Creating an organization in Greece, which refugees reaching our country can appeal to for proper information and guidance, as well as the necessary support in order to stand on their own two feet again, was considered important by a socially sensitive group of our citizens, who also collaborated accordingly with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the creation of the “Greek Council for Refugees”. Mr. Andonis Drosopoulos, Ms. Hari Brisimi, Mrs. Aliki Marangopoulou and Mr. Euthimios Staforopoulos were a major part of this movement and the ensuing developments.
The organization, also known simply as “GCR”, began operating in January 1989, and the first Board of Directors consisted of: Hari Brisimi (President), Euthimios Staforopoulos (Vice president), Mitsa Souriadaki (Secretary), Christos Andrianopoulos (Treasurer), Maro Tzavella (Member), Alexandros Feraldis (Member), Arietta Roufou (Member).
A refugee is a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his/her nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, unwilling to avail him/herself of the protection of that country.
Anywhere in Greece, in person and at the Authorities that accept and examine asylum applications. There is no time limit. The proper Authorities for asylum applications are the police, and specifically the Aliens Departments in Athens and Thessaloniki, the Security Departments in International Airports and the Security Divisions and Departments in Police Stations.
You cannot leave the country until the asylum procedure has been completed
The examination of the asylum application procedure includes a personal interview conducted by a specially trained police man, with the help of an interpreter and with the presence of a lawyer if the asylum seeker wants one.
The Ministry of health and Social Solidarity is responsible for the housing of asylum seekers in Greece.
Asylum seekers have the right to housing following an application with Reception Centers according to their capabilities and the available free spots at any time.
I loose the right to housing in any other Reception Center
An adult can be housed for up to six months, but according to how vulnerable each case is, the stay can be prolonged for up to a year. In certain centers the stay lasts a year, while in others a minor is housed until he/she turns 18.
An asylum seeker can work legally in Greece as long as he/she obtains a work permit from the local Prefecture.
One can take Greek language classes at NGOs that offer Greek language classes like the GCR Pixida, as well as other institutions, such as the Athens University Philosophy School and the IDEKE adult education centers.
Ελληνικά
English