GREECE: New Migration Law further criminalises solidarity

In February 2026, the Greek parliament adopted Law 5275/2026, amending the Migration Code, presented as a reform to streamline legal migration and implement new EU migration rules. The law introduces far-reaching measures and imposes disproportionate restrictions on civil society organisations (CSOs) human rights defenders (HRDs)working on migrants’ rights. Civil society has raised serious concerns that the law risks violating the freedoms of association, assembly, and expression.

Continuing a long-term trend of criminalising solidarity with migrants at the borders of Europe, the new Greek law introduces broad and ambiguous criminal provisions and imposes harsh criminal penalties on civic actors working in registered CSOs. Their work with migrants, such as facilitating entry, stay, shelter, or basic support, can now lead to up to 10 years of prison and heavy fines. The law also tightens control over migrants’ rights CSOs through stricter registration requirements. The law’s complex, costly, and intrusive (including personal data disclosure of members and staff) procedures and mandatory registration to access funding or operate create huge barriers, especially for smaller humanitarian organisations. Authorities can also remove organisations from the registry, limiting their ability to function.

These measures undermine migrants’ rights organisations and defenders’ role in providing aid, monitoring abuses, and ensuring accountability. Civil society and international human rights experts warn that the new law links humanitarian aid and solidarity with criminality and risks stigmatising civil society at large and creating a chilling effect on civic engagement.