Refugee, Asylum Greece massively cuts social benefits for people entitled to asylum
The Greek government wants to massively cut social benefits for recognized refugees. According to the Ministry of Migration, total funding for asylum benefits is to be reduced by almost 30 percent - from 400 million to 288 million euros per year.
07.10.2025, 09:48
SDA
The reform focuses on the Helios accommodation program, which included rent subsidies for refugees. These benefits will be discontinued completely. The funds freed up will instead be used for work integration and Greek language learning programs.
"Those who receive asylum in future will no longer live with permanent subsidies, but will be integrated into society through work," said Migration Minister Thanos Plevris. In future, support payments would only cover the "absolute necessities", he added, without giving details.
Course of deterrence and cost-cutting
The sole ruling conservative government under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasizes that the measures are in line with European guidelines. Greece is to become less attractive as a destination country for migration; at the same time, government spending is to be reduced.
Stricter rules already apply to those whose asylum application has been rejected: Anyone staying in Greece illegally and not leaving voluntarily will face at least three years in prison in future.
A suspension or commutation of the prison sentence is only possible if the person concerned agrees to return voluntarily. "In future, those affected will only have two options: Imprisonment or return," according to the Ministry of Migration.
