How does a small Mediterranean country at the edge of Europe shape the migration policies of one of the continent’s largest economies? Can Germany’s welfare system truly be a magnet for irregular migration, or is it merely a convenient destination for those seeking stability and security? These are among the pressing questions at the heart of Europe’s migration challenges today.
Over the past decade, Greece has become one of the primary gateways for irregular migration into Europe. In 2024 alone, over 56,000 migrants arrived on its shores, primarily through maritime routes from Türkiye. Meanwhile, Germany remains the most sought-after destination, receiving more than 200,000 asylum applications in the same year—many from individuals who first set foot in Greece. The disparity between the two countries in terms of economic opportunity, social welfare, and asylum processing efficiency has led to a persistent cycle of secondary migration, placing strain on bilateral relations and the broader EU migration framework.
This article examines the intricate relationship between Greece’s migration management strategies and Germany’s pull factors, dissecting how policies in both countries shape migration flows and what can be done to create a fairer, more sustainable approach to asylum in Europe.
The Greek model of managing irregular migration
Greece has faced immense pressure as a key entry point for irregular migrants, particularly those arriving from Türkiye. In response, the country has bolstered its border control and surveillance measures, increasing patrols in the Aegean Sea with the assistance of FRONTEX and the Greek Coast Guard. Advanced technologies such as drones and thermal cameras have further enhanced monitoring efforts, alongside stricter legal measures to deter unauthorized crossings.
Once migrants arrive, they are placed in reception facilities and hotspot centers on islands such as Lesvos, Samos, and Chios. The acceleration of asylum procedures aims to reduce backlogs and prevent the buildup of large numbers of asylum seekers in Greece. However, the system is not without flaws—overcrowding, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and humanitarian concerns continue to pose challenges.
Greece also actively participates in the EU-Türkiye Statement (2016), which facilitates the return of migrants whose asylum applications are rejected. Readmission agreements with Türkiye and other countries have been established, but deportations and voluntary return programs remain difficult to enforce. Internally, Greece has intensified its efforts to manage migration through stricter police checks and limitations on access to employment and services for those without legal status.
Germany’s welfare system and its role as a pull factor
Germany has long been perceived as a magnet for migrants, thanks to its robust economy and comprehensive welfare benefits. The country offers extensive social support, including housing assistance, healthcare, and educational programs for migrants and their families. The availability of vocational training and access to jobs further enhances its appeal, drawing many asylum seekers who initially enter Europe through Greece.
However, disparities in asylum recognition rates between Greece and Germany encourage secondary movements, with many migrants attempting to reach Germany in hopes of obtaining more favorable conditions. Loopholes in EU asylum regulations, particularly weaknesses in enforcing the Dublin Regulation, enable migrants to travel irregularly between EU states. Additionally, migrant networks and smugglers facilitate movements from Greece to Germany, complicating efforts to control the flow of people within Europe.
The migration link between Greece and Germany
The relationship between Greece and Germany in the context of migration is shaped by both structural and policy-driven factors. The overburdened Greek reception system often struggles to accommodate the continuous inflow of asylum seekers, resulting in deteriorating living conditions. As a result, many migrants do not view Greece as a long-term destination but rather as a transit country on their way to Germany, where they perceive better economic opportunities and social welfare provisions.
In some cases, Greece’s migration policies indirectly contribute to this movement. Overcrowded reception centers and strict but fair asylum procedures create an environment where migrants feel compelled to seek alternatives elsewhere. Limited job opportunities, a struggling economy, and gaps in integration programs further push migrants toward Germany, where they believe they will receive better support and have higher chances of employment.
On the other hand, Germany’s relatively generous welfare policies, strong labor market, and high asylum acceptance rates serve as powerful pull factors. While Greece enforces stricter controls to manage migration, the lack of comprehensive EU-wide mechanisms to prevent secondary movements allows many migrants to circumvent existing regulations and move northward.
Another critical aspect of this migration link is the role of migrant networks. Many asylum seekers who reach Greece already have family members or connections in Germany, making them more likely to continue their journey rather than remain in Greece. Social networks play a significant role in influencing migration decisions, often providing logistical support and financial assistance to those attempting to reach Germany.
