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Greece

Greece, with its capital Athens, is in southeastern Europe. As an EU border country, it has seen an increase in migration. In June 2023, Greeks headed to the polls in the second parliamentary election in as many months.

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All Content on this topic

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender lay a wreath at the Memorial to the Executed of Kandanos in Greece, 31 October 2024.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender lay a wreath at the Memorial to the Executed of Kandanos in Greece, 31 October 2024.

Germany seeks forgiveness for Nazi crimes in Greece

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited a Greek village razed by Nazi troops during World War II.

Residents watch flames rising from a wildfire burns next to the village of Kallithea, near Corinth, Greece

Residents watch flames rising from a wildfire burns next to the village of Kallithea, near Corinth, Greece

Greece: Wildfires near Corinth kill 2 people

A wildfire fanned by strong winds tore across a rugged mountainous area in the Corinth region of central Greece.

Jewish life in Thessaloniki, Greece

Jewish life in Thessaloniki, Greece

Greece: How the Jewish cemetery in Thessaloniki disappeared

The Jewish cemetery in Thessaloniki was once one of the largest in the world. Remnants are now dotted around the city.

A border guard in a yellow safety vest with the German word for 'police' on the back uses a traffic paddle to indicate to the driver of a black car to stop at the Walserberg border crossing between Germany and Austria

A border guard in a yellow safety vest with the German word for 'police' on the back uses a traffic paddle to indicate to the driver of a black car to stop at the Walserberg border crossing between Germany and Austria

Concern in Greece about German border checks

Athens is worried that Germany's reintroduction of border checks could have a knock-on effect across Europe.

Rescued migrants are seen onboard a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel, following a SAR operation, at the port of Karlovasi, on the island of Samos, Greece

Rescued migrants are seen onboard a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel, following a SAR operation, at the port of Karlovasi, on the island of Samos, Greece

At least 4 die as migrant ship sinks off Greek island

A small boat carrying migrants sank in the Aegean Sea off the Greek island of Samos, killing at least four people.

Two people kissing, seen in silhouette, in front of a rainbow flag

Two people kissing, seen in silhouette, in front of a rainbow flag

Rainbow tourism: How Greece embraces LGBTQ+ vacationers

Greece is very welcoming towards queer tourists and hopes to attract even more LGBTQ+ holidaymakers going forward.

A crowd of people dressed in summer clothes stand outside whitewashed buildings watching and photographing the sunset, Oia, Santorini, Greece, August 17, 2024

A crowd of people dressed in summer clothes stand outside whitewashed buildings watching and photographing the sunset, Oia, Santorini, Greece, August 17, 2024

Greek island of Santorini is overrun by cruise ship tourists

Hordes of cruise ship tourists are overwhelming Santorini. Many feel that visitor numbers are out of control.

A woman with sunglasses and a big smile is standing on a boat, which is headed towards a Greek island.

A woman with sunglasses and a big smile is standing on a boat, which is headed towards a Greek island.

Island-hopping in the Greek Aegean Sea

The Greek islands of Rhodes, Symi and Kalymnos offer ancient history, hidden beaches and stunning nature.

Tourists disembark a ferry on the island of Naxos

Tourists disembark a ferry on the island of Naxos

Greece's water shortages spare tourists, leave farmers dry

Greek islands like Naxos are facing water shortages. Desalination plants can help tourists, but not local farmers.

The national sides of the Greek one- and two-euro coins. The two-euro coin on the left shows the abduction of Europa by Zeus in the form of a bull; the one-euro coin on the right features the image of an owl

The national sides of the Greek one- and two-euro coins. The two-euro coin on the left shows the abduction of Europa by Zeus in the form of a bull; the one-euro coin on the right features the image of an owl

Greece and Germany: From anger to economic potential

Germany is the official guest at the Thessaloniki International Fair, a major change from tense ties a few years ago.

