Papandreou G.P. (2013), Children of immigration in Athens, the policy of belonging and the dark sides of adjustment, publications Nisos.

Papastergiou, V. and Tako, E. (2013), Information Booklet entitled “Migration in Greece: 11 myths and even more truths”, Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, Greek Annex.

Dimitriadi, A. (2013), Transit Migration in Greece. The case of Afghans, Pakistanis and Bangladeshi, publications Nisos.

Greece: Annual Policy Report 2012, E.ME.DIA, March 2013.

Greece: Annual Policy Report 2014, Centre for European Constitutional Law, May 2015

Greece: Annual Policy Report 2015, Centre for Security Studies, May 2016

Triandafyllidou, A. and Maroufof, M. (2012), Greece: Report prepared for the SOPEMI meeting, Paris, 28-30 November 212,

Afouksenidis, A., Sarris, N. & Tsakiridi, O. (eds.) (2012), Integration of Migrants: Perceptions, Policies and Practices, Athens EKKE.

EMN – European Migration Network (2012) Greece: Annual Policy Report 2011, March 2012. Troumbeta, S. (2012), The refugee and migration issue, Border crossing and study, Papazissis publications.

EMN -European Migration Network (2014): Admitting third-country nationals for business purposes, Institute of International Relations

EMN-European Migration Network (2015) : Determining labour shortages and the need for labour migration from third countries in the EU, Institute of International Relations

EMN-European Migration Network ( 2015): Changes in immigration status and purpose of stay: an overview of EU Member States approaches, Institute of International Relations

TRIANDAFYLLIDOU, A. (with the assistance of M. MAROUFOF) (2011) GREECE: Report prepared for the SOPEMI meeting, Paris, 30 November - 2 December 2011.

National Center of Social Research “EKKE” – Panteion University, Department of Sociology – Centre for Research on Women’s Issues (2011) ”Female migration in Greece” co-financed by the European Fund for the integration of third country nationals.

Naoumi M., Papapetrou G., Spyropoulou N., Chryssakis M., Fronimou E. (eds) (2010), The Social Portrait of Greece, Social Policy Institute, National Center of Social Research-EKKE.

Maroukis Th., (2010), Economic migration in Greece. Labour market and social integration, Papazissis publishers, Athens.

TRIANDAFYLLIDOU, A. AND MAROUFOF, M. (2010), GREECE: Report prepared for the SOPEMI meeting, Paris, 1-3 December 2010.

Triantafyllidou, A and Maroukis, Th. (2010) “Migration in 21st century Greece”, Kritiki editions, Athens.

Tsigganou, I et al. (2010) “Migration and Crime – Myths and Reality”, National Center of Social Research-EKKE, Athens.

Varouxis, Ch., Sarris, N. and Fragkiskou, A. (ed) (2009) “Aspects of migration and migration policy in Greece today”, National Center of Social Research-EKKE, Athens.

The Migration Policy Puzzle: sharing responsibilities for managing immigration and integration, the Hellenic Migration Policy Institute, 2009.

Estimate of the illegal population in Greece, the Hellenic Migration Policy Institute, 2008.

Capturing the benefits of migration in Southeastern Europe, the Hellenic Migration Policy Institute, 2007.

Managing immigration: the Greek, EU and international contexts, the Hellenic Migration Policy Institute, 2006.

Statistical data on immigrants in Greece, the Hellenic Migration Policy Institute, 2004.

What is the key legislation?

Presidential Degree 123/2016, Establishment of Ministry for Migration Policy

Law 4332/2015 amending the Migration and Social Integration Code (Law 4251 /2014)

Code for Migration and Social Integration and other provisions (Law 4251/2014, Government Gazette A’ 80, 1 April 2014) incorporating all pertinent legislation and all EC Directives previously transposed in national legislation. This Code for Migration and Social Integration will come into effect on 1 June 2014. For the two month period from the date the Law was passed until it is put into force, transition provisions included in the Code apply.

Recent Legislative Development

A new Development Law was passed by the Greek Parliament in late June 2016, bringing new incentives for investments in the country (Law 4399/2016). A main feature was a facilitation provision by virtue of which third country citizens legally residing in Greece holding either a residence permit or an entry visa or a long term residence permit issued by another EU member state, now have the right to apply in Greece for a residence permit for investment activity, provided the project plan has been approved by the Ministry of Development. Applications are filed with the Ministry of Migration Policy (instead of Greek Consular Authorities) and permits are issued within five days.

What are the national scientific research and statistical offices on immigration?

Hellenic Statistical Authority

Ministry for Migration Policy