LEGAL AID FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS IN GREECE

OUR SERVICES

During this reporting period, our lawyers have been managing 94 cases ( 55 new, 19 resolved and 20 ongoing), involving clients of 25 nationalities across 28 locations and requiring interpretation and translation in 10 languages. Managing this caseload requires sustained coordination, interpretation, and legal follow-up.

Despite funding constraints and a more restrictive operating environment, ASsIST has continued to provide:

• Information and legal assistance services available in 12+ languages, with interpreter support as required
• Preparation for key asylum and administrative interviews and applications
• Support for rejected applicants facing new penalties or administrative detention
• Follow-up assistance for people at risk of homelessness, removal, or prolonged detention
• Regular translation and explanation of legal developments

CASE ILLUSTRATION

A Sudanese family of four sought assistance after arriving in Greece from Sudan via Libya. Following a review of their circumstances, ASsIST supported their transfer to more suitable accommodation and referral to the Independent Asylum Office for Vulnerable Persons. When their asylum interviews were unexpectedly brought forward by almost a year, our legal team organised urgent preparation sessions and accompanied both parents to their interviews. Fifteen days later, the family was granted international protection and is now receiving support with residence permits and travel documents. [Case study attached].

ARRIVALS AND LOSS OF LIFE

Arrivals by sea and land to Greece have continued through 2025 and 2026, including increased crossings toward Crete and the southern islands.

By 21 June 2026, a further 14,814 people had arrived (11,675 by sea and 3,139 by land). Of those arriving by sea, 54,65% [8,082 people] arrived via the extremely dangerous route from the north coast of Africa, for the most part from Libya. These figures illustrate the scale of arrivals, but not the complexity of the legal, practical and personal challenges many people face upon arrival.

 ASsIST maintains a deliberately low public profile. Our limited resources are best dedicated to serving clients on a careful, confidential, case-by-case basis.

During the same period, implementation of the EU Pact advanced further, and discussions concerning expanded return measures and accelerated procedures continued at both EU and national level.

In this increasingly complex environment, access to accurate information and experienced legal guidance remains essential for asylum seekers and recognised refugees seeking to understand and exercise their rights.

DEVELOPMENTS IMPACTING ON OUR CLIENTS

2026 continues to be a year in which access to information, legal assistance and other essential services is becoming increasingly difficult for people seeking protection in Greece and, increasingly, across the European Union.

During the reporting period, implementation of the Pact advanced further at both EU and national levels. On 12 June 2026, the European Union confirmed the commencement date for implementation of the Pact, while on 17 June agreement was reached on new measures intended to strengthen return procedures across the European Union. These developments are expected to have significant implications for asylum procedures, detention and returns in the years ahead.

Greece remains among the Member States furthest advanced in implementing these reforms.

For a fuller discussion of recent legal and policy developments, see Newsletter No. 5 attached.

OUR NEWSLETTERS

ASsIST has now published five newsletters in 2026. Newsletter No. 5 is attached and Newsletter No. 6 is currently in preparation. These publications provide accessible analysis of legal and policy developments affecting asylum seekers and refugees in Greece and across Europe.

LOOKING AHEAD

As implementation of the EU Pact continues and national policies evolve, access to fair process is likely to remain uneven and unpredictable. At the same time, civil society organisations face reduced funding opportunities and increasingly harsh administrative and regulatory constraints.

In this environment, ASsIST chooses to maintain a low profile while our Team remains committed to providing independent information and legal assistance to those seeking protection in Greece.

Your support enables us to continue providing independent information, legal guidance, and procedural assistance where it is most needed.

• Donate
• Volunteer
• Subscribe to our newsletter via our website and stay informed.

Links:

• ASsIST.CH website

• ASsIST June 2026 Newsletter (PDF)
  
• Case Study: A family from Sudan (PDF)
  

2026 is ASsIST’s Year of Shared Humanity. It is also a year in which access to basic and essential services is becoming increasingly difficult for people seeking protection in Greece and, increasingly, across Europe.

This includes access to accurate information and experienced legal guidance, available through ASsIST in 12+ languages with interpreter support as required.

As the European Union moves from adopting the Pact on Migration and Asylum to implementing it at national level (see ASsIST Newsletter, 2026/1), administrative practice is reshaping the complicated system within which our clients must navigate registration, interviews, appeals, and daily survival. Greece is among the Member States most advanced in implementing accelerated border procedures, expanded detention regimes, and return-related measures.

