Rights of Applicants for International Protection

As an applicant for international protection in Greece you have the following rights:

• The right to be issued an international protection applicant card free of charge, which allows you to move legally and freely within Greece, unless a geographical restriction appears on it, i.e., a specific part of the country in which you are allowed to move.
• The right to remain in Greece until the examination of your application is completed; you will not be deported before the examination of your application is completed.
• The right to receive information in a language you understand about the progress of your application, the deadlines at the different stages of your application, the asylum decision, and your right of appeal.
• The right to have free interpretation at all stages of the application procedure both at the first and the second instance and, in particular, during the interview.
• The right to voluntary return to your country of origin.
• The right to contact the UNHCR or an organisation providing legal, medical, and psychological support.
• The right to financial assistance, if you are not working and your financial resources are not sufficient to cover your daily needs.
• The right to housing in a Temporary Accommodation Facility or other accommodation (accommodation programmes in private dwellings or hotels).
• The right to work and have insurance under the provisions set by the Greek legislation, after sixty (60) days from the date of lodging the application for international protection, and if you have an International Protection Applicant Card.
• The right to be issued a Tax Identification Number (AFM).
• The right of access to medical and hospital care by being issued a Temporary Insurance and Healthcare Number for Foreigners (PAAYPA).
• The right of access to free public education for minor applicants.
• The right of access to secondary education for adult applicants.

 Obligations of Applicants for International Protection

As an applicant for international protection in Greece you have the following obligations:

• The obligation to always carry your card with you. The international protection applicant card is a temporary document that gives you specific rights and is not equivalent to a residence permit.
• The obligation to renew your card in good time before it expires, and on the working day following its expiry date at the latest.
• The obligation to remain in Greece until your application has been fully You can not travel outside Greece – except in special circumstances when serious humanitarian reasons arise which dictate your presence in another country, such as proven serious health reasons. In order to obtain a special travel document, you should make an application to the Asylum Service.
• The obligation to cooperate with the Greek authorities in order to provide information on any matter relating to your application and to verify your identity.
• The obligation to appear before the Asylum Service for your scheduled interview.
• The obligation to appear before the competent Authorities in person, without delay, whenever summoned.
• The obligation to hand over your passport or other travel document and submit any other document in your possession which is relevant to the examination of your application, as well as evidence certifying your identity.
• The obligation to inform the Asylum Service immediately of your home address and contact details, and of any changes thereof. You can also submit an online request to change contact details. The Asylum Service will contact you at the most recently provided details (telephone, email, home address) for matters related to your application and to send you decisions, summons, or other documents.
• The obligation to appear before the Asylum Service for the registration of your children born in Greece after the registration of your application, presenting their birth certificate.
• The obligation to respect the deadlines notified to you by the competent authorities at the various stages of the examination procedure of your application.
• The obligation to not conceal your true financial situation in case you receive benefits.
• The obligation to follow the internal regulation if you are staying in a Reception and Identification Centre, a Closed Controlled Access Centre, a Temporary Accommodation Facility or any other dwelling and not leave the premises without informing the competent authorities.
• For every second or later subsequent application, you must deposit a fee of one hundred Euro (€100) with your application, which is issued through the electronic payment procedure (e-Paravolo). For families, an equal amount must be paid for each member of the family.

Failure to comply with the obligation to cooperate with the competent authorities as defined above, and failure to communicate with the authorities and to cooperate in determining the elements necessary for the examination of the application, thereby preventing the smooth completion of the examination procedure of the application for international protection, shall result in the discontinuation or rejection of the application.

In addition, a breach of the above obligations will result in the termination or limitation of material benefits you are receiving (e.g., allowances, accommodation, etc.).