N. Mitarakis: In 2022 we continue the strict, but fair immigration policy that we have drawn up in previous years

The largest decrease is recorded in the residents of Leros, which is of the order of 96%, followed by Samos with 88%, Chios with 84%, Lesvos with 76%, and Kos with 48%. It is worth noting the significant decongestion in the islands of the North Aegean as the residents now constitute 1.36% of the population (2011 census) while in the corresponding month of 2021 they constituted 7.33%.

More specifically, the number of people living on the islands in January 2022 is 3,354. Of these, 3,044 live in KYT and 8 in other structures, the remaining 302 live, 116 in Α.Τ. and the PROKEKA of ELAS, 186 in the structures of EKKA.

The total number of residents in the Territory in January 2022 is also reduced by 51% compared to January 2021.

According to the January newsletter, the flows in the arrivals during the 1st month of 2022 are increased by 45% in the islands and by 51% in total, compared to the 1st month of 2021.

However, flows in arrivals in January 2022 are reduced by 38% compared to December 2021.

After systematic efforts, in the first month of 2022, 600 people left for either Europe or third countries through the mechanisms of deportation, return and relocation of third country nationals, while 440 people arrived in our country, with the balance of departures / arrivals remaining positive.

In January 2022, a total of 31,508 asylum seekers resided in all structures managed or supervised by the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, while now, in January 2021, 63,915 resided.

The pending cases of the Asylum Service and the Appeals Authority (in A ‘and B’ degree) record a decrease of 50%. The pending applications in A and B grade reach a total of 38,225 when in January 2021 it was 77,197

Regarding legal immigration, the residence permits of Third Country Citizens in force in January 2022 amounted to 686,519, increased by 36.0% compared to January 2021 and decreased by 1.0% compared to December 2021. ( The large increase in Strong Licenses January 2022 compared to January 2021 is due to the automatic extension of licenses granted due to the pandemic).

The top three countries of origin of third-country nationals with valid residence permits are Albania with 62.8%, Georgia with 4.4%, followed by China with 4.0%.

Of the 178,450 applications submitted for renewal and granting of initial residence permit between January 2021 – January 2022, 36% of those corresponding to 63,367 grant-renewal decisions have been issued, for 1% rejection decisions were issued, while 63% pending.

Regarding the permanent investor residence permit (Golden Visa), the total permanent investor residence permits (initial and renewals) valid in January 2022 amount to 10,804. 9,619 (89%) are for initial loans and 1,185 (11%) are for renewals. The main country of origin of investors in our country are the citizens of China, at a rate of 66.4%, followed by the citizens of Turkey (6.4%) and Russia (6.2%).

More specifically, out of the 2,145 initial residence permit applications submitted between January 2021 and January 2022, 41% have been issued, which corresponds to 878 initial investor residence permits issued.

Out of the 470 applications submitted for renewal of residence permit in the period January 2021 – January 2022, a total of 59% has been renewed, which corresponds to 276 renewals of residence permits.

The Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Mr. Notis Mitarakis, stated:

“In 2022 we continue the strict, but fair immigration policy that we have pursued in the previous two years. Flows remain consistently low and decongestion is becoming a practice, both in the islands and in mainland Greece. “We promote with determination and dedication the completion of the national reception system at the points of entry of the country. Our goal is that the immigration crisis does not negatively affect the local communities”