The first data from the implementation of the new institutional framework for establishing the minors of asylum seekers, which has been implemented since the end of August by a joint ministerial decision of the Ministries of Immigration and Asylum and Health, are revealing.

According to preliminary information, over 60% of migrants who declared themselves minors were eventually found to be adults, which highlights the extent of the phenomenon of false declarations to obtain benefits from the state.

The new protocol, signed on August 22 by Immigration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris, Deputy Minister Sevi Voloudaki and Health Minister Adonis Georgiades, provides for a defined medical procedure for cases where the relevant services express doubts about the age of the applicant. The framework outlines a series of tests – from dental and radiological assessment to bone maturity evaluation – and is only applied when there are indications that the declared age is not reliable.

Based on the initial data reportedly examined by the Secretary General of Migration Policy, Dimitris Glymis, in the 104 cases that had been identified as “suspicious” by the directors of asylum structures and services, it was found that:

– 59 persons were adults,

– 10 were actually minors,

– 35 cases are under investigation.

In addition, a significant number of migrants refused to submit to the examinations, so, under the legal framework, they were automatically classified as adults.

The finding sheds light on a well-known practice that has been documented in recent years: many migrants, particularly men aged 18-35, declared themselves minors to avoid administrative detention and enter protection, accommodation and preferential asylum procedures. Minority status provides a different legal status, especially in terms of housing, freedom of movement and access to services. Therefore, the possibility of abusing the system would undermine the asylum process and the protection of genuine unaccompanied minors.

The determination is made once and on the same day, using a combination of three methods:

– Medical evaluation of physical development.
– Psychosocial assessment by a specialist.
– X-ray of the left wrist/hand to determine bone age.

According to ministry officials, the aim is not punitive, but to impose transparency and protect the asylum system itself. “When adults pose as minors, the result is to deny places, structures and care to children who really need protection,” they stress.