The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum has announced the revocation of 1,203 international protection statuses held by Syrian nationals following a review process carried out over a 40-day period.
According to the ministry, the decisions were taken between 1 March and 9 April by the relevant department responsible for asylum status reviews, in accordance with the applicable legal framework.
The move comes as part of broader policy measures linked to migration management and returns, with officials also highlighting progress in voluntary return program.
Voluntary Returns Under EU Program
The ministry stated that measurable results have been recorded in assisted voluntary returns to Syria, which it says reflect the effectiveness of current policy and Greece’s active role at European level.
Under a program titled “Implementation of Assisted Voluntary Returns and Reintegration Measures,” co-funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Greece has recorded the highest number of voluntary returns to Syria among EU member states.
Greece Leads EU Returns to Syria
From October 2025 to date, Greece accounted for 89 voluntary returns to Syria, representing around half of all such returns across the European Union. In total, 178 voluntary returns were recorded within the EU during the same period.
The figures include 24 returns from Germany and the same number from Finland, while Belgium recorded six.
Authorities noted that although the overall number of returns across the EU remains relatively low, the voluntary return program is still in its early stages of implementation, with expectations that participation may increase in the future.
