Data recently released indicates a significant number of individuals previously recognized as refugees in Greece are traveling onward to Germany and subsequently filing new asylum applications.
Between January and May of this year, approximately 8,000 people submitted protection requests with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf), despite already holding recognized refugee status in Greece. This trend, referred to as secondary migration, represents a total of over 26,000 individuals throughout 2024.
The phenomenon is facilitated by the Schengen border code, which permits recognized refugees to travel freely within the EU for up to 90 days within a six-month period. While this allows for mobility, European law stipulates that refugees cannot file new asylum applications in another EU member state.
The Federal Interior Ministry has stated that individuals granted protection in Greece are obligated to utilize that protection within Greece. A substantial portion of these onward journeys is reportedly being undertaken by air travel.
Concerns have been raised by the Police Union (GdP), highlighting a perceived imbalance in security efforts. Andreas Roßkopf, chairman of the GdP’s Federal Police division, pointed out that while federal police resources are extensively deployed to control land borders with Poland and Austria and to monitor other routes, airport controls remain largely inadequate. “We are controlling the land borders and simultaneously have little means to address illegal migration at airports. This is absurd” Roßkopf stated. He emphasized the need for increased authority for the federal police to control and reject secondary migration, requiring coordination with other European states and airlines.
A recent ruling by the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig in April concluded that internationally protected individuals who are single, employable and not considered vulnerable would not face “degrading or inhumane living conditions” upon returning to Greece. This decision may potentially simplify the process of returning young men to Greece in cases of secondary migration.
Refugee aid organization Pro Asyl, however, continues to describe the conditions for refugees in Greece as “inhumane” and largely unchanged over recent years, citing a situation where basic necessities – beds, food and sanitation – are frequently unavailable. They argue many recognized refugees initially find themselves without shelter and must rely on temporary arrangements. Pro Asyl highlights that conditions remain “precarious and far from safe”.