Asylum Recognition Rate in Greece Falls to 37%

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The asylum recognition rate in Greece fell to 37% during the first eight months of 2026, compared with 72% in 2024 and 58% in 2025, according to sources from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

The same sources said that even nationalities previously considered to have a refugee profile, including citizens of Afghanistan and Sudan who in the past received asylum in almost 100% of cases, now record recognition rates below 70%.

According to the ministry sources, the decline reflects the immediate rejection of applications on administrative grounds, the application of individualised criteria and the consideration of safe third countries through which applicants have travelled.

The stated goal is to reduce the recognition rate further so that asylum goes only to people who genuinely qualify for international protection, the sources said.

Among nationalities without a refugee profile, which have recorded increased arrivals, particularly from Bangladesh as well as Egypt and Pakistan, the asylum recognition rate stands below 1%.

Following the implementation of the Migration Pact in June 2026, people without a refugee profile remain subject to restrictions on their freedom until authorities examine and reject their applications and then return them, according to the ministry sources. They do not acquire the right to work under the policy described as “prison or return”.

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