A new immigration circular in Greece has raised serious concerns among the Albanian community, as it is expected to directly affect the renewal of residence permits for thousands of migrants. According to expert Edmond Guri, until 2025 Greek legislation followed a more humane approach toward migrants, allowing even those who had lived in the country for many years to apply for residence permits.

However, after that period, there has been a noticeable tightening of policies, especially regarding irregular migration.

In July and August 2025, Greece approved two new laws aimed at curbing illegal immigration. Under these measures, any person without proper documentation who is detained by authorities is initially sent to detention centers and may then face penalties ranging from fines to 1–2 years of imprisonment. Deportation is accompanied by a ban on re-entry to Greece and other EU countries for a period of 5 to 10 years.

Another controversial element, experts say, is that even if a deportation decision is appealed, it can still be executed immediately, while the appeal is reviewed afterward.

The new circular particularly affects migrants who lost their residence permits over the past year. It does not introduce new opportunities to regain legal status for other vulnerable categories, such as individuals with health problems or those who have lacked documentation for long periods.

Reactions from the Albanian diaspora have been strong. Various organizations and individuals have raised concerns about the high legal costs and the growing legal uncertainty faced by migrants.

Currently, around 500,000 legal migrants live in Greece, of whom approximately 140,000 are Albanians with residence permits. Meanwhile, it is estimated that 70,000–80,000 Albanians have lost this status—a figure that remains concerning, even though it is declining. Experts note that difficulties in obtaining documentation, along with more favorable opportunities in other European Union countries, are contributing to the gradual departure of Albanians from Greece.

Guri emphasized that the new circular mainly introduces faster processing for those who already have valid documentation, while offering no new solutions for undocumented migrants. He added that the broader shift in policy reflects a stricter approach by the current government toward immigration.