Crete and Gavdos have become the main entry points to Greece for irregular migrants, according to data released on February 17 by Greek-based NGO Refugee Support Aegean.
The data released by the organization promoting the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in Greece was based on information provided by the Greek coast guard.
The Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos have become the main entry point to Greece for irregular migrants, according to the latest data available.
Last year, landing reported on Greece's largest island and Gavdos - over which Crete has administrative jurisdiction - increased fourfold compared to the previous year.
In particular, 20,187 migrants reached the two islands in 2025 after departing from Libya's coasts, the NGO Refugee Support Aegean said on February 17.
The NGO said they had cross-checked the data from the coast guard with the local authorities, as well as reports in national media.
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The figures bucked the trend recorded in the rest of Greece. The overall number of irregular migrant arrivals in the Mediterranean country, including those documented in the eastern Aegean islands and at the land border with Turkey, totaled 48,298 in 2025 -- down by 21 percent compared to the 60,886 registered the previous year.
In order to manage the increase reported by Crete in asylum seekers' arrivals, Greece's Parliament recently approved an amendment to draft legislation on migration policies which provides for the creation of at least two temporary hosting facilities on the island, funded by the European Union.
Overall, 37 percent of migrants who reached Crete and Gavdos last year were of Sudanese origin while 18 percent hailed from Bangladesh, according to the data.
The crossing to reach Greece's coast is very dangerous, the NGO highlighted. "Throughout 2025, and particularly during the second half of the year, a significant increase in shipwrecks was recorded in the area of Crete and Gavdos, with dozens of people losing their lives and many others remaining missing to this day", stated Refugee Support Aegean.