Sun umbrellas and lounge chairs on a beach in Greece, seen near the water's edge from above

Sun umbrellas and lounge chairs on a beach in Greece, seen near the water's edge from above

How a Greek innovation helps wheelchair users enjoy the sea

A Greek innovation called Seatrac helps beachgoers with limited mobility go for a dip in the ocean.

Two men on mopeds look at a carpet of dead fish that have washed up along the waterfront, Volos, Greece, August 28, 2024

Two men on mopeds look at a carpet of dead fish that have washed up along the waterfront, Volos, Greece, August 28, 2024

Mass fish die-off in Greece: The search for answers begins

With the recent mass fish die-off near Volos, Greece is facing yet another environmental disaster. Who is responsible?

A bulldozer collects dead fish from a river near the port city of Volos, central Greece, on August 29, 2024

A bulldozer collects dead fish from a river near the port city of Volos, central Greece, on August 29, 2024

Greece declares state of emergency over flood of dead fish

The port city of Volos has been inundated with tons of dead fish, one of the impacts of last year's catastrophic floods.

A gray-haired man looks into a well

A gray-haired man looks into a well

Greek islands fighting water shortages with desalination

Greek islands like Naxos are facing water shortages. While desalination plants help, they are only part of the solution.

The dark silhouettes of firefighters wearing breathing masks illuminated by a massive forest fire

The dark silhouettes of firefighters wearing breathing masks illuminated by a massive forest fire

Wildfires in Greece: Blazes in front of the gates of Athens

Amid government inertia, fires in Greece have destroyed forests, emptied towns, and claimed at least one life so far.

People stand on roofs looking into the smoke-filled sky.

People stand on roofs looking into the smoke-filled sky.

Greece's wildfires claim first fatality

Wildfires in the northeastern of the capital, Athens, have claimed their first fatality as Greece asks the EU for help.

Burned cars are pictured outside a damaged factory following a wildfire in the Penteli area near Athens

Burned cars are pictured outside a damaged factory following a wildfire in the Penteli area near Athens

Greece: 1 dead as wildfires bear down on Athens

At least one person has been killed and dozens injured as smoke and power outages plague the Greek capital.

A firefighting helicopter drops water at a resurgence

A firefighting helicopter drops water at a resurgence

EU to send help to Greece as wildfires threaten Athens

Several EU countries are sending reinforcements to Greek authorities to help combat wildfires encroaching on Athens.

People flee a wildfire in Greece

People flee a wildfire in Greece

Greece: Athens suburbs evacuated as wildfires spread

Hundreds of firefighters were dispatched north of the capital as smoke could be seen drifting over Athens.

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Dionysos, Greece

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning in Dionysos, Greece

Greece: Wildfire rages 'out of control' near Athens

In Greece, firefighters and armed forces are battling a major wildfire spreading on the outskirts of Athens.

A firefighter monitors the flames while defending a mobile home during the Park Fire in California

A firefighter monitors the flames while defending a mobile home during the Park Fire in California

How do we fight wildfires as temperatures rise?

As wildfires again burn out of control, strategies to limit climate-fueled infernos include fighting fire with fire.

A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Varnava, near Athens, Greece, on August 11, 2024

A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Varnava, near Athens, Greece, on August 11, 2024

Half of Greece on red alert as wildfires rage near Athens

More than 40 blazes have broken out across Greece, including several close to the capital, Athens.

Fokus Europa Griechenland Strandliegen

Fokus Europa Griechenland Strandliegen

Focus on Europe - Spotlight on People

Greece's beaches generate a lot of business during high season—leaving hardly any space for locals.

Ayham and his sister Lin sit at a school desk at the Schisto refugee camp in Greece

Ayham and his sister Lin sit at a school desk at the Schisto refugee camp in Greece

Life for Syrian siblings in a Greek refugee camp near Athens

Ayham and Lin have been living at the Schisto refugee camp for eight months, dreaming of a home of their own.

