How to Apply for Asylum?
Apply for asylum in Greece on the mainland
- Begin with Pre-Registration. To pre-register, remember the Asylum Service to get an appointment for Full Registration.
- Attend Full appointment. During the meeting, you will explain why you are seeking asylum.
- Also, attend asylum interview.
On the Greek islands
- You can express your wish to apply for asylum during the Identification Procedure.
- Next, the Asylum Service will register your asylum case. You may or may not have an “admissibility interview” to determine if you can apply for asylum in Greece. Learn more about the procedure here.
- But, if you don’t have an admissibility interview, find your asylum insist. This should examine in Greece; you will have an asylum interview. The asylum interview is also called an “eligibility interview” on the islands.
Successful applications
- Refugee status
- Subsidiary protection (partial asylum)
Interview
You have to report to the Asylum Office as of the date of the thorough interview. During this interview, the staff member of the Asylum Service will ask you questions. These questions are about the information contained in your application. That includes information
- About your identity
- How you came to Greece
- Why you left your country of origin
- Or where you used to live, and why you can not or do not want to return to that country.
- You may also request any other evidence during the interview that you deem necessary. The Asylum Service may decide to keep documents if they need them. And will provide you with a signed receipt for any submitted papers.
Rejected applications
Documents to apply for asylum
Rights of Recognized Refugees
- You hold all your rights and responsibilities as an asylum seeker.
- You will get a three-year residency permit.
- You should apply for a travel permit that allows you to tour as a tourist in other countries. You are not permitted to stay longer than 90 days in another European country.
- After completing five years of legal and permanent stay in the country. After that, you can apply for a long-term residency permit.
- You will have access to a wide range of educational resources—this including programs for colleges, universities, and vocational training.
- You are entitled to pursue a liberal career, work as a freelancer, or start your own business.
- You have health benefits available under the same conditions as Greek citizens.
- If you are a recognized refugee, you have the right to be reunited with members of your family. They are in your home country or another third country. If you are a beneficiary of subsidiary rights, you do not have the privilege.
- After you have lived in the country for at least three years, you can apply for Greek citizenship.
Benefits
Education Access
Access to refugee and asylum seekers education in Greece:
The Greek education system is under the Religious Affairs Ministry’s foremost responsibility.
More information is available here in Greek, which is provided by the Ministry. In Greece, the education guide is also available in English, Arabic, and Farsi.
Will kids get an education in Greece?
Yes, whether you’re an asylum seeker, an admitted refugee, your minor children can enter the national education system under similar conditions as Greek nationals.
You want the same documentation as are required from Greek nationals to enroll. Your kids may be eligible even though they don’t have a birth certificate or family status. But it includes the following documents:
- Your “foreign visa claimant” or “asylum seeker’s passport” or residency permit valid;
- A guide on well-being or vaccinations;
- Evidence of domicile.
- Refugee children’s education is available while they stay in the country; attendance documents will be made available upon your formal departure from Greece. Accessing education in Greece doesn’t allow you and members of your family to live in Greece.
Healthcare service
Access to refugee and asylum-seeker health services in Greece:
In Greece, every asylum seeker has the right to have equal access to health care.
In emergencies
You can receive medical care at a hospital’s Emergency Room if you need urgent medical treatment. The Ministry of Health provides here to find out the hospital has an emergency department at duty and days. Please note that the specifics in this connection are in Greek only.
You should call 166 to MEDICAL EMERGENCY