The migration ministry has submitted to Parliament legislation implementing the European Union’s new Migration Pact, less than a month before the framework takes effect on July 1.
According to a report accompanying the bill, the new system is expected to cost an additional €721.4 million between now and 2028, funded through European and national resources, although the exact breakdown has not been determined.
The legislation requires Greece initially to process all migrants arriving at its borders, including refugees and people not eligible for asylum. The projected budget reflects the scale of the challenge. The report estimates €60 million for asylum reception facilities at border areas and €120 million for facilities in the mainland. Another €122.8 million is allocated for food, heating and reception conditions at the borders, and €67 million for the mainland.
The bill also allocates €21.5 million for Greek police personnel responsible for separating refugees from migrants at border entry points. Despite earlier announcements about reducing benefits, the legislation includes a total of €14 million for daily expense allowances to address asylum seekers.
Under the proposed system, migrants without a refugee profile, defined as people not from countries at war, would have asylum applications examined within 12 weeks. Those denied international protection would be transferred to closed or controlled facilities at the borders pending return procedures.
