Heavy fines, penalties for violators
There are heavy penalties and fines for both immigrants and Greeks who violate the immigration code. – Immigrants who enter or leave the country without the proper documentation face at least three months’ imprisonment and a fine of at least 1,500 euros. The penalties double if the immigrant is wanted by the judicial or police authorities or is a repeat offender. – Greeks who employ illegal immigrants face fines of 3,000 to 15,000 euros, in addition to the other penalties provided by law. – Those using immigrants for prostitution face at least two years’ imprisonment and fines of at least 6,000 euros. If the victim is underage, the term is raised to 10 years and the fine to 10,000 to 50,000 euros. – Anyone facilitating the entry or exit of an illegal immigrant faces at least six months’ imprisonment and fines of at least 3,000 euros. – Anyone harboring a illegal immigrant faces six months’ imprisonment and fines of at least 3,000 euros. – Any travel agent or other person who submits applications on behalf of third parties for travel documents and provides false information faces at leat six months’ imprisonment and fines of 6,000 euros. – Ship captains, flight commanders and drivers of all means of transport found bringing illegal immigrants into Greece face at least one year in prison and fines of 5,000 to 20,000 euros for each person found on board. In addition, they also face imprisonment of at least two years and fines of 15,000 to 50,000 for each person if the transport is carried out on a professional basis or if the accused is a civil servant, travel, tourism or shipping agent. Finally, they face imprisonment and a fine of at least 100,000 euros if the abovementioned act entails any danger to any persons involved.
