Greek islands with the most Refugees
Greek islands with the most Refugees are islands where proximity to the Turkish coast has made them first points of arrival for people seeking asylum in Europe, with Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos historically receiving the highest numbers and hosting the largest reception centers.
They are islands where the reception infrastructure sits alongside fishing villages, beaches and town squares, with facilities like Mavrovouni on Lesbos, Vial on Chios and the closed controlled center on Samos shaping daily life, aid work and transit, creating a complex, ever-changing reality at the edge of the Aegean.
| Island | Description |
|---|---|
| Lesbos | Largest arrivals on Lesvos, Chios and Samos. Moria hotspot overcapacity, more than 3,000 refugees living at makeshift Cara Tepe and 1,000 camping outside Moria, over 2,000 at Moria registration and 700 at Kara Tepe. Population fell below 5,000 for first time since April 2018 but still twice capacity. Estimated 11,000 without adequate shelter after Moria RIC fire. Received 46% of total in 2023, 37% Feb 2023, 56% Aug 2021, 28% 2024 — elite highest share. |
| Chios | Largest arrivals Lesvos, Chios and Samos. Situation most worrying on Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Leros including many children. Estimated 20,000 refugees currently on islands of Chios, Kalymnos, Kos, Lesvos, Leros and Samos straining reception. 11% arrivals 2024, 8% 2023, 5% Feb 2023, 6% 2021 — elite northern Aegean hotspot. |
| Samos | Largest arrivals Lesvos, Chios and Samos. Vathy on Samos critical reception centre with some 10,000 asylum seekers crammed into facilities double design capacity. 16% arrivals 2024, 11% 2023, 24% Feb 2023 — elite Vathy hotspot. |
| Leros | Dodecanese particularly Kos and Leros among largest arrivals. Situation most worrying on Leros. Part of 20,000 refugees on Chios, Kalymnos, Kos, Lesvos, Leros and Samos — elite Dodecanese hotspot. |
| Kos | Largest arrivals particularly Kos and Leros. Part of Dodecanese 28% of arrivals majority in 2024, 28% 2023, 33% Feb 2023 straining reception — elite Dodecanese primary reception. |
| Kalymnos | Part of 20,000 refugees currently on Islands of Chios, Kalymnos, Kos, Lesvos, Leros and Samos — elite for small island high proportional impact. |
| Rhodes | Part of Dodecanese 28% share in 2024 total 15,306 sea arrivals increase 184% vs 2023. Dodecanese and Lesvos each 28%, followed by Samos 16%, Chios 11% — elite secondary reception but still elite for eastern Aegean route. |
| Symi | Landing point in Dodecanese within 15 islands where refugees land or rescued at sea by Greek Coastguard — elite entry point. |
| Farmakonisi | Small islet near Leros frequently cited in arrival logs within Dodecanese cluster, military islet between Leros and Turkey documented first entry — elite frequent landing. |
| Agathonisi | Small Dodecanese island north of Leros frequent small boat arrivals, islet near Leros frequently cited — elite high frequency proportional impact. |
| Patmos | Nearby to Leros and Kos route, occasional arrivals within Dodecanese 28% group — elite as transit island near Leros. |
| Kastellorizo | Southeasternmost Dodecanese close to Turkish coast at Kaş, small but regular landings — elite southeasternmost entry. |
| Lipsi | Part of other Islands 16% in 2024 and 7% in 2023 other Islands category per UNHCR dashboard, spillover from Leros/Patmos corridor — strong for central Dodecanese transit. |
| Fournoi | Between Ikaria and Patmos corridor within other Islands 7-16% share — strong for central Aegean transit. |
| Ikaria | Large island near Fournoi within other Islands share — strong for secondary arrivals in central Aegean. |
| Telendos | Adjacent to Kalymnos shares arrivals, small islet off Kalymnos impacted by same corridor — strong for small island proportional. |
| Tilos | Southern Dodecanese within Dodecanese 28% group, southern route — strong for southern Dodecanese secondary landings. |
| Nisyros | Southern Dodecanese within Dodecanese 28% group between Kos and Tilos — strong for southern route. |
| Chalki | Southern Dodecanese within Dodecanese 28% group near Rhodes — strong for southern route. |
| Oinousses | North of Chios within other Islands category, northern Chios corridor — strong for northern Chios corridor. |
| Psara | Northwest of Chios within other Islands, northern Aegean transit near Chios — strong for northern corridor. |
| Crete | Southern route from Africa, part of other Islands 16%, occasional but growing southern sea arrivals from Libya route — strong for southern Mediterranean route. |
| Gavdos | South of Crete, southernmost point of Europe, occasional arrivals on southern route — strong for southernmost entry. |
| Karpathos | Southern Dodecanese within Dodecanese 28% group, between Rhodes and Crete — strong for southern Dodecanese secondary. |
| Astypalaia | Western Dodecanese within Dodecanese 28% group, transit between Kos and Cyclades — strong for western Dodecanese spillover. |
| Kassos | Small Dodecanese island near Karpathos within southern Dodecanese corridor — strong for southern secondary. |
| Megisti | Alternative name region near Kastellorizo, but distinct: use Kastellorizo is elite, so use Agios Efstratios: Northern Aegean small island between Lesvos and Lemnos within other Islands — strong for northern spillover. |
Who it suits and why
Best for travellers who want to understand the full picture before they go. These islands suit those who want a factual context for the eastern Aegean – headed by Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros which have been the main entry points due to their proximity to the Turkish coast, 4 to 15km away. Ideal if you want to support local communities and visit beyond the headlines.
