A decrease of 76% in the number of residents is recorded in October 2021, compared to October 2020. The largest decrease is recorded in those living in Samos 92%, followed by Chios with 91%, Leros with 88%, Lesvos with 65%, and Kos with 54%.
The total number of residents in the country in October 2021 is also reduced by 47% compared to October 2020.
According to October’s newsletter, arrival flows in the first ten months of 2021 are reduced by 67% on the islands and by 46% in total, compared to the first ten months of 2020.
After systematic efforts, in the first ten months of 2021, 9,794 people left for Europe or third countries through the mechanisms of expulsion, return and relocation of third-country nationals, while 7,242 people arrived in our country, with the balance of departures / arrivals remaining positive.
In October 2020, a total of 71,247 asylum seekers resided in all the structures managed or supervised by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, while now, in October 2021, the number is 37,951.
The pending cases of the Asylum Service and the Appeals Authority (in A and B grade) record a decrease of 52%. The pending applications in A and B grade reach a total of 41,951, when in October 2020 were 87,922.
Mobility in Legal Migration
Regarding mobility in legal migration and especially Golden Visa, the main country of origin of investors in our country are Chinese nationals, at a rate of 67.8%, followed by Turkish nationals (64%) and Russia (6%).
For the period, October 2020 - October 2021, have been submitted 2,030 applications for the initial residence permit and 343 applications for the renewal of the residence.
Regarding the applications concerning general employment, for the period October 2020 - October 2021, have been submitted 2,128 applications for initial residence permit and 22,613 applications for renewal.
The Minister of Migration and Asylum Mr. Notis Mitarachi stated:
In October 2021 our country recorded a decrease of 76% in residents and 47% in its entire territory, while we see that despite the fact that the pandemic crisis continues, there is mobility in the field of legal migration. The country’s picture of 2019 has nothing to do with the current one. We are effectively protecting our borders, flows are reduced by 90% while at the same period they increase in other Mediterranean countries. Greece will continue to follow the same strict but fair migration policy that brings results. We have a clear position against smuggling, but in favor of legal migration.
