Published in the State Gazette on 3 April 2016, the New Asylum Law adapts the Greek legislation to the provisions of EU Directive 2013/32 on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection. It includes provisions on residence permit (Article 22) for humanitarian reasons. It also establishes a General Secretariat of Reception and details the organisation and operation of the Asylum Service as well as that of the Appeals Authority and the Reception and Identification Authority.

Concerning the participation of beneficiaries of international protection in the labour market (Articles 68-71), Law 4375/2016 establishes the automatic access to employment once applicants are provided with an asylum seeker’s card, whereas the previous legislation - Presidential Decree 220/2007 (Article 10(1) -, required a separate procedure for work permit following the granting of refugees status or an asylum seeker’s card and included conditions linked to labour market needs for specific professions. The priority awarded to Greek and EU citizens made it difficult for asylum seekers to find employment in practice, according to UNHCR's observations on the current situation of asylum in Greece.