Introduction
In early February, the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum published its Annual Statistics Report on Asylum and Migration for 2024. This note by MedMA presents key findings and trends from the report, complemented by other publicly available datasets (Eurostat, Hellenic Statistic Authority, Hellenic Parliament) when needed. The note is divided into two categories: 1) International Protection and 2) Migration. This note aims to inform stakeholders and the general public about migration trends and the impact of relevant policies in Greece. By leveraging our expertise, we contribute to the public discourse and enhance understanding of migration dynamics and policy effects.
International Protection
Arrivals
The annual report presents two categories of irregular arrivals: a) The arrivals through the Eastern Mediterranean route (from Türkiye) and b) the arrivals through the Central Mediterranean Route (passage from North Africa), apprehended by the Police. By the end of 2024, the total number of irregular arrivals from Türkiye reached 56,066, reaching 10,000 more than 2023. Of these, 48,479 individuals arrived on the islands, while 7,587 arrived on Evros. At the same time, 5,987 people arrived through the Central Mediterranean Route. For a clearer understanding of these movements, refer to the map below.
Over the course of the year, 36,461 individuals were transferred from the 5 main islands with Closed Controlled Access Centers (C.C.A.C.) to the mainland. The basis of these transfers is not provided in the report. It can be safely assumed that they include the 5,761 vulnerable persons that were registered during the first 9 months of 2024. By the end of 2024, the total population of asylum seekers remaining on the islands stood at 12,407. For a deeper understanding of the connection between arrivals, C.C.A.C. capacity and transfers you can browse the visualization below.
Applications for International Protection
By the end of 2024, applications for international protection reached 73,687, the highest number since 2019, as can be seen here. Syria and Afghanistan continue to be the top nationalities. There was also a notable increase in applications from Egyptian nationals, marking a shift compared to previous years.
A detailed breakdown of the geographical distribution of asylum applicants in state-run facilities can be explored here. For a detailed view of the nationalities of applicants since 2013 you can visit this interactive MedMA chart, which is based on Eurostat datasets.
Decisions on the Applications for International Protection
As seen below, in 2024, the decisions on applications for international protection varied significantly. At first instance, a total of 39,271 (51%) decisions granted refugee status, while 296 granted subsidiary protection. 10,550 applications were rejected on merit, indicating the applicants did not meet the protection criteria. Additionally, 7,330 applications were rejected on admissibility grounds, meaning they were not examined on their merit. Furthermore, 19,945 (26%) applications were withdrawn. Based on the methodology that MedMA uses (see here) out of the cases that were examined on merit (39,567), 78% were granted refugee status and 1% received subsidiary protection. On the other hand, at second instance, 4% of the cases were granted refugee status. For a more granular look at the positive decisions in the last years, you can also visit MedMA’s presentation.
Unaccompanied Minors
In 2024, 5.3% of the applications for international protection were submitted by unaccompanied minors, a percentage consistent with the previous years, according to this Eurostat-based chart. At the same time, 3% of all positive decisions pertain to cases involving unaccompanied minors (UAMs). This proportion is generally consistent across nationalities. However, a notable deviation is observed in the case of Somalia, where 27% of all positive decisions for Somali applicants concern UAMs, representing 250 out of 924 cases. This is consistent with the nationalities of asylum applicants in 2023 who were unaccompanied minors, as shown in the Eurostat data below.
Beneficiaries of Protection
The number of beneficiaries of international protection (people with a residence permit) has risen by almost 30,000 compared to 2023, thereby reaching a total of 83,895.
The number of beneficiaries of temporary protection has grown by approximately 8,000, reaching 32,572 compared to 26,848 in 2023. The nationality breakdown remains unchanged, with Ukrainian nationals continuing to represent the vast majority of the total, according to Eurostat data.
Migration
Residence Permits
In the field of migration, the Report provides the number of Residence permits according to the Eurostat categorization. In 2024, the total number of valid residence permits increased by nearly 30,000 compared to 2023, a figure consistent with the rise in permits issued for work purposes, as the number of work-related residence permits reached 119,517, compared to 94,368 in 2023. Moreover, 287,397 applications have been submitted and are pending issuance of the permit. According to Article 10 of L.5038/2023, in these (pending) cases the applicants have a temporary residence status and temporary access to the rights provided by the residence permits.
The top nationality is Albanian with a vast difference from the second one, China.
For a detailed view of migrant nationalities over the last decade, visit MedMA’s interactive chart here. Finally, the Ministry provides an overview of the geographic distribution of migrants in Greece by illustrating the number of applications submitted and processed in each region over the past seven years (2017–2024). However, since these figures represent the total number of permits issued per region during the last 7 years, they do not allow for precise conclusions regarding the actual distribution of migrants.
Investors Program
The Investor Permanent Residence Permit (Golden Visa) foreseen in Article 100 of L. 5038/2023, falls under the “Other” category of residence permits in Greece. It grants five-year renewable residence rights to third-country nationals who invest in real estate, providing a pathway to Greek citizenship. Investors can lease their properties and extend residence rights to family members. The program has significantly influenced the Greek real estate market, particularly in urban and high-demand areas. Since September 2024, the minimum investment threshold has increased from €250,000 to €800,000 in high-demand areas (Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and larger islands) and to €400,000 elsewhere, with purchases restricted to a single property.
Analysis of initial residence permits issued under this program shows a steady increase in foreign homeownership in Greece. The dominant investor nationalities include China, Turkey, Russia, and Middle Eastern countries.
