Mayor: Yiannis Moralis
The Municipality of Piraeus is the metropolitan Municipality of the wider region of Piraeus and the largest port in the country.
Piraeus has a very long history of receiving, hosting, and integrating refugees, following the Greek war of Independence, and later the Asia Minor Catastrophe.
The refugees who arrived in the wider area of Piraeus played an important role in the development of the city and in the development of a culture of tolerance for diversity and of continuous integration.
At the same time, the existence of the port as an international gateway to the country, the involvement of many city dwellers in the maritime profession, and the arrival of economic migrants, are factors that contributed to the familiarisation of local residents with multiculturalism.
As a result, the city of Piraeus responded very effectively to the refugee crisis of 2016, both in terms of administrative efficiency and readiness of the local community. The city efficiently managed the shock caused by the arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees in the port of Piraeus. and later dealt with the effects of the closure of the Western Balkan Corridor that led to the confinement of a large number of people for a long period of time.
Overall, the commitment of the local community of Piraeus to the values of solidarity and humanity – values which constitute the cornerstone of the Municipality and its services – has contributed to the integration of refugees and migrants in the local community and to social peace and cohesion.
The Municipality of Piraeus is one of the pioneers in dealing with the challenges related to the integration of refugees and migrants.
For several years now, through the Migrant Integration Council, the social services of the Municipality, and through targeted plans and actions, the municipality has provided support to the families of migrants and refugees and especially to the children living in Piraeus.
We will continue and strengthen our work towards this direction, with unity and sensitivity, while distancing ourselves from divisive and extreme approaches.
Yiannis Moralis, Mayor of Piraeus
General Population
168,151
*ELSTAT (2021 Census)
The Migrant Integration Center operates under the Community Centers scheme, and aims to support asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection during their integration into the state welfare system. The Migrant Integration Centre also offers services which enhance social inclusion (Greek language courses, etc.).
MORE (Greek)The Migrant Integration Council operates with the participation of all municipal parties as well as with the participation of IOM and the Greek Forum of Refugees and the Greek Forum of Migrants as well as of migrant groups. Through the operation of SEM, the full and equal participation and access of all foreign residents is sought. In addition SEM operates as an umbrella and supervisory mechanism for all the actions of the Municipality and other initiatives concerning migrants and refugees living in the city.
The Open School for Migrants Piraeus aims to provide educational support and cultural development to refugees and migrants living in the city.
MOREThe Social Innovation Piraeus operates within the framework of the Intermediate Management Body of Piraeus (OXE), by the Public Benefit Municipal Enterprise of the Municipality (KODEP) with the aim of actively supporting vulnerable groups and citizens in need, improving social inclusion and combating poverty and social discrimination.
MOREIn the context of dealing with homelessness, the Municipality runs a Homeless Shelter and a Homeless Dormitory as well as the “Home and Work” Programme. In line with the principle of non-discrimination followed by the Municipality, migrants have equal access to all the abovementioned services.
The Child & Family Support Center of Piraeus – SOS Children’s Villages in collaboration with the Municipality of Piraeus seeks to cover the needs of the wider area of Piraeus for families in crisis.
MOREThe meals of the Holy Metropolis of Piraeus operate in order to provide the necessary food for residents of Piraeus who are in a precarious situation with regards to food provision.
There are two accommodation centers for unaccompanied minors run by the NGOs “Social Ekav” and “Zeuxis”. The Municipality and the Migrant Integration Council (SEM) assist with the everyday needs and take care of the basic medical needs. In addition, informal accommodation is provided in a city hotel.
