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R.I.C & C.C.A.C.

Reception and Identification Centers (RIC)

Third-country and stateless individuals who enter the country illegally are placed in Reception and Identification Centers (R.I.C.) where they temporarily reside until they undergo procedures of reception and identification and to submit application for international protection (asylum).

Third-country and stateless individuals who live in R.I.C. are in a regime of restriction of their freedom within the Centers for a maximum period of twenty-five (25) days. They are also subject to a geographical restriction under the EU-Turkey Joint Statement.

In R.I.C. there are conditions in place to ensure that residents are protected physically, legally and emotionally.

Consisting of five (5) Administrative:

  • Units
  • of Nationality Identification and Verification
  • Medical Screening and Psychosocial Support Unit
  • Information Provision Unit
  • External Security and Safety Unit

When the procedures of reception and identification are complete, third-country entrants are transported from R.I.C. to Facilities in the mainland. Afterwards, they are referred to Regional Asylum Offices-if they have expressed interest to submit an application for international protection, or their deportation/return is initiated.

RIC & CCAC

RIC & CAFTAAS Diavata
CCAC Kos

CCAC Kos

CCAC Leros

CCAC Leros

RIC & CAFTAAS Malakasa
CCAC Lesvos

CCAC Lesvos

CCAC Samos

CCAC Samos

RIC Fylakio

RIC Fylakio

CCAC Chios

CCAC Chios

Controlled Facility of West Lesvos

Closed Controlled Access Centers (C.C.A.C.)

The Closed Controlled Access Centers of Islands (C.C.A.C.) were created with the aim of providing protection and safe accommodation to third-country nationals that enter Greece without the legal requirements. They are regional operation units of the Reception and Identification Service. C.C.A.C. may also include a Reception and Identification Center, a temporary accommodation facility, as well as special accommodation facilities with all the necessary provisions for vulnerable individuals. Unaccompanied minors are hosted in separate areas that operate as “safe zones.” There are also provisions for the operation of Pre-removal Detention Centers within separate areas of C.C.A.C. which are directed by the Greek Police.

C.C.A.C. are supported by the Special Units of the Reception and Identification Centers that operate within them, and include: a) an Administrative Unit, b) an Identification and Verification of Nationality Unit, c) a Medical Screening and Psychosocial Support Unit, d) an Information Provision Unit, and e) an External Security and Safety Unit.

The Governor of the Reception and Identification Center oversees all the Special Units and directs the C.C.A.C.

C.C.A.C. offer accommodation and material support to third-country nations who: a) express their will to submit an application for international protection within the territory of Greece, b) family members of international protection applicants, if they are covered in the context of this application according to Greek law c) minors (including unaccompanied minors), as well as separated minors, irrespective of whether they have submitted an international protection application d) individuals who are participants in voluntary return programs e) individuals who are in the process of return and whose deportation has been postponed f) beneficiaries of international protection for the time period they are permitted to stay in C.C.A.C. (according to paragraph 1 of article 114 of law 4636/2019 and the regulations of operation of the Reception and identification Centers).

Third-country nationals undergo reception and identification procedures in the Reception and Identification Center within the C.C.A.C. When the above procedures are complete and during their stay in the C.C.A.C., they have the right of freedom of movement (according to article 45 of law 4636/2019, taking into account article 46 of law 4636/2019); they may freely move in specified areas to enable the smooth operation of C.C.A.C.

Residents have the right to enter and exit C.C.A.C. and according to the schedule of operation of C.C.A.C. which is set by the Governor of RIS.

Electronic cards are used to enter and exit the C.C.A.C. Residents are required to follow the schedule of operation when they exit the facilities and are not allowed to spend the night outside the facilities. If a resident is not found within the facilities during regular audits and according to the schedule of operation, for two times consecutively, their material and accommodation benefits may be ceased, according to article 57 of law 4636/2019.

(Government Gazette 2219 / issue B '/ 10-06-2019)

(General Regulations for the Operation of Reception and Identification Centers and Mobile Reception and Identification Units.)

The subject of this General Regulation is the regulation of the internal structure and operation of the Reception and Identification Centers and the Mobile Reception and Identification Units. In particular, the reception and identification procedures, the rights and obligations of third-country nationals and stateless persons subject to these procedures, as well as the general rules of temporary residence at the facilities of the Reception and Identification Centers are described in detail.

(Government Gazette 51 / issue A '/ 03-04-2016)

Organization and operation of the Asylum Service, Appeals Authority, Reception and Identification Service, establishment of the General Secretariat for Reception, adaptation of the Greek Legislation to the provisions of Directive 2013/32 / EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on international protection regime (reprint) ”(L 180 / 29.6.2013), provisions for the employment of beneficiaries of international protection and other provisions.

  1. By joint decision of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, Reception and Identification Centers are established in border areas of Greece in which this is deemed necessary, taking into account the number of entrants without legal formalities. In the Reception and Identification Centers, there may be a Regional Asylum Office or an Independent unit or a Mobile division of the Asylum Service.
  2. By joint decision of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction, Reception and Identification Centers are established in areas of the hinterland, for the needs of the reception and identification procedures.
  3. By decision of the Director of the Service, Mobile Reception and Identification Units may be established in places of the State, where it is deemed necessary to provide reception and identification services, especially in case of entry of a large number of persons without legal formalities, whose referral to the Center it is not immediately feasible or appropriate.

Reinforcement of human resources in the First Reception Centers

(100% funded by the Emergency Assistance Fund of the Internal Security Fund, EMAS ISF)

Title: “Reinforcement of human resources in First Reception Centers ", as the beneficiary, through the signed Grant Agreement with the European Commission.

The Project was funded by the Emergency Assistance Fund of the Internal Security Fund - Borders 100% and its duration was eleven (11) months with a start date of April 1, 2016, while it was completed on February 28, 2017, according to the amendment that took place in terms of the time horizon of the eligibility period.

The Program aimed at covering the staffing costs of the First Reception Centers located in the Greek territory in order to strengthen the reception capacity of the country for the effective management of the PCs. entering it illegally.

In general, the Program proved necessary for the First Reception Centers to become fully operational, significantly increasing the number of specialized personnel related to the Reception and Asylum procedures and which also participated in other important processes taking place within the Reception Centers.

Summing up, regarding the impact on the target group, the implementation of the Program ensured the existence of a protected and safe environment in the context of providing reception services to the residents of the First Reception Centers.

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