Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Enforcement of immigration legislation data (EIL statistics) contain statistical information based on Article 5 and 7of the Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2020/851 with reference to third-countrynationals:
Refused entry at the external border,
Found to be illegally present;
Ordered to leave;
Returned following an order to leave.
3.2. Classification system
See table 3.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Migration and asylum – Enforcement of Immigration Legislation statistics.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
3.5. Statistical unit
Y1: Number of persons
Y2: Apprehensions (number of administrative acts)
Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6: Number of persons
3.6. Statistical population
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
3.7. Reference area
Greece - EL
3.8. Coverage - Time
See table 3.8. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of persons.
Calendar quarter and calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The issues of maintaining statistical confidentiality are regulated by Articles 6, 7, and 8 of Law 3832/2010, as amended by Article 90, paragraph 8 of Law 3842/2010, and Article 10 of Law 3899/2010, as well as by Article 8 of Law 2392/1996, which was reinstated according to Article 90, paragraph 8 of Law 3842/2010.
At the European level, Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)), of March 11, 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), defines the need for establishing common principles and guidelines that ensure the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and access to such confidential data, taking into account technical developments and user requirements.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Hellenic Police protects and does not disseminate the data it possesses or has access to, which allow for the direct or indirect identification of the statistical units that provided the data by revealing individualized information, obtained directly for statistical purposes or indirectly from administrative or other sources. It takes all appropriate preventive measures to prevent the identification of individual statistical units through technical or other means that can reasonably be used by third parties. Statistical results that may enable the identification of the statistical unit are disseminated by Hellenic Police only if:
These results have been modified, as specifically defined in the Regulation of Statistical Obligations of the entities of the Hellenic Statistical System (ELSS), in such a way that their dissemination does not compromise statistical confidentiality; or
The statistical unit has unreservedly consented to the disclosure of the data.
There is not a published documentation on methodology concerning the collection and evaluation of EIL statistics.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not requested.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not applicable.
11.1. Quality assurance
Not available.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
1. Description of the Quality management system at national level
Comprehensive quality controls are implemented throughout the entire process, spanning from the initial data collection phase to the final formulation. The data undergoes rigorous validation through logical checks designed to identify and rectify any potential errors. Following these thorough inspections and cross-referencing procedures, and after making the necessary adjustments, the resulting outcomes are deemed to be of the highest quality.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
1. General aspects
The statistics collected under the Regulation 862/2007 are widely used in official publications and by a wide range of users at national, European and International level.
Main users of EIL statistics at national level The EIL statistics produced are regularly used by national administrations: academic researchers and civil society groups working on a wide range of topics including the integration of immigrants, the development and monitoring of national asylum and immigration procedures, and the projection of the future population and labour force.
National administrations in policy/decisions making, National statistics office, Local authorities and organizations, academic and scientific research and Media.
Main users of EIL statistics at European and International level The main users of EIL statistics are Eurostat, DG Home Affairs and EASO . The statistics are used in several publications of the Commission, as well as in the preparation of regular reports, policy proposals and analysis. The statistics also provide an input to the EMN studies and reports that address specific issues of current policy importance.
2. EIL data publication at national level
Presentation of the EIL statistics published at national level
No national publication on EIL statistics. At national level, the Hellenic Police publishes, on a monthly and annually basis, data with different variables.
Differences between the data provided to Eurostat and the data published at national level (Comparability of figures)
There are differences between the categories.The data published at national level, which are also included into EIL statistics, are identical.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
See table 12.3. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not requested.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
No major systematic errors are identified in the statistical outputs. An accuracy of nearly 100 % is to be expected.
13.2. Sampling error
Procedures and classifications used in case of missing information (e.g. unknown citizenship, age, etc)
In the database, mandatory and optional fields are used the same. The missing information is requested via formal document or email from our regional Services, which upload the data in the “Mapping on Migrants” application. Unknown citizenship, age and gender is classified as unknown.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not requested.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not requested.
13.3.1. Coverage error
See table 13.3.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not requested.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not requested.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not requested.
13.3.4. Processing error
No significant errors are identified.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not requested.