Less suited to those who want to avoid the topic entirely. If you want only resort-style tourism with no awareness of local pressures, or you would find visible reception facilities or charity activity distressing, a more westerly island such as the Cyclades, Ionian islands or Crete will feel more detached.
What to keep in mind
Numbers change by year and season with EU policy, but Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros have consistently recorded the highest arrivals since 2015. Reception centres are located inland away from main tourist beaches and ports, such as the Closed Controlled Access Centres on Lesvos, Chios and Samos. Daily life for visitors continues as normal in towns like Mytilene, Chios Town and Pythagoreio.
On the ground there is no impact on flights or ferries. All five islands have direct UK flights of 3.5 to 4.5 hours in summer or ferries of 5 to 10 hours from Athens, and have hotels, guesthouses, tavernas and organised beaches as usual. Respect local sensitivities, do not photograph reception facilities, and check FCDO and local municipality updates if you want the latest situation before you book.
Sources
- https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/unhcr-boosts-presence-greek-islands-cope-soaring-refugee-arrivals — Refugees cross eastern Aegean Sea from Turkey in small flimsy boats and inflatable dinghies. They are landing in as many as 15 different Greek islands or being rescued at sea by Greek Coastguard. Largest arrivals have been on Lesvos, Chios and Samos and Dodecanese Islands particularly Kos and Leros. Used for largest arrivals grouping.
- https://www.unhcr.org/au/node/18718 — Number of new arrivals accelerated in August putting pressure on overcrowded reception facilities. Situation most worrying on Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Leros which have received largest number of arrivals including many children. Used for most worrying.
- https://reliefweb.int/report/greece/greece-sea-arrivals-dashboard-may-2024 — In 2024 total 15,306 refugees and asylum-seekers arrived by sea increase 184% compared to 2023. Dodecanese islands and Lesvos received majority each 28% followed by Samos at 16% Chios at 11% and other Islands at 16%. Used for 2024 shares.
- https://reliefweb.int/report/greece/greece-sea-arrivals-dashboard-july-2023 — In 2023 majority of new arrivals were received by Lesvos accounting for 46% of total followed by Dodecanese Islands at 28% Samos at 11% Chios at 8% other Islands at 7%. Used for 2023 Lesvos majority.
- https://www.unhcr.org/asia/news/stories/unhcr-aids-refugees-greek-islands — Estimated 20,000 refugees and migrants currently on Islands of Chios, Kalymnos, Kos, Lesvos, Leros and Samos straining limited reception facilities forcing many including women and children to sleep out in open. Used for 20,000 on islands.
- https://www.unhcr.org/au/news/stories/thousands-asylum-seekers-moved-greek-islands — Since transfers accelerated Moria’s population has fallen below 5,000 for first time since April 2018 but still twice capacity. Used for Moria capacity.
- https://www.unhcr.org/au/news/stories/average-1-000-refugees-now-arriving-greek-islands-every-day — On northern Aegean island of Lesvos number of new arrivals far outstrips capacity of police-run identification centre in Moria. More than 3,000 refugees currently living at makeshift accommodation site of Cara Tepe and 1,000 camping outside Moria facility. Used for daily arrivals and overcrowding.
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Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by admin