Only lawyers registered in a dedicated professional register will now be permitted to provide free legal guidance to asylum seekers during the first stage of the administrative process. An additional payment of €250 will also be available where, following the information session, an applicant chooses voluntary departure and their return is successfully completed.

The role and funding of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the field of migration were the focus of a recent meeting between the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, and the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Makis Voridis, raising serious questions of transparency.

Thirty three members of four NGOs arrested in a migrant trafficking ring are accused of a series of illegal activities, and will possibly also faces charges of espionage.