For many refugees who have spent years rebuilding their lives in Greece, a new government policy has created uncertainty about their future. Greek authorities have begun reopening asylum cases involving Syrians and Afghans, raising concerns among migrants who fear they could lose their legal protection and face pressure to return to countries they no longer consider safe.
One of those affected is Bashir, a Syrian refugee who arrived in Greece in 2014 during the height of the Syrian civil war. After years of working in agriculture and learning new skills, he established himself as an independent metalworker. He married another Syrian refugee, and the couple recently welcomed their first child.
Despite building a stable life in Greece, Bashir received an official notice earlier this year asking him to explain again why he should continue receiving protection and why he should not return to Syria.
Bashir was granted asylum in 2015 because of the conflict in Syria. However, after the collapse of the civil war in late 2024, Greek authorities reopened his case along with approximately 1,200 other Syrian asylum cases in February.
The move has created anxiety among many refugees who have spent years integrating into Greek society. Bashir says he struggles to understand why his protection status is being reconsidered after more than a decade of living legally in the country.
Lawyers representing affected refugees say the reviews are not limited to Syrians. Authorities have also reopened cases involving Afghan nationals, following the end of major armed conflict in Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Human rights advocates argue that while large-scale conflicts may have changed, both Syria and Afghanistan continue to face serious security, political, and human rights challenges that could put returnees at risk.
Many refugees fear that returning would expose them to persecution, instability, or discrimination. Others say they have spent so many years abroad that they no longer have meaningful connections to their countries of origin.
Another Syrian resident, Jihad, who has lived legally in Greece since 2001 and operates a small clothing business, worries that his political views could make him a target if he returns to Syria. He believes his past public support for the former Syrian government could lead to detention or other forms of punishment.
The asylum reviews form part of a broader shift in Greek migration policy under Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, who announced earlier this year that authorities would examine asylum cases that may qualify for revocation.
Government figures show that Greece revoked nearly 200 asylum statuses last year, a sharp increase compared with the previous decade. Additional cases are currently under review.
At the same time, Greece has introduced some of the toughest migration measures in Europe. In 2025, lawmakers approved stricter return policies that allow authorities to impose fines, electronic monitoring, and detention on individuals who refuse deportation orders.
The government has also tightened regulations affecting humanitarian organizations that assist migrants and asylum seekers. New legislation allows authorities to remove aid organizations from official registries if staff members face accusations related to migrant smuggling activities.
The policy changes come as the European Union prepares to implement its new Asylum and Migration Pact, a major reform package designed to strengthen border management and improve the return of rejected asylum seekers.
Migration experts say European governments are increasingly focused on boosting deportation and return rates, which have historically remained low across the bloc. Many policymakers view effective returns as a crucial part of maintaining public support for asylum systems.
As one of Europe’s main entry points for migrants and refugees, Greece has long faced pressure to manage migration flows. The country currently hosts nearly one million legally resident migrants and more than 137,000 people with asylum or international protection status.
Greek authorities are also concerned about the possibility of future migration surges from unstable regions across the Middle East and North Africa. During the 2015 refugee crisis, more than one million asylum seekers crossed into Greece, placing enormous pressure on public services and reception systems.
Supporters of the government’s approach argue that asylum status should be reviewed when conditions in a refugee’s home country significantly improve. Critics, however, warn that reopening cases involving long-term residents risks undermining integration efforts and creating fear among communities that have already established roots in Greece.
As the European Union enters a new era of migration management, the experiences of refugees like Bashir and Jihad highlight the difficult balance between migration control, international protection obligations, and the human realities faced by people who have spent years building new lives far from home.