Access to the international protection procedure is unrestricted and free of charge. Any third country citizen or stateless person has the right to apply for international protection.

The initial application is submitted in Reception and Identification Centers in the islands (Closed Controlled Access Centers in Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Rhodes, and Leros) and in Evros. You may also submit an initial application in the Reception and Identification Centers in Malakasa and Diavata.

The International Protection application is submitted in person. If you have not been registered, you can book an appointment in order to be registered in person in Reception and Identification Centers in Malakasa and Diavata, when they begin their operation:  press to access the electronic platform and book an appointment.

In case you have entered the country without going through the legal formalities or you are staying in Greece without meeting the legal requirements, you will be transferred to a Reception and Identification Centre, and in case you do not possess any document issued by an official authority that proves your identity and nationality, you will undergo reception and identification procedures. You are required to remain in the premises of the Center for the entire period your application is being examined which can not exceed twenty-five (25) days.

In certain cases (i.e. if you submit an application at the borders or in a transit zone of a port/airport of the country, if you deceive the authorities by providing false information, if you are detained, and in other cases listed in the law) your application’s examination will be prioritized.

In total, the examination of your application may last from twenty (20) days to six (6) months, depending on your personal case.

The Registration

Full registration of your application includes your identity details, your country of origin, your father’s name, your mother’s name, your spouse’s name, your children’s names, your e-mail address (if there is one), biometric identification data, a comprehensive list of the reasons why you are requesting international protection, your address of residence or stay, the language in which you wish to have your application examined and, if you wish, appointment of an authorized representative.

Submitting the Asylum Application

When submitting your application, there will be an interpreter available in order to assist you in a language that you understand, so that your communication with the staff members of the Asylum Service is facilitated.

When submitting your application, you must reply in full sincerity to all questions asked by the member of the staff of the Asylum Service. If you state any false information or claims, this will have a negative effect on the judgment upon your application.

If you are unaccompanied minor,i.e. you are under 18 years old and not accompanied by an adult who is responsible for your care, according to the Greek law, the authorities must immediately inform the competent Public Prosecutor for Minors. The Public Prosecutor will appoint a representative who will be responsible for you and will defend your interests. In case you are under fifteen (15) years old, your application for international protection must be submitted by the appointed representative. In case you are over 15 years old, you may submit your application yourself. The authority responsible for your protection is the General Secretariat for Unaccompanied Minors of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, which, in cooperation with the Authorities, will care for your protection and your accommodation in a facility suitable for minors.

When you submit your international protection application, you, as well as any members of your family that are above fourteen (14) years old, will be photographed and fingerprinted. The fingerprints will be entered into EURODAC, the European Central Database and, in case you have lodged another international protection application in another state of Europe which implements the “Dublin III” regulation, it is possible that you will be transferred there in order to have your application examined.

You will have to hand over your travel document (passport) or any other documents that you have in your possession and are relevant to the examination of your case and the verification of your identity and your family members, your country and place of origin, as well as your family situation.

You may be body searched and your personal belongings may be searched. You may undergo medical examinations.

The Asylum Service will determine a date for your interview, and you will receive your International protection applicants' cards which may be valid for up to one (1) year. You must carry this card with you at all times.

When you submit your application, you will receive a briefing, in a language that you understand, regarding the procedure, your rights and obligations while being an international protection applicant, as well as the deadlines that apply throughout the procedure.

In case you are a victim of torture, rape or any other serious act of violence, you must inform the authorities accordingly, so that they can provide assistance to you.

All information you provide within your application is confidential. All members of the Asylum Service staff have a duty of confidentiality and any information you provide to the Service throughout the examination of your application is not going to be disclosed to anybody that you indicate as the actor of persecution or serious harm.

You may request to contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or any Organization that provides legal, medical and psychological support.

Throughout the procedure you have the right to ask for the assistance of a lawyer or other counselor of your choice (without any mediation by the Asylum Service). In that case, you will have to authorize in writing (authentication of your signature required) so that he/she is able to accompany you during your interview or represent you before the Asylum Service. The fee and expenses of the lawyer or other counselor will be completely at your own cost.

In case you are vulnerable[1]  and your interview is scheduled within fifteen days after you submitted your application, the Asylum Service will provide you with sufficient time (which cannot exceed three days) in order to adequately prepare for your interview and be advised by a lawyer or other counselor so as to be assisted during the procedure.

You may ask for the interview and interpretation to be performed by a person of the gender of your preference. Your request will be assessed by the Asylum Service and will be satisfied if that is possible.

In case you are an unaccompanied minor, you will have to be informed by your appointed guardian regarding your interview.Your guardian will be invited and he/she may be with you during the interview. In case there is any doubt regarding your age, the authorities may conduct medical examinations in order to determine your age. Both you and your guardian must be informed regarding this procedure and you or your guardian must consent.

Those of you who express your wish to voluntarily return,will be referred for further information to the International Organization for Migration (I.O.M.)which will undertake your repatriation procedures. Let it be noted that the Hellenic Police (Aliens Division of Attica) is now also undertaking voluntary return procedures.

If your contact information changes at any stage of your application process, you must inform the Asylum Service.

[1] Minors, unaccompanied or not; direct relatives of victims of ship-wrecks; persons with a disability; the elderly; women in pregnancy; single parents with minor children; victims of human trafficking; persons suffering from a serious illness; persons with a mental or psychological disability and persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or any other serious form of mental, physical or sexual violence, like victims of genital mutilation.