Regularization
Greece has recently implemented a regularization program foreseen in Article 193 of L. 5078/2023, aimed at addressing labor shortages in key sectors such as agriculture, construction, and tourism. This policy seeks to integrate irregular migrants into the formal economy and thus alleviating workforce deficits.
The data provided on the implementation of this program provide us with a first view of the number of undocumented migrants in Greece.
In 2024, 43,625 third-country nationals applied for the special residence permit, showing the demand for legal work status in Greece. Of these, 9,224 (21% of applicants) have received their full residence permit. 27,118 applicants (62% of total applicants) have received a receipt certificate, allowing them to reside regularly and work in Greece while awaiting the final decision. 16,047 cases are waiting for final permit approval, meaning these applicants already have the receipt certificate but are still in the queue for full residence permits. Finally, 16,507 applications (38% of total) are waiting for approval of their receipt certificate, and thus they have not obtained a legal residence status yet.
It should be noted that Greece already had a regularization mechanism for irregular migrants who have resided in the country for at least seven years, as outlined in Article 134, paragraph 5 of Law 5038/2023. While the Ministry’s report does not provide information on this process, data obtained through the parliamentary scrutiny process—specifically from the Ministry’s response to a parliamentary question submitted by the PASOK- Movement for Change party- indicate that as of November 30, 2024, a total of 23,402 individuals had been regularized through this process, with an additional 13,793 applications still pending.
Takeaways and Policy Considerations
A fundamental aspect of understanding a country’s migration profile and population dynamics is the total number of residing non-nationals. In the context of Greece, this includes EU citizens, members of the Greek diaspora who have not yet been naturalized, third-country nationals who work, study, or were born in the country, beneficiaries of protection (international, subsidiary, or temporary), asylum applicants, and irregular migrants, whether detained or not.
The total number of the two last categories (asylum applicants and irregular migrants) in Greece is not provided in the annual statistics report of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Therefore, we calculate the number of permanent non-Greek residents at the end of 2024 at 870,659.
Policy consideration: Publicly accessible and comprehensive data on all categories of non-Greek residents—including applicants, asylum seekers, and irregular migrants—is essential for effective policy assessment and informed public debate. Greater transparency in data collection and reporting will support evidence-based decision-making and also foster a more constructive dialogue on migration and its impact on Greek society.
Asylum and Protection Trends
Irregular Arrivals: In 2024, 56,066 individuals arrived irregularly via the Eastern Mediterranean Route (Aegean islands and Evros), marking a 10,000-person increase from 2023. An additional 5,987 arrivals were recorded via the Central Mediterranean Route.
Policy Consideration: As migration patterns evolve, a more agile and well-resourced reception system can help ensuring humane conditions while meeting legal obligations.
Asylum Applications: Applications for international protection reached 73,687, the highest number since 2019, with Syria and Afghanistan remaining the top nationalities. A notable rise in applications from Egypt was observed. UAMs accounted for 5.3% of all asylum applications, with 3% of all positive asylum decisions concerning UAMs. Among Somali applicants, 27% of positive decisions were for UAM cases.
Policy Consideration: The continued rise in applications highlights the need for investment in asylum processing capacity to safeguard the right to a fair and timely assessment.
Beneficiaries of Protection: The number of individuals holding international protection status increased by 30,000, reaching 83,895, while beneficiaries of temporary protection (mainly Ukrainians) grew to 32,572.
Policy consideration: As more people transition from asylum-seeking to protected status, enhanced integration frameworks will be needed to support long-term social cohesion and economic participation.
Migration and Residence Permits
Residence Permits: The number of valid residence permits increased by nearly 30,000 compared to 2023, primarily driven by residence permits issued for employment purposes, which reached 119,517 in 2024 (up from 94,368 in 2023). An additional 287,397 residence permit applications are still pending, meaning a significant portion of non-national residents remains in temporary legal status.
Policy consideration: The increasing reliance on migrant workers presents an opportunity to develop more structured labor migration policies that support economic growth and ensure decent working conditions and rights protections. Additionally, an investment on the efficiency of residence permit processing will be needed to support this impact.
Investors: Foreign ownership of real estate in Greece has increased through the Golden Visa program. The program continues to attract strong investors from China, Turkey, Russia, and Middle Eastern countries, leading to a growing share of foreign-owned property in key markets.
Policy consideration: The expansion of foreign land ownership is transforming housing markets, property values, and local economic conditions. The increase in investment requirements is expected to shift demand geographically, potentially diverting investment to less saturated markets.
Regularization program: A total of 43,625 third-country nationals applied for a special residence permit under the new regularization program aimed at addressing labor shortages in key sectors.
Policy consideration: The high number of applicants confirms the practical necessity of regularization policies in labor market needs. Ensuring efficient processing and clear pathways to long-term residence will maximize the socioeconomic benefits of this initiative.
Proposals for Enhancing Policy Monitoring
The following proposals are directed to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, as well as other relevant government agencies in migration data management.
- Improve Asylum Statistics: Ensure asylum data captures all applicants, including those residing outside Ministry-managed facilities and unaccompanied minors, to provide a more complete picture of trends.
- Enhance Residence Permit Reporting: Provide granular data on residence permits by category, nationality, and region to improve policy design and responsiveness.
- Expand Regularization Data Collection: Publish detailed statistics on regularization applicants by nationality, gender, and employment sector to assess the relevant trends.