14.1. Timeliness
No significant time lags are identified.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not requested.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not requested.
14.2. Punctuality
Problems with data provision to Eurostat in due time and the impact of these problems on the data quality provided to Eurostat.
"See table 14.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’."
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not requested.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
1. Provision of data using the Eurostat EIL Technical Guidelines and exceptions applied.
Full compliance with EIL technical guidelines.
2. Details on categories of Non-EU citizens difficult to be classified using the reference definitions from EIL technical guidelines and the categories excluded from these reasons (excluded from the statistics reported).
Full compliance with EIL technical guidelines.
3. Description of records related to "Unknown" country of citizenship category.
Full compliance with EIL technical guidelines.
4. Description of records related to "Unknown" age category.
Persons whose current age is not identified.
5. Description of records related to "Unknown" sex category.
Persons whose sex is not identified.
6. Establishing the reported ground in case of “multiple grounds” for the same refusal and the impact on double counting of the person in the same dataset.
The methodological procedure of "one ground per refused person", is applied, as laid down in EIL Technical Guidelines (procedure of "higher ground overrules the lower ground for refusal).
There is no impact on double counting.
7. Type of "external border" applicable.
Land boarder, Sea border and Air border
8. The definition of “refused Non-EU citizens” applied.
The Schengen Borders Code's refusal definition is applies for the Statistics reported to Eurostat
9. The correspondence between the national system of “grounds for refusal" classification and Schengen Borders Code classification.
The national system uses the same definitions related to the “grounds for refusal”.
10. The definition of “Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present” applied.
The number of third-country nationals who have been detected by authorities while not fulfilling, or no longer fulfilling, the conditions for stay or residence, either when they are detected inland or while trying to exit the territory.
11. The definition of “Non-EU citizens ordered to leave” applied.
The number of third-country nationals subject to an obligation to leave the territory of the Member State as a result of an administrative or judicial decision or act stating or declaring that the stay of the third-country national was illegal according to a return decision/order issued in accordance with national law.
12. The definition of “Non-EU citizens returned following an order to leave” applied.
The number of third-country nationals returned from a Member State to a third country, either through voluntary departure or by forced return.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not requested.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
See table 15.3. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
No significant lack of coherence is identified.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not requested.
15.4. Coherence - internal
1. Links and differences between the Non-EU citizens with obligation to leave and Non-EU citizens who actually left the territory.
There are links between the statistics on Non-EU citizen with obligation to leave and Non-EU citizens who actually left the territory. More specifically, a Non-EU citizen who actually left the territory is a person who actually left the territory while he had already the obligation to leave the territory (a return decision/order issued in accordance with national law).
2. Links and differences between the Non-EU citizens who actually left the territory and Non-EU citizens who left the territory to a third country.
Persons reported under "left to a third country" are also included under "who actually left the territory".
Not requested.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The data may be revised in accordance with the most recently updated information.
17.2. Data revision - practice
See table 17.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not requested.
18.1. Source data
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual and Monthly.
18.3. Data collection
National systematic process of gathering data for official statistics.
18.4. Data validation
Description of the data validation system at national level.
Data extracted on a monthly basis from the “Mapping of Migrants” application, is verified and reviewed directly from the Border Protection Division. Compare data with daily reports.
18.5. Data compilation
Estimations used: Details on the estimations done for EIL statistics (methodology applied and the concerned categories and tables).
Not applicable.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not requested.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not requested.
1. General remarks
The following classification is used for data availability at Eurostat level:
The term "not applicable" relates to the categories of permits which do not exist in nationallegislation/administrative procedures and therefore such statistics cannot be issued;
The term "not available" relates to categories of data that exist in the national legal/administrative system butcannot be delivered under EIL data collection for various reasons (e.g. data cannot exist, data exist but are notcollected, data are unreliable, etc.).
2. General description of the statistical domain at national level
EIL National System (level of development, main changes that affected the system in the last years and furtherdevelopment).
