Greece Expresses Concern: Undocumented Bangladeshis On Rise

A migrant boat on a risky voyage through the Medeterranean.

Special Correspondent

The number of undocumented Bangladeshis in some European countries, especially in Greece, has increased in the last 1-2 years as a nexus of Bangladeshi and international brokers and human traffickers have allured youths to cross the dangerous Mediterranean sea by risking their lives, sources said.

Though Greece recorded less arrivals of migrants and refugees in 2026, the number of Bangladeshis has marked a sharp rise during the last one year, said a diplomat working in Greece.

Though Bangladesh mission in Greece does not do proper documentation migrants and refugees, unofficial sources said that the youths from Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj and Cumilla are talking life—risk to enter Greece and Italy.

According to an estimate, some 25,000 Bangladeshis are documented in Greece while some 20,000 Bangladeshis are undocumented in the EU country.

The political unrest of 2024, shaky law and order and economic slowdown in the country, middle east crisis and tightening USA and Canadian migration policy provoked hundreds of Bangladeshi youths to reach EU countries risking their lives, said a migration specialist.

Meanwhile, Greece recorded 20,428 arrivals, down from 25,427. Deaths on the Eastern Mediterranean route jumped from 284 to 417. Spain saw 16,794 arrivals across the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean routes, down from 22,855. Fatalities there remained high, at 879.

Interceptions continue at scale. Between January and mid-September, 17,067 migrants were intercepted at sea and returned to Libya, according to Libyan Coast Guard figures tracked by IOM.

Nearly 60,000 migrants and refugees arrived on European shores in 2026 by Sept. 15, down nearly 40% compared to the same period last year, the International Organization for Migration said. But nearly 2,300 people died or went missing trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean in 2026, compared to nearly 2,000 in the same period of 2025.

Arrivals to Europe have fallen sharply this year but deaths along the Central Mediterranean routes keep climbing, according to new data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

A Bangladeshi diplomat while talking to this correspondent said that undocumented migrants are put in detention centres and hardly share the information of detained Bangladeshis with authorities.

Diplomatic sources said that Greece has expressed deep concern over the illegal migrants and urged sending countries to have proper and effective measures in this regard.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Greece signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in February 2022, which is expected to end next year. The Bangladesh government is working with the Greek government to extend the MOU with a view to regularising undocumented Bangladeshi migrants, diplomatic sources said.

Under the MOU signed between the two countries, the Greece government has assured Bangladesh of providing job facilities to 4,000 new workers annually.

Greece will give a 5-year temporary work permit for Bangladeshi overseas workers. Under the MoU Greece will give jobs for seasonal workers in the agriculture sector.

After completing the five years tenure, workers will have to return home, but they will be able to go to Greece again for employment, the MoU said.

During the application for Greece employment, candidates will submit valid applications, travel documents, valid work contact papers, certificates of illness of insurance and bear prescribed fee and expenses.

This is Bangladesh's first employment agreement with any European country.

However, according to the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), Bangladesh sent a total of 2,087 workers to Greece during February, 2022—September 19, 2026. This also means that undocumented and unregistered Bangladeshis stood in the way of regular migration to Greece, a migration specialist told this correspondent.

Meanwhile, Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris and Deputy Minister Sevi Voloudaki met Bangladesh's Ambassador to Greece, Nahida Rahman Shumona, in July 2026 to discuss tightening measures against irregular migration while expanding legal labour pathways

According to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum, the two sides discussed combating irregular migration, expanding legal migration opportunities and strengthening procedures for returning Bangladeshi nationals who had entered Greece illegally and did not meet the criteria for international protection.

The discussions demonstrate that the issue is not limited to border enforcement. Both governments are also examining ways to expand legal migration, particularly employment opportunities.

Greece has previously developed arrangements allowing Bangladeshi workers to enter through legal employment programmes. Earlier agreements included seasonal employment opportunities, with Greek authorities seeking workers for sectors of the economy that require additional labour.

Meanwhile, Greece and Bangladesh are strengthening cooperation over irregular migration, returns and legal employment pathways as Greek authorities increase efforts to address undocumented migration. The issue has gained renewed attention following a series of dangerous Mediterranean journeys involving Bangladeshi nationals attempting to reach Greece from Libya.

According to IOM, 24,318 Bangladeshi nationals arrived in Europe by land and sea during 2025, a 59 percent increase from 2024. Italy accounted for 83 percent of those arrivals, while Greece accounted for about 16 percent.

Greece has nevertheless become an increasingly important destination on the Eastern Mediterranean route. Data cited by the European Union Agency for Asylum showed that Bangladeshis were among the significant nationalities arriving by sea in Greece during 2025, with 3,738 Bangladeshi arrivals recorded by UNHCR.

One of the most serious developments occurred in March 2026, when a group of migrants attempted to travel from Libya toward Greece by sea and at least 18 Bangladeshis died during the journey.

Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam described the incident as tragic and said human-trafficking networks responsible for such journeys should face punishment under domestic and international laws.

The tragedy highlighted the risks faced by people who rely on smugglers or traffickers to enter Europe. Families can pay large sums of money while receiving no guarantee of safe travel or legal residence.

The dangers continued later in the year. In August, another boat carrying Bangladeshi migrants left Libya for Greece but drifted across the Mediterranean after running out of fuel. Bangladesh's Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment reported that nine Bangladeshis and one Sudanese national died, while 29 Bangladeshis were rescued after the boat eventually reached Egypt.

 Former Bangladesh Ambassador to Greece Ashud Ahmed in an interview with this correspondent  said that the Bangladesh community in Greece largely contributes to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries by bridging the two cultures and traditions. Besides, they are also contributing to promote bilateral trade, mostly exports from Bangladesh.

“Bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Greece is hovering around $ 200million. We have a target to double the trade volume and have been trying to enhance the trade in many ways for example by participating in different International Fairs in Greece including TIF and introducing our export items to Greek consumers. We are trying to introduce new products like Jute goods, Leather items, plastic items, pharmaceuticals, electronic items etc to diversify our exports to Greece. Our electronic items, jute goods and plastic products have already started occupying the Greek market.”

Bangladesh has deep and long-standing trade relations with the EU and its member states. Besides, the EU is the largest trading and development partner of Bangladesh. So, our relations are expected to continue to grow in the desired direction.

Greek authorities have been tightening their approach toward people who enter the country irregularly and do not qualify for international protection.