Migrant arrivals at Greece’s sea borders have fallen by 34% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Vassilis Kikilias.
In a post on X, Kikilias said Greece recorded 15,389 migrant arrivals between January and June 2026, down from 23,243 arrivals during the corresponding period in 2025.
The largest decline was recorded along the eastern Aegean route from Turkey, where arrivals dropped by 59%. In contrast, migrant arrivals from Libya decreased by approximately 4%, highlighting the continued pressure on Greece’s southern maritime border, particularly around Crete and Gavdos.
Kikilias attributed the overall reduction to the Greek government’s migration strategy, enhanced border management and the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy in cooperation with the Hellenic Coast Guard.
“The strategy we are implementing is producing measurable results,” the minister said, praising coastguard personnel for their commitment to protecting Greece’s maritime borders.
He also acknowledged the coastguard’s humanitarian role, noting that officers carry out daily search and rescue missions in the Aegean and Mediterranean, saving lives while enforcing the country’s border security.
Greece remains one of the European Union’s main entry points for migrants and asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean. While arrivals from Turkey have fallen sharply this year, authorities continue to face challenges along the Libyan migration route, where smuggling networks remain active and rescue operations south of Crete have intensified in recent months.