According to sources from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, Minister Thanos Plevris has signed a circular providing clear guidance for implementing Article 27 of Law 5226/25, which stipulates a prison sentence of at least two years for those who remain illegally in the country. Through this circular, the Ministry makes it clear that from now on, the term “irregular migration” is abolished from all official documents and replaced with the legally precise term “illegal migration“. This change is deemed necessary to reflect the new legislative framework that strengthens the distinction between legal and illegal residence in the country.
At the same time, orders have been given to immediately inform all residents in accommodation facilities that in case of asylum application rejection, they will be subject to administrative detention for up to 24 months, while also facing imprisonment from two to five years. The only way to avoid serving the sentence is voluntary return to their country of origin. The same sources emphasize that the circular’s objective is to clearly outline the package of measures provided by the new legislation, as well as to ensure immediate cooperation with the Greek Police. For this reason, it is mandated that after any asylum application rejection, administrators of accommodation facilities must immediately notify the relevant authorities.
