Greece moves to toughen penalties against illegal migrant smuggling

Saturday 24 January 2026 - 13:00

By: Sahili Aya

Greece moves to toughen penalties against illegal migrant smuggling

The Greek Ministry of Migration has submitted a new draft law to Parliament aimed at significantly strengthening penalties against illegal migrant smuggling. The proposed legislation includes life imprisonment for convicted smugglers and the immediate deportation of migrants found guilty of criminal offenses.

According to the ministry, the reform seeks to reinforce deterrence at all levels of irregular migration networks. The bill also introduces harsher sanctions for individuals or organizations accused of assisting migrants in an irregular situation, including members of non-governmental organizations.

The announcement has sparked strong criticism from civil society. In a joint statement, 56 NGOs, including the Greek branches of Doctors of the World and Doctors Without Borders, called for the immediate withdrawal of several provisions. They warn that the law would allow minor offenses to be reclassified as serious crimes, carrying prison sentences of up to ten years and heavy financial penalties.

NGOs also denounce the expanded authority granted to the ministry, which could suspend or deregister organizations based solely on ongoing legal proceedings against one of their members, even without a conviction.

While tightening controls on irregular migration, the Greek government says the law also aims to promote legal migration, particularly by easing recruitment procedures for foreign workers, introducing a new visa for high-tech professionals, and improving labor market integration for asylum seekers and refugees in sectors facing labor shortages.