The national system of Greece for the generation of the EIL-statistics consists of two different Divisions of theAliens & Border Protection Branch of Hellenic Police HQs. For the collection of the EIL statistics Border ProtectionDivision is the responsible authority, which takes over the unification and the upload of the data on behalf of theHellenic Police/HQs. This system is unchanged since introduction of the EIL-statistics.
Legal national framework relevant for EIL statistics:
Presidential decree 178/2014;
Institutional infrastructure (list of the institutions involved in managing the EIL registers and the institutionsinvolved in the production of the EIL statistics);
Border Protection Division and Migration Management Division of Hellenic Police HQs;
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens refused entry at the external borders;
All available relevant data registered electronically, prepared for reporting, in specific applications of our nationalIT system “Police on Line” such as “Mapping of Migrants”. In addition, our division receives, compares andevaluates the collected data, which are reported in a daily base by our regional Services;
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present;
All available relevant data registered electronically, prepared for reporting, in specific applications of our nationalIT system “Police on Line”, such as “Mapping of Migrants”;
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens ordered to leave;
All available relevant data registered electronically, prepared for reporting, in specific applications of our nationalIT system “Police on Line” such as “Mapping of Migrants”;
General procedure for recording Non-EU citizens returned following an order to leave;
All available relevant data registered electronically, prepared for reporting, in specific applications of our nationalIT system “Police on Line” such as “Mapping of Migrants”.
3. Main problems that affect the quality of the data and what tables are concerned including thecompliance status with the definitions from EIL Technical Guideline.
There are not any critical problems concerning the quality of the data.
Enforcement of immigration legislation data (EIL statistics) contain statistical information based on Article 5 and 7of the Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2020/851 with reference to third-countrynationals:
Refused entry at the external border,
Found to be illegally present;
Ordered to leave;
Returned following an order to leave.
12 July 2025
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
Y1: Number of persons
Y2: Apprehensions (number of administrative acts)
Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6: Number of persons
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
Greece - EL
Calendar quarter and calendar year.
No major systematic errors are identified in the statistical outputs. An accuracy of nearly 100 % is to be expected.
Number of persons.
Estimations used: Details on the estimations done for EIL statistics (methodology applied and the concerned categories and tables).
Not applicable.
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
Monthly.
No significant time lags are identified.
1. Provision of data using the Eurostat EIL Technical Guidelines and exceptions applied.
Full compliance with EIL technical guidelines.
2. Details on categories of Non-EU citizens difficult to be classified using the reference definitions from EIL technical guidelines and the categories excluded from these reasons (excluded from the statistics reported).
Full compliance with EIL technical guidelines.
3. Description of records related to "Unknown" country of citizenship category.
Full compliance with EIL technical guidelines.
4. Description of records related to "Unknown" age category.
Persons whose current age is not identified.
5. Description of records related to "Unknown" sex category.
Persons whose sex is not identified.
6. Establishing the reported ground in case of “multiple grounds” for the same refusal and the impact on double counting of the person in the same dataset.
The methodological procedure of "one ground per refused person", is applied, as laid down in EIL Technical Guidelines (procedure of "higher ground overrules the lower ground for refusal).
There is no impact on double counting.
7. Type of "external border" applicable.
Land boarder, Sea border and Air border
8. The definition of “refused Non-EU citizens” applied.
The Schengen Borders Code's refusal definition is applies for the Statistics reported to Eurostat
9. The correspondence between the national system of “grounds for refusal" classification and Schengen Borders Code classification.
The national system uses the same definitions related to the “grounds for refusal”.
10. The definition of “Non-EU citizens found to be illegally present” applied.
The number of third-country nationals who have been detected by authorities while not fulfilling, or no longer fulfilling, the conditions for stay or residence, either when they are detected inland or while trying to exit the territory.
11. The definition of “Non-EU citizens ordered to leave” applied.
The number of third-country nationals subject to an obligation to leave the territory of the Member State as a result of an administrative or judicial decision or act stating or declaring that the stay of the third-country national was illegal according to a return decision/order issued in accordance with national law.
12. The definition of “Non-EU citizens returned following an order to leave” applied.
The number of third-country nationals returned from a Member State to a third country, either through voluntary departure or by forced return.
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EIL 2024’.
