Migrant Service Centre
Law 2910/01 gave illegal migrants in Greece the opportunity to submit documents to legalise their status.
Initially, the City of Athens operated seven migrant reception centres (from 08:00 to 20:00), which received some 55,000 residence permit applications that were then forwarded to the Attica Region authority.
The seven centres were gradually phased out and one centre, at the corner of Pireos and 70 Sofokleous sts, remained in operation.
At the end of 2001, by which time most citizens of third countries were submitting applications for residence permit renewals and change of personal data, the Migrant Service Section, which fell under the then Social Welfare and Health Department, was established.
Some 30.000 applications were submitted in 2002, 70,000 in 2003 and 86,000 in 2004.
During particularly busy periods, the service was open on weekends.
In mid-2003, the service's operations were automated then in 2004 were further upgraded. Now all applications are transferred electronically to the Attica Region. This enables the documentation of full statistical details.
In January 2005 the Migrant Service Section moved to a new, larger building on the corner of Psarron & 45 Mezonos streets, in order to better serve increased needs.
Additionally, as part of the municipality's reorganization, the Migrant Service Section became the Migrant Services Department, which comprises the following sections:
- Migrant Administrative Services Section
- Secretariat & Records Management Section
- Migrant Social Welfare Section
