Greece Proposes Tougher Penalties for Migrant Smuggling, Including Life Sentences

New Bill Targets Migrant Trafficking with Harsher Sentences

The Greek Migration Ministry announced on January 24, 2026, the submission of a new bill to parliament aimed at significantly increasing penalties for migrant trafficking. The proposed legislation includes provisions for sentences of up to life imprisonment for smugglers and the direct expulsion of migrants convicted of related offenses. Parliament is expected to begin examining the bill next week.

Key Provisions of the Legislation

The comprehensive bill seeks to strengthen Greece's stance against illegal migration by introducing several stringent measures. According to the ministry, 'Penalties for the illegal trafficking of migrants will be toughened at all levels.' Key aspects of the proposed law include:

• The introduction of life imprisonment as a potential sentence for individuals found guilty of serious migrant trafficking offenses.
• Provisions for the direct expulsion of migrants who are convicted of offenses under the new law.
• The criminalization of assistance provided to irregular migrants by those who hold regular legal status in Greece.
• Stricter prison sentences and fines for members of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) who are implicated in trafficking cases.

Officials have stated that these changes are designed to close existing loopholes in enforcement and send a clear message regarding the consequences of illegal migration activities.

Broader Migration Policy and Context

This legislative push comes as Greece, a primary entry point into Europe during the 2015 refugee crisis, continues to grapple with migration challenges. The bill is part of a broader effort to modernize Greek migration policy. Beyond punitive measures, the legislation also aims to facilitate legal migration by easing hiring procedures for workers from third countries, creating a new visa category for employees of high-tech companies, and issuing residence permits to international students for the duration of their studies. Additionally, vocational training programs are being introduced for asylum seekers and refugees in sectors facing labor shortages, such as construction, agriculture, and tourism, to aid their integration into the job market.

NGO Concerns and Recent Acquittals

The proposed toughening of penalties, particularly those affecting aid workers, has drawn significant criticism. A joint statement from 56 NGOs, including the Greek branches of Doctors of the World and Doctors Without Borders, called for the immediate withdrawal of several articles. These organizations expressed concern over provisions that reclassify certain offenses as crimes, potentially leading to up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines for NGO members. They also highlighted concerns about the ministry's power to remove organizations from the registry based solely on charges, without a conviction.

The timing of the bill follows recent legal proceedings that have brought the issue of 'criminalization of solidarity' into sharp focus. On January 15, 2026, a Greek court in Lesbos acquitted 24 aid workers, including Sarah Mardini, who had faced charges of forming a criminal organization and illegally facilitating entry. This acquittal, after a seven-year legal ordeal, was welcomed by human rights groups like Amnesty International, which emphasized that 'solidarity, compassion and defending human rights should be protected and celebrated, not punished.'