The European Commission has again listed Greece under migratory pressure for 2027, citing Crete arrivals up 105 per cent even as overall illegal crossings fell.
On Friday in Brussels the Commission opened its second Annual Migration Management Cycle. It named Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Spain under migratory pressure, so they can tap the Solidarity Pool once the Council sets 2027 contributions.
The review covers 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Weighed against population and GDP, Greece posts the EU’s highest illegal crossings and asylum applications.
Migration Commissioner Brunner said Greece “is doing a very good job.” He added that Athens was using the new border procedures well and raising returns.
Read more: Plevris: First Agreement on African Return Hub Expected After Christmas
Why migratory pressure persists
According to the European Annual Asylum and Migration Report, illegal border crossings into Greece fell by 23 per cent. Arrivals in Crete rose by 105 per cent to about 21,000 people — almost half of Greece’s total.
Greek City Times has tracked the Crete route, including a day when nearly 600 migrants reached Crete and Aegean islets. Crossings on the land border from Turkey climbed by 33 per cent. Eastern Mediterranean arrivals overall declined.
A European official said Greece still faces a heavier load than other Member States. That relative burden, and the migratory pressure finding, keep Athens in line for European solidarity for a second year.
Pact progress in Athens
Commission officials praised Greece’s early work under the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Athens answers take-charge and take-back requests from other capitals. The first asylum applicants have moved to Greek territory under the new responsibility rules.
Greece has bilateral deals with Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium on secondary movements. Those movements fell by 22 per cent across the EU in 2025, officials said, with no separate Greek figure given.
Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris separately warned of a possible Crete crisis after Libya stopped cooperating following approval of the illegal Turkey–Libya maritime memorandum. He said 1,700 people arrived in the first three days of November. The Athanoi site would start taking people the following week, he said.
Negotiators still have to settle the 2027 Solidarity Pool shape. The Council must set contributions by year end, and the Commission’s detailed proposal stays restricted. Until then, the migratory pressure listing stands.
Source: Kathimerini