A black-and-white photo showing tanks parked outside parliament in Athens, two days after the coup d'etat on April 21, 1967. Apart from some parked cars, two men in uniform and a few civilians, the street is completely empty

A black-and-white photo showing tanks parked outside parliament in Athens, two days after the coup d'etat on April 21, 1967. Apart from some parked cars, two men in uniform and a few civilians, the street is completely empty

Greece celebrates 50 years since restoration of democracy

On July 24, 1974, the military dictatorship that had ruled Greece for seven years collapsed and democracy was restored.

President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides is unveiling a monument for soldiers killed during the 1974 war in Nicosia, Cyprus, on July 20, 2024.

President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides is unveiling a monument for soldiers killed during the 1974 war in Nicosia, Cyprus, on July 20, 2024.

Divided Cyprus marks 50th anniversary of Turkish invasion

Greek Cypriots mourned the anniversary of Turkey's partial invasion of the island following a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Greek Cypriot mothers and wifes, clad in black for 29 years, still mourning and still not knowing the destiny of their loved ones, commence a hunger strike at the Ledra Palace checkpoint on Sunday, 20 July 2003.

Greek Cypriot mothers and wifes, clad in black for 29 years, still mourning and still not knowing the destiny of their loved ones, commence a hunger strike at the Ledra Palace checkpoint on Sunday, 20 July 2003.

Mediterranean island of Cyprus marks 1974 Turkish invasion

Fifty years after Turkey's invasion, Cyprus's divisive history remains viewed differently by Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

A tourist uses a map to cover her head from the sun as she waits with others to take a ticket for the Acropolis hill during a hot, windy day in Athens, Greece

A tourist uses a map to cover her head from the sun as she waits with others to take a ticket for the Acropolis hill during a hot, windy day in Athens, Greece

Europe: Scorching heatwave bakes Greece, Balkan region

Greece, Italy Serbia are among countries grappling with an intense heat wave that has swept southern Europe.

Fredi Beleri

Fredi Beleri

Albania: Jailed Greek mayor to take up seat in EU parliament

An ethnic Greek mayor of an Albanian town who is serving a jail sentence has temporarily left prison to become an MEP..

Migrants on a ship off the Libyan coast

Migrants on a ship off the Libyan coast

Turkey: Raft crash on Aegean coast kills at least 7 migrants

Smugglers frequently risk lives trying to get migrants from Turkey to Greece.

A closeup of welder in a blue helmet working on a ship with sparks flying around him

A closeup of welder in a blue helmet working on a ship with sparks flying around him

Can Greece's new six-day workweek be a model for others?

Greece is adopting a six-day workweek, while many other countries are experimenting with shorter office hours.

A hiker seen from behind, walking along a mountainous trail offering no shade

A hiker seen from behind, walking along a mountainous trail offering no shade

Heat wave in Greece claims more tourist lives

This June is set to be the hottest ever recorded in Greece. Authorities are warning tourists to take precautions.

Schisto refugee camp near Athens: Ayham Albahsh, 11, has been living here for seven months with his younger sister Lin, 8, and his parents

Schisto refugee camp near Athens: Ayham Albahsh, 11, has been living here for seven months with his younger sister Lin, 8, and his parents

Growing up in a Greek refugee camp

How do children learn about the concept of home when their lives are in limbo? DW reports from the Schisto refugee camp.

An early evening view of boats and yachts anchored at the Greek island of Hydra

An early evening view of boats and yachts anchored at the Greek island of Hydra

Greece: 13 arrested after yacht fireworks spark wildfire

The blaze burnt the only pine forest on the island of Hydra.

A man stands on a red-tiled roof. In the background is the Greek village of Horio on the island of Symi and the sea

A man stands on a red-tiled roof. In the background is the Greek village of Horio on the island of Symi and the sea

Greece introduces the six-day work week

A lack of skilled workers is causing massive problems in Greece. The government's solution: longer working hours

A person holds two passports: on the left, a new passport from the Republic of North Macedonia; on the right, an older passport bearing the country's old name, Republic of Macedonia

A person holds two passports: on the left, a new passport from the Republic of North Macedonia; on the right, an older passport bearing the country's old name, Republic of Macedonia

Passport delays wreak havoc in North Macedonia

As North Macedonia struggles to issue passports in time, people are missing out on opportunities abroad.

A Greek coastguard boat is seen at sea

A Greek coastguard boat is seen at sea

Which EU countries are accused of pushing back migrants?

Here's an overview of the EU countries facing claims of carrying out illegal pushback operations against migrants.

Members of the Hellenic Red Cross hand over bottles of water to tourists who line up to visit the Acropolis hill

Members of the Hellenic Red Cross hand over bottles of water to tourists who line up to visit the Acropolis hill

US tourist found dead in Greece, 3 more missing

It is the latest in a number of cases in which tourists on the Greek islands have died or gone missing.

A tourist uses a hand fan to cool down another one sitting on a bench in front of the Parthenon at the ancient Acropolis, in Athens

A tourist uses a hand fan to cool down another one sitting on a bench in front of the Parthenon at the ancient Acropolis, in Athens

Dutch tourist missing in Greece found dead

Four more tourists are still missing as Greece records unusually high temperatures.

Tourists with an umbrella walk in front of the Parthenon at the ancient Acropolis in central Athens, Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Tourists with an umbrella walk in front of the Parthenon at the ancient Acropolis in central Athens, Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

Greece: Heat forces Acropolis closure for 2nd straight day

The UNESCO-listed site, situated atop a hill with no shade available, was closed from noon until 5 p.m. local time.

A boy jumps from a staircase into the Bosporus

A boy jumps from a staircase into the Bosporus

Greece, Turkey feeling the heat as temperatures soar

It's getting hot in Southern Europe, leading to school closures and fears of potential forest fires.

The Greek island of Symi

The Greek island of Symi

Michael Mosley: TV presenter's body found on Greek island

A dead body presumed to be that of British TV presenter Michael Mosley has been found on the Greek island of Symi.

A closeup of Michael Mosley in 2019

A closeup of Michael Mosley in 2019

Michael Mosley: Greek police search for missing TV doctor

The 67-year old doctor and TV personality was reported missing on the Greek island of Symi.

Ethnic Greek Albanian politician Fredi Beleri sits at a table on a terrace

Ethnic Greek Albanian politician Fredi Beleri sits at a table on a terrace

Jailed ethnic Greek Albanian seeks to become Greek MEP

Greece's ruling party has put a jailed mayor-elect from Albania's Greek minority on its list for the EU elections.

Survivors of a shipwreck sit inside a warehouse at the port in Kalamata town, on June 15, 2023.

Survivors of a shipwreck sit inside a warehouse at the port in Kalamata town, on June 15, 2023.

Greece: Trial on Mediterranean migrant shipwreck dismissed

Nine Egyptian men face trial after the shipwreck of a fishing trawler in June 2023 left hundreds of migrants dead.

North Macedonia's new President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova is seen in stage at her inauguration

North Macedonia's new President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova is seen in stage at her inauguration

North Macedonia name dispute reignites spat with Greece

North Macedonia's new president Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova has reignited a decades-old spat with Greece.

The Olympic Flame is seen in a cauldron as a woman in traditional Greek costume stands in front of an Olympic flag

The Olympic Flame is seen in a cauldron as a woman in traditional Greek costume stands in front of an Olympic flag

Olympic flame arrives in France's Marseille by ship

A ship bearing the flame has arrived in Marseille, with the Olympic symbol set to be carried Paris in a relay.

A crowd of people, some of whom are holding Macedonian flags

A crowd of people, some of whom are holding Macedonian flags

North Macedonia: Frustrated voters set to punish government

On May 8, 1.8 million voters in North Macedonia will determine the future path of the Balkan country.

A man wearing a suit, tie and glasses (far-right Golden Dawn founder and leader Nikos Michaloliakos) sits behind a microphone during a 2018 press conference

A man wearing a suit, tie and glasses (far-right Golden Dawn founder and leader Nikos Michaloliakos) sits behind a microphone during a 2018 press conference

Greece: Neo-Nazi Golden Dawn leader released from jail

Nikos Michaloliakos, founder of the far