Following a controversial press briefing on the Government’s operational plan for responding to the increased arrival of asylum seekers , on 20 November 2019,994 it was announced that the island RICs would be transformed into Closed Reception and Identification Centres that would simultaneously function as Pre-Removal Detention Centres and which would have a capacity of at least 18,000 places. The announcements inter alia raised serious concerns and were condemned by a wide array of actors, including members of the European Parliament – who addressed an open letter to the Justice and Home Affairs Council – the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights,995 as well as GCR and other civil society actors,996 and local communities in Greece, who have on several occasions continued to display their opposition to the creation of new centres on the islands and the containment of asylum applicants there.997 Throughout 2025, people residing in the CCACs continued to be subjected to a “geographical restriction”, based on which they are under an obligation not to leave the island and to reside in the RIC facility (see Freedom of Movement). They also remain subject to strict entry-exit measures, such as having to undergo security controls (metal detectors and/or physical controls), and to being under an obligation to comply with permitted hours of exit and (re)entry, and with an obligation to stay in the CCAC during the night. Non-compliance with these obligations can inter alia lead to the reduction and/or withdrawal of material reception conditions in accordance with Article 61 Asylum Code. 998 As of 31 December 2025, and regarding the number of persons remaining on the Eastern Aegean Islands, see Types of accommodation. 2. Conditions in reception facilities Indicators: Conditions in Reception Facilities 1. Are there instances of asylum applicants not having access to reception accommodation because of a shortage of places? Yes No 2. What is the average length of stay of asylum applicants in the reception centres? Varies 3. Are unaccompanied children ever accommodated with adults in practice? Yes No 4. Are single women and men accommodated separately? Yes No Depends/subject to availability of space/capacity Article 59(1) of the Asylum Code provides that material reception conditions must provide asylum applicants with an adequate standard of living that guarantees their subsistence and protects their physical and mental health, based on respect for human dignity. 994 995 996 997 998 Greek Government, Political Press Briefing – the Government’s Operational Plan for dealing with the migrant issue, 20 November 2019, available in Greek at: https://bit.ly/2RO2Kml. Council of Europe, Commissioner seeks information from the Greek government on its plans to set-up closed reception centres on the Aegean islands, 3 December 2019, available at: https://bit.ly/38X2GX4. For instance, see GCR, The Greek Authorities announcements on the refugee issue are in contrast to national and international law, 21 November 2019, available in Greek at: https://bit.ly/489ITCn; The Guardian, Aid groups condemn Greece over 'prison' camps for migrants, 25 November 2019, available at: https://bit.ly/2S4YXzW. For instance, Coordinating Committee of the Elected Officials - Residents Of Chios, We will not allow the islands to become prisons for souls, 902.gr, 5 July 2023, available in Greek at: https://tinyurl.com/yzts4rwe; Ethnos, Lesvos: Residents' reactions to the new migrant structure, 8 February 2022, available in Greek at: https://bit.ly/3xS67jw; Ekathimerini, More protests against new island centres on the way, 10 January 2020, available at: https://bit.ly/31fwkEp; Efsyn, The papers say one thing and N. Mitarakis says another, 26 April 2021, available in Greek at: https://bit.ly/3t2kiuc and GCR, SCI, Greece, Advocacy update: March-April 2021, available at: https://bit.ly/2SNIsw2, pp. 4-5. Articles 6 and 9 of Decision 553695/2023 of the General Secretary for Reception of Asylum Seeker of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum regarding the General Regulation for the Operation of Closed Controlled Facilities, 31 December 2023. As per Article 9 of the same decision, the allowed hours of exit and (re)entry, which in practice largely mirror those imposed under previous measures aimed at combating spread of the coronavirus, are specified by a Decision of the Director of the RIS. Yet up to the time of writing it hasn’t been possible to find said Decision. 208