Save/Download the page’s content as a PDF file even if you do not have access to Wi-Fi or the Internet – here.
If you are passing through reception and identification procedures (Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Leros, Evros)
1- For public health purposes, when you enter Greece and you arrive in a Reception and Identification facility you will be tested for COVID-19 and if tested positive, you will stay in quarantine for some days, as per the instructions of the Greek Health authorities.
2- During quarantine, you must comply with the COVID-19 prevention measures:
keep distance from others;
wash your hands regularly;
and wear a mask
3- During quarantine, you have the right to ask to see a doctor; ask to speak with the medical staff of the facility immediately to inform:
If you have a medical or psychological condition
If you need medication
If you survived sexual violence within the last 72 hours
If you have fever, or cough or difficulty breathing
If you are a child (under 18), alone without your parents
If you are pregnant
If you need any basic items such as hygiene or blankets, please inform the staff of the Reception and Identification Service.
In case of emergency or if you do not feel safe, please inform the Police and the Reception and Identification Service.
4- You have the right to seek asylum if you do not wish to return to your country because of fear for your life and safety for reasons of race, religion, political beliefs, nationality, or membership in a particular social group or because of war or violence, or because you are afraid of being discriminated or seriously harmed.
If you want to apply for asylum, inform the Greek authorities during your registration that you seek asylum in Greece.
The authorities will register your asylum claim immediately, asking for the reasons you left your country and why you left Turkey and will give you an appointment for your asylum interview within some days. The asylum process is free of charge and confidential.
5- After your registration you will be staying in the Reception and Identification Center (RIC), which in some locations is part of a Closed Controlled Access Center (CCAC) .
Entry and exit from the facility is controlled by the Greek authorities.
6- You have the right to legal information regarding interview preparation free of charge
You also have the right to consult a lawyer at all stages of the procedure, normally at your own cost There may be organisations able to assist free of charge, but this depends on the location: please approach the local UNHCR office for information about options available in your location (for options on how to contact UNHCR, please type and send 10)
You can apply for free legal assistance for support at the appeal stage (after first rejection) through this link:
https://applications.migration.gov.gr/apps/type-7-applications/create?locale=en
If you have not passed through reception and identification procedures
In case that you have not passed through reception and identification procedures, you will be able to schedule an appointment for registration of your asylum application via an online platform in this link
The platform is available in English, Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Urdu, Pashto, Turkish, Bengali, Albanian, Greek and Kurmanji.
The registration appointments started from 1st September 2022 at the registration centres on the mainland in Malakasa in the Attika region and Diavata in the north of Greece, close to Thessaloniki. You can choose between the two depending on your location.
Please note that to submit an application for appointment you will need to declare a contact email address. When you finalize your application, you will be assigned an appointment (Day & Time) for your attendance at the registration point you choose, and you will be able to receive a relevant proof to the email you registered. The appointment for registration of your asylum claim is common to all family members of the application. You can include up to 8 family members in your request, filling in the number of adults and the number of minors separately.
In the event that it is not possible for you to go to the registration point after a scheduled appointment, you have the possibility to reschedule it 2 more times, without the possibility of further extension.
The registration process in the two centres will last from 1 to 25 days and for this period your stay in the structure may be required. During your stay interpreters will be available to support you throughout the registration process. Food will be provided three times a day. For more information about the services provided in the two centres you can check the website of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum here (GR and EN only) https://migration.gov.gr/en/ris/perifereiakes-monades/domes/kyt-malakasa/
General Information about Greece
Greece’s climate is Mediterranean with long sunshine, mild temperatures and limited rainfalls. It is characterised by great variation, due to the country’s geographic location and the distribution between the mainland and the sea.
In the summer, dry hot days are often cooled by seasonal winds while mountainous areas are more cool.
Winters are mild in the plains with little ice and snow, but the mountains are usually covered with snow.
Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency: the Euro.
Banks and Public Services usually operate from 08:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday. The shops are usually open Monday-Wednesday-Saturday from 09:00 to 15.00 and Tuesday-Thursday-Friday from 09:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00.