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.

Authorities have reported a significant increase in migrant arrivals off the southern coast of Crete, with triple-digit detections occurring daily.

Greece has joined 16 other European nations in calling for a revision of EU laws to facilitate the return of irregular migrants.