Crete Migration Arrivals Put Growing Pressure on Greece

by · Greek City Times

Greece is facing growing pressure from migrant arrivals along its southern maritime borders, with Crete and Gavdos emerging as major entry points for people departing from North Africa.

In a commentary published by Liberal, journalist Yannis Sideris argues that the scale of the arrivals is placing an increasingly difficult burden on Greece, particularly as the country manages limited resources and growing opposition to temporary accommodation facilities.

The article cites approximately 26,000 migrant arrivals in Crete between the beginning of 2026 and early November, including an estimated 4,500 to 5,000 during October alone.

The latest figures come amid a series of deadly incidents at sea. The commentary refers to two separate shipwrecks near Crete in which 20 people died and another 87 were rescued.

Read more: More Than 450 Migrants Reach Greece by Sea in 24 Hours, Most Departing From Libya

Sideris argues that the migration route has increasingly shifted towards the Libyan coast, with Gavdos becoming a significant arrival point compared with the Aegean islands.

Sudan and Bangladesh account for major share of arrivals

According to the figures cited in the commentary, people arriving from Sudan and Bangladesh account for almost two-thirds of the overall flow.

They are followed by nationals from Afghanistan, Egypt and Eritrea, with smaller numbers from South Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Somalia.

The article also notes a change in the composition of arrivals compared with 2025, with fewer people coming from Egypt and increased numbers from Bangladesh and Sudan.

Around 80 per cent of those arriving are reportedly young men, while the arrivals also include minors.

The situation in Sudan remains particularly serious, with the country experiencing a prolonged conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary forces.

The fighting has caused widespread displacement, civilian casualties and a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people affected and some regions facing the threat of famine.

However, Sideris distinguishes between people fleeing conflict and those arriving primarily for economic reasons, pointing to Bangladesh and Egypt as countries where there is no comparable war driving departures.

Athens seeks cooperation with Bangladesh

Greece has reportedly asked Bangladesh to cooperate in reducing irregular migration, including by addressing travel routes through Libya and Egypt and accepting the return of its nationals who do not qualify to remain in Greece.

Bangladeshi nationals are identified in the commentary as the largest group among arrivals in Crete this year.

Although Bangladesh has formally expressed cooperation, the return process remains limited.

The article cites planned charter flights involving migrants held at the Sintiki facility, including a group of 93 people scheduled to be returned across three flights. It also refers to the transfer of 10 people on a joint flight involving Greece, Italy and Cyprus in October.

Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has reportedly said that four charter flights were planned, with one already completed.

Sideris also highlights an existing agreement between Greece and Bangladesh, signed in 2022, which provides for the legal migration of up to 4,000 Bangladeshi workers annually.

However, he argues that bureaucratic delays have prevented the agreement from being implemented effectively, despite requests from Bangladesh for improvements to the process.

Crete communities raise concerns over accommodation facilities

The increase in arrivals has also created difficulties for local authorities and communities in Crete.

The government has been using temporary accommodation facilities, including sites in Agia, Chania, an old refrigeration facility at Heraklion port and locations in Ierapetra.

However, the facilities were not necessarily designed to manage the scale or sudden change in migration routes from the Aegean towards the Libyan Sea.

The arrangements have prompted opposition from local residents and tourism businesses, with protests and legal challenges already reported.

Authorities are also considering transferring migrants to mainland Greece using chartered vessels before accommodating them in existing facilities.

Debate over Greece’s migration capacity

Sideris argues that the central issue is the scale of arrivals and whether Greece has the economic and administrative capacity to manage them.

The commentary criticises what it describes as inadequate border management and slow administrative procedures, while also challenging those who argue that Greece should accept arrivals without significant restrictions.

It distinguishes the humanitarian circumstances of people fleeing war from the wider policy question of managing irregular migration and economic migration.

The broader challenge, according to the article, is how Greece can meet its humanitarian and international obligations while managing arrivals that place sustained pressure on its border communities, public services and accommodation infrastructure.

The debate is particularly significant for Crete, where the shift in migration routes has brought a new level of pressure to an island whose economy relies heavily on tourism.

Source: Yannis Sideris, Liberal, November 10, 2026.

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