In this environment, independent information and experienced legal support remain essential to fair process, enabling asylum seekers and recognised refugees to understand and exercise their rights.

Arrivals and Loss of Life

Arrivals by sea and land to Greece have continued through 2025 and early 2026, including increased crossings toward Crete and the southern islands.

In 2025, 48,771 people arrived in Greece seeking international protection (41,696 by sea and 7,075 via land borders).[1].“Arrivalsto Crete and Gavdos increased fourfold compared to the previous year, with Crete being the main point of entry for refugees arriving in Greece: a total of 20,187 people arrived by sea” – an extremely dangerous route - according to the Hellenic Coast Guard, 99.40% of refugees who arrived in Crete and Gavdos in 2025 departed from Libya [2]. Reported only as an annual figure, in 2025, 103 persons are recorded as ‘Dead or Missing’ {UNHCR}. 

By 22 February 2026, a further 3,090 people had arrived (1,970 by sea and 1,120 by land). These figures frame the scale of need, but not the complexity of the situations people face on arrival. [Source: UNHCR]. In the Aegean Sea, there have already been several incidents of loss of life. On 03 February 2026, 15 lives were lost off the shores of Chios and 6 lives lost off the shore of Lesvos soon after.[3]

Loss of life on migration routes remains a serious concern, including an increase in fatalities in the Aegean Sea this year.

 Behind each number is a person — a parent, a child, a friend — who sought safety. Most were fleeing war and persecution; many had already encountered violence at home and along their journey; all had suffered the loss of home and security.

Legal and Policy Developments

Recent legal and policy changes continue to reshape the system within which asylum seekers and recognised refugees must assert their rights:

• Accelerated border and admissibility procedures
• Expanded use of administrative detention
• Criminal penalties connected to non-departure
• Increased financial barriers for subsequent applications
• Ongoing national implementation of the EU Pact

While presented as administrative reform, these changes can and do result in:

• Reduced time to access legal advice
• Increased risk of procedural error
• Greater pressure on reception and legal aid systems

In this context, early access to clear information and experienced Greek lawyers remains critical.

Our Services: Consistency Under Pressure

Despite funding constraints and a more restrictive operating environment, ASsIST has continued to provide:

• Information and legal assistance services available in 12+ languages, with interpreter support as required
• Preparation for key asylum and administrative interviews and applications
• Support for rejected applicants facing new penalties or administrative detention
• Follow-up assistance for people at risk of homelessness, removal, or prolonged detention
• Regular translation and explanation of legal developments

From 01 November 2025 to 11 February 2026, our lawyers were managing 57 cases (37 new and 20 ongoing), involving clients of 21 nationalities across 17 locations and requiring interpretation and translation in 10 languages. Managing this caseload requires sustained coordination, interpretation, and legal follow-up.

Case Illustration

During this reporting period, ASsIST supported an asylum seeker whose initial claim had been rejected after he had not felt able to fully disclose the basis of his persecution during his first procedure. With only one week before a second interview, he sought assistance.

Our team arranged urgent legal preparation, and ASsIST’s lawyer accompanied him to the interview to help ensure that the procedure was conducted fairly and with appropriate attention to sensitive issues. Over several consultations, the applicant was able to clarify key elements of his case and present his circumstances more fully.

The outcome remains pending. However, the case has now been presented on a stronger legal foundation, and he is no longer facing the challenges of the asylum process alone.

We work with a deliberately low public profile. Our limited resources are best dedicated to serving clients on a careful, confidential, case-by-case basis.

Publications and Knowledge Sharing

Since our last GlobalGiving report, ASsIST has launched a regular newsletter series:

Two editions in 2025

One edition in early 2026 [copy attached.

Newsletter No. 2/2026 currently in preparation

These publications aim to inform by providing accessible analysis of legal and policy developments affecting our clients.

Looking Ahead: Shared Humanity in a Difficult Context

As EU and national reforms continue to be implemented, access to fair procedures is likely to remain uneven and unpredictable. Past experience shows that asylum systems in Greece are often inconsistent in practice, particularly during periods of legislative change.

At the same time, civil society organisations face reduced funding opportunities and increasing administrative and regulatory constraints.

In this increasingly difficult context, ASsIST remains committed to being prepared to assist those fleeing war, persecution, and instability with respect, clarity, and professionalism.

Your support enables us to continue providing independent information, legal guidance, and procedural assistance where it is most needed.

Donate 

Volunteer 

Subscribe to our newsletter via our website and stay informed. 

Links:

• ASsIST.CH website