Ministry of Migration and Asylum publishes Q&As on the Pact

On 12 June 2026, the first day of entry into force of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum shared relevant information with the public, through a press release which can be summarised as follows: 

As of 12 June 2026, the Pact on Migration and Asylum comes into full force in all Member States of the European Union. It introduces a single European framework for managing migration, examining asylum requests, protecting external borders and strengthening returns.

1. What changes with the new Pact on Asylum and Migration?

The new Pact introduces stricter controls at external borders, faster asylum and return procedures, and a mandatory European solidarity mechanism to support frontline states, such as Greece.

2. What is screening and who does it concern?

Screening is the mandatory initial check applied to all those who enter the country illegally, regardless of whether they are applying for asylum. It includes identification procedures, health checks and extensive security checks.

3. How long does the screening process take?

The process is completed within 7 days at the border and within 3 days inland.

4. What happens after the screening is completed?

After the screening is completed, the third-country national is either subjected to an asylum procedure, a return procedure, or a relocation procedure to another member state of the European Union.

5. Who is subject to the accelerated asylum procedures at the border and what applies?

Fast-track asylum procedures at the border mainly target people from countries with low asylum recognition rates or people who attempt to mislead national authorities. These procedures are mandatory and must be completed within 12 weeks. During this period, the applicant is not considered to have entered the country formally, has no access to the labour market and is held in detention or severe confinement.

6. What is planned for those with a strong refugee profile?

Applicants with an increased chance of being granted international protection are subject to the regular asylum procedure, enter the country legally and have access to work, education and other protection guarantees.

7. What happens when an asylum application is rejected?

In the event of a rejection of an asylum application, a return decision is issued at the same time and the rejected person either departs voluntarily or is forcibly removed by the competent authorities.

8. What is Greece's main benefit from the new solidarity mechanism?

Greece is gaining institutionalized European support through relocations, funding, and operational assistance, so that it does not face increased migratory pressures alone.

9. What changes with Greece's obligations under the Dublin Regulation?

Through the agreement with key secondary flow countries, such as Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, pending return cases are deleted until the new Pact on Asylum and Migration enters into force. In this way, the country, as of June 13, will be relieved of the burden of old cases and will be shielded against future migratory pressures.

10. What is planned for return hubs outside the European Union?

Return hubs are organised structures outside the European Union to which third-country nationals whose asylum application has been rejected or for whom a return decision has been issued can be transferred. Their aim is to manage returns more effectively and prevent illegal stay in Europe. The relevant institutional framework is provided for by the new EU Return Regulation and complements the new Pact on Asylum and Migration.

Greece is participating, together with Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark, in a joint European initiative to create such centers. The aim of the five countries is to conclude the first agreements with third countries (Africa) within 2026, so that the new structures can become operational from 2027.

11. What is foreseen for safe countries of origin and the new Return Regulation?

Greece has already incorporated key provisions of the new European Return Regulation, aiming to accelerate return procedures for persons not entitled to international protection. At the same time, the implementation of the concept of safe countries of origin, which, among others, include Egypt, Pakistan and Bangladesh, is maintained and strengthened.

For nationals of these countries, asylum applications are examined through faster procedures, as it is presumed that there is no generalised risk of persecution or serious harm in these countries. In case of rejection of the application, return procedures are immediately activated in accordance with the new European framework.