Kyllini
Oinofyta
Thermopyles
Pyrgos
Attiko Alsos
Polykastro
Serres
Katsikas
Kavala
Filippiada
Alexandreia
Vagiochori
Sintiki
Lagkadikia
Drama
Veroia
Agai Eleni
398
404
304
192
100
1,656
1,514
1,288
1,089
546
730
720
733
572
556
452
481
280
231
150
63
74
778
612
655
619
392
461
350
499
370
388
272
222
Grand total
36,404
(actual closer to 33,423)
19,651
Source: National Coordination Centre for border Control, National Situational Picture regarding the Islands at Eastern
Aegean Sea (31/12/2025), 1 January 2026, available at: https://migration.gov.gr/en/statistika/; and RSA, Reception
& refugee camps in Greece in the first half of 2025, 11 September 2025, available at: https://tinyurl.com/yp6ar5fu.
Data on the mainland concern actual (as opposed to nominal) capacity.
1.1.
Temporary accommodation centres
In 2016, in order to address the needs of persons remaining in Greece after the imposition of border
restrictions along the so-called Western Balkan route, a number of temporary camps were created on the
mainland in order to increase accommodation capacity. Article 10 of L. 4375/2016979 provided a legal
basis for the establishment of different accommodation facilities.
In addition to Reception and Identification Centres,980 the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Internal
Affairs may, by joint decision, establish open Temporary Reception Facilities for Asylum Applicants (Δομές
Προσωρινής Υποδοχής Αιτούντων Διεθνή Προστασία),981 as well as open Temporary Accommodation
Facilities (Δομές Προσωρινής Φιλοξενίας) for persons subject to return procedures or whose return has
been suspended.982
Lastly, and amongst others, as per the amendments brought forth by L. 4686/2020, the Ministers of
Finance, of Citizen Protection and of Migration & Asylum can decide on the establishment of Closed
Temporary Reception Centres and Closed-Controlled Island Centres for asylum applicants subject to a
detention order, for asylum applicants or persons subject to a return procedure or whose removal has
been suspended, provided that restrictive conditions have been imposed on them. 983 As per the same
amendment, Reception and Identification Centres (RICs), Closed Temporary Reception Structures, PreRemoval Detention Centres (PRDCs), as well as separate areas with appropriate specifications for the
accommodation of third country nationals or stateless persons belonging to vulnerable groups can operate
within the aforementioned Closed Temporary Reception Centres and Closed-Controlled Island Centres.
979
980
981
982
983
As in force after replacement with Article 29 of L. 4825/2021 regarding reform of deportation and returns
procedures, attraction of investors and digital nomads, issues of residence permits and of procedures for
granting international protection, provisions of the competence of the MoMA and of the Ministry of Citizen
Protection and other urgent provisions.
Article 10(1)-(2) L 4375/2016. The article has not been abolished by the IPA and remains the same.
Article 10(4) L 4375/2016. The article has not been abolished by the IPA and remains the same.
Article 10(5) L 4375/2016. The article has not been abolished by the IPA and remains the same.
Article 30 (4) and (5) L. 4686/2020 amending Articles 8 and 10 of L. 4375/2016 respectively.
206