Forced Returns
Forced returns (executed expulsions) entail the physical removal of the irregular migrant
despite his consent. A migrant who is forcibly returned is registered in the list of unwanted third
country nationals.118
In cases where a migrant refuses to board the means of transport, his removal takes place with
police escort. Interestingly enough, the safeguards foreseen by the Greek law 119 in such cases
concern only “the safe transfer, stay and return” of the police escorts and not of the migrant.
Table 20. Apprehensions- Executed Expulsions 2008-2013
Year
Apprehensions
Expulsions
2008
146,337
20,555
2009
126,145
20,342
2010
132,524
17,340
2011
99,368
8,741
2012
76,878
6,798
2013
43,002
8,780
TOTAL
624,254
82,556
According to law 3386/2005120, the cost of forced return is borne by the migrant. If the migrant
does not possess the necessary resources, then the sum spent is considered a public
expenditure. In the period 2008-2013, there was a sharp decrease in forced expulsions,
particularly from 2011 onwards, attributable largely to the entry into force of the visaliberalization regime for Albanian nationals.
Voluntary Returns/Assisted Voluntary Returns
Greek Law does not specify in great detail the procedure in place for migrants who opt for
voluntary return. In practice, anyone who wishes to return may apply to do so at any time.
Applications for voluntary returns are in general addressed to the IOM and the Police, while
assisted voluntary return is carried out by IOM. The procedure followed is as follows:
118
Articles 76-83 Law 3386/2005 which has remained in force under the new Migration Code, Law N. 4251/2014
Article 139 par. 2
119
120
Ibid.
Ibid.
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