At the EU level, burden-sharing mechanisms remain inadequate to address these challenges effectively. Greece continues to push for greater support from its EU partners, while Germany advocates for reforms in migration policies that would prevent excessive strain on certain member states. The disparities in migration management approaches between Greece and Germany highlight the broader need for a coordinated and balanced EU migration strategy.
Recent border control measures in Germany
In response to rising secondary migration and increased asylum applications, Germany has recently strengthened its border controls. In late 2024, the German government introduced enhanced police checks at key crossings, particularly along its borders with Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic, where many irregular migrants attempt to enter from other EU states, including Greece. These measures aim to identify and intercept migrants traveling without valid documentation and to enforce the Dublin Regulation, which mandates that asylum seekers must apply for protection in their first country of entry within the EU.
The German Minister of the Interior and Community has justified these actions as necessary to prevent uncontrolled secondary migration and ease pressure on domestic asylum services, which have seen record-high applications in 2023. However, critics argue that such controls challenge the EU’s principle of free movement and place an additional burden on frontline states like Greece, which already struggle to manage new arrivals.
Policy recommendations and future outlook
Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach. A more balanced EU-wide burden-sharing mechanism is essential to ensure frontline states like Greece are not left to manage migration pressures alone. Reforming the Dublin Regulation would help create a fairer system of asylum distribution across Europe, while increased financial and logistical support for border management and returns could ease the strain on Greece. The new Pact on Migration and Asylum introduces for the first time the operation of a mandatory mechanism of practical solidarity either in the form of financial support, operational assistance or relocations at the discretion of the Member States. However, the Dublin Regulation, which determines as the Member State responsible for receiving irregular migrants those in which the first asylum application was submitted or the first irregular entry into the EU took place, not only continues to constitute the cornerstone of the Pact’s operation but has been further tightened in terms of deadlines and the possibility of frontline Member States to refuse returns to their territories.
Germany, meanwhile, could consider fine-tuning its welfare policies to strike a balance between humanitarian support and measures to discourage irregular migration. Strengthening employment-based migration pathways could reduce dependence on asylum claims, while closer cooperation between Greece and Germany could help curb irregular movements.
Greece, on the other hand, due to its geostrategic position, is obliged to focus on protecting its national borders, which also happen to be European. However, it is understandable that regardless of the degree of intensification of border controls, illegal arrivals, whether on a small or large scale and in connection with international developments, will continue to exist. It is therefore necessary to implement balanced policies providing international protection to those in need of such protection and assuring immediate return to their countries of origin of those who are not entitled to asylum or who constitute a risk to public order. This of course presupposes the necessary change of agenda and the transformation of public consultation, which to date has been dominated by the unrestrained and generously subsidized by Brussels entitlementism or otherwise professional activism.
Toward a balanced and sustainable migration policy
The migration relationship between Greece and Germany remains one of the most complex within the European Union, reflecting both policy gaps and structural inequalities in migration management. As of early 2025, Greece continues to process a high number of irregular arrivals, with official figures indicating that over 56,000 asylum seekers entered the country in 2024 alone, primarily through maritime routes from Türkiye. Meanwhile, Germany remains the top EU destination for secondary migration, receiving more than 200,000 asylum applications in 2024, a significant portion of which originated from migrants who first arrived in Greece.
Despite ongoing efforts to strengthen EU-wide migration frameworks, challenges persist. The burden on Greece has intensified, with rising concerns over strained resources, overcrowded reception centers, and slow asylum processes. At the same time, Germany is witnessing increased political debates on migration, with growing calls for reforms that would prevent asylum shopping and secondary movements.
A sustainable and fair migration management system requires closer cooperation between Greece, Germany, and EU institutions. Policy reforms must not only address the redistribution of asylum seekers but also consider broader economic, social, and security concerns. Without comprehensive adjustments, the imbalances in migration patterns will likely continue, straining bilateral relations and undermining the EU’s ability to implement a cohesive and humane migration policy. The future of migration management in Europe depends on practical, balanced, and forward-thinking strategies that account for both frontline pressures and long-term integration goals.
* Marios Kaleas is General Director of the Greek Asylum Service and Deputy Chair of the Management Board of the European Agency for Asylum (EUAA).