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Pre-removal detention centres
According to Article 51(1) Asylum Code, asylum applicants are detained in detention areas as provided in Article 31 L 3907/2011, which refers to pre-removal detention centres established in accordance with the provisions of the Returns Directive. Therefore, asylum applicants are also detained in pre-removal detention centres together with third-country nationals under removal procedures.
Seven pre-removal detention centres were active at the end of 2025. The total nationwide pre-removal detention capacity is 3,496 places. According to information provided to GCR by the Hellenic Police on 6 March 2026, the capacity of the pre-removal detention facilities in 2025 was as follows:
| Capacity of pre-removal detention centres (2025) [1] | ||
| Centre | Region | Capacity |
| Amygdaleza | Attica | 1,000 |
| Tavros
(Petrou Ralli) |
Attica | 200 |
| Corinth | Peloponnese | 1,344 |
| Paranesti, Drama | Thrace | 310 |
| Xanthi | Thrace | 210 |
| Fylakio, Orestiada | Thrace | 232 |
| Kos | Dodecanese | 100 |
| Total | 3,496 | |
To the above it is added the Special Detention Facility of Sintiki (Serres) established in mid 2025, with a capacity of 751 detention places. As noted, this was established in part of the Controlled Temporary Reception Centre Sintiki and placed under the competence of the Hellenic Police for the purposes of implementing the Greek Government’s decision to suspend access to asylum for persons arriving by sea from North Africa, pursuant to Article 79 L. 5218/2025.[2]
In addition, another 558 persons, all of whom had expressed their will to apply for asylum, were administratively detained in the Special Detention Facility of Sintiki (Serres),[3] which was established in part of the Controlled Temporary Reception Centre Sintiki and placed under the competence of the Hellenic Police for the purposes of implementing the Greek Government’s decision to suspend access to asylum for persons arriving by sea from North Africa, pursuant to Article 79 L. 5218/2025.
Police stations
Despite public statements from the Greek authorities committing to phase out detention in police stations and other holding facilities, third-country nationals including asylum applicants and unaccompanied children were also detained in police stations and special holding facilities during 2025. As confirmed by the Directorate of the Hellenic Police, on 31 December 2025, a total of 265 third country nationals (TCNs), 15 of whom had expressed their will to apply for asylum, were administratively detained in police stations and other holding facilities under the competence of the Police.[4]
In October 2025, the ECtHR found inter alia a violation of article 3 ECHR in the case of B.F. v. Greece (App. No. 59816/13), which concerned an asylum applicant who had remained detained for a period of more than two months at the Kolonos police station; “a facility”, as noted by the Court, “which, in terms of its design, lacked amenities required for prolonged periods of detention”.[5]
As explained in Grounds for Detention, detention is also de facto applied in mainland RICs and Closed Control Access Centres of the Aegean Islands.
[1] Information provided by the Directorate of the Hellenic Police, 16 January 2025.
[2] Ibid. & Reply to Parliamentary Question No 1351/21-11-2025, https://tinyurl.com/tf65bnhw.
[3] Information provided by the Directorate of the Hellenic Police, 6 March 2026.
[4] Information provided by the Directorate of the Hellenic Police, 6 March 2026.
[5] ECtHR, CASE OF B.F. v. GREECE (Application no. 59816/13), para. 50.