Migration Minister Makis Voridis announced a new bill to tighten Greece’s immigration laws, set for May. It will impose stricter measures on migrants staying illegally after asylum denial, with increased criminal penalties and expanded administrative detention. Voridis noted a 27% drop in migration flows in Q1 2025.
Tag: legislation
Mitsotakis’ legislative inittaive is an attempt to tackle persistent shortages in the national healthcare system and strengthen regional medical services.
Greece is set to introduce a new age verification application named “Kids Wallet” to combat online addiction among minors, aligning with the EU’s broader efforts to enhance child protection online. This initiative includes features for parental control and supports a push for EU-wide regulations to ensure stricter protections for minors, including setting a digital majority age and mandatory parental control software on devices.
Cyprus is set to revolutionize its military landscape with a proposed law allowing women to volunteer for military service alongside their male counterparts. This initiative, pending parliamentary approval, could see women joining the forces as soon as October. The change marks a significant step towards gender equality in the military and emphasizes national security as a collective responsibility.
Greece is tightening regulations on the sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors with a new bill introducing stricter penalties and mandatory age verification. Under the proposed law, violations will result in severe sanctions, including business closures for repeat offenders. The Hellenic Police will lead enforcement efforts, while a new unit within EODY will oversee tobacco-related regulations.
The Greek government has implemented a series of significant reforms and investment initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s economic momentum and improving citizens’ lives. Key developments include the reduction of banking fees, healthcare improvements, the launch of new educational facilities, and strategic foreign investments. Additionally, new legislation to combat violence against women and targeted employment programs have been introduced to promote social well-being and economic sustainability.
Taxi drivers in Athens will stage a six-hour work stoppage today, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, protesting the new Road Traffic Code (RTC). Organized by the Taxi Drivers’ Union of Attica (SATA), the strike will include a rally and march towards the Ministry of Transport, with drivers demanding the right for commercial taxis to use bus lanes. The protest aims to raise awareness of the bill’s impact on their sector.
Greece will implement new, stricter regulations for short-term rentals starting October 1, 2025. The legislation introduces new operating standards, stricter inspections, and increased penalties for non-compliance.
In response to severe drought conditions on the Greek islands, hotels may soon switch to seawater for filling their swimming pools. New legislation is being considered to remove legal barriers and address the strain on water resources, particularly during the tourist season. Deputy Minister of Tourism Elena Rapti emphasized the importance of conserving water as part of this initiative.
The Greek government is taking decisive steps to address key public health and urban living challenges. Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis announced upcoming legislation to ban alcohol sales to minors and strengthen smoking regulations, while also unveiling plans to improve Athens’ public transport and road safety framework. These measures aim to enhance the quality of life and protect public well-being across Greece.
The Greek government is expected to announce new measures today aimed at protecting minors on social media. The reforms, targeting users under 15, will include parental control tools, an age-verification system, and upcoming legislation in collaboration with tech companies.
The Greek Parliament has approved a crucial bill to restructure the nation’s railway network and strengthen transport regulatory bodies. With 157 votes in favour, the legislation, part of a broader action plan developed with the European Commission, aims to address long-standing issues in the railway sector. Minister Christos Staikouras emphasised the government’s commitment to reform, highlighting the plan’s clear timelines, resources, and milestones for modernising Greece’s transport infrastructure.
Greece is rolling out a comprehensive National Strategy to protect minors from internet addiction, with measures including a parental control platform, age authentication tools, and new legislation in collaboration with European partners. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasised the importance of parental involvement and proposed setting the “digital adulthood” age at 15. The initiative aims to create a safer online environment for children and address the challenges of excessive social media use.
The Greek government is incentivizing property owners to convert short-term rentals (like Airbnb) into long-term leases by reducing the required short-term rental period from three years to one to qualify for a three-year tax break. However, property owner associations like POMIDA argue that linking the tax break to the initial tenant, rather than the property itself, creates insecurity and discourages participation.
Australia has enacted a controversial law that bans social media platforms from allowing users under 16, sparking debates over online safety and privacy. Major tech companies and child advocacy groups have raised concerns about the law’s potential to push young users to less regulated online spaces, while the government defends it as a necessary step to protect children.
Australia’s House of Representatives has passed a groundbreaking bill aimed at banning children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. With hefty fines for non-compliance, the legislation now heads to the Senate, sparking a wider debate on digital safety and privacy. Despite some criticism, proponents view the measure as a crucial step in protecting young users online.
Premier Hon Jacinta Allan MP met with faith and community leaders to discuss strengthened anti-vilification laws aimed at curbing hate speech and protecting social cohesion in Victoria. The meeting precedes the introduction of the bills in Parliament next week and included discussions on balancing freedom of speech with the need for a respectful society. The Premier and Lord Mayor later addressed public safety for upcoming Christmas events.
Cyprus plans to revoke subsidiary protection status from migrants involved in serious criminal activities, integrating EU provisions into its new legislation. Deputy Minister Nicholas Ioannides emphasized the withdrawal of protection as a consequence for those abusing their hospitality. While direct repatriation remains a challenge, agreements with third countries may offer relocation solutions. This decision has stirred criticism from the UN due to concerns over human rights violations faced by returning Syrian refugees and asylum seeker pushbacks to the UN buffer zone.
Greece is considering a new legislative regulation to exempt tips below a certain threshold from taxation, following a Supreme Court ruling that classified all tips as taxable income. The proposed regulation aims to provide relief for employees and businesses affected by the recent decision.
In response to concerns about immigration, the Dutch government announced measures aimed at discouraging asylum seekers. Among these measures are the end of open-ended asylum permits and stricter limits on family reunification for granted asylum. Additionally, plans are underway for a state of emergency law that may freeze new asylum applications for up to two years and reduce services for asylum seekers. Despite the EU’s likely resistance to such measures, the Dutch government is seeking an exemption from EU asylum rules, reflecting a broader strategy to navigate existing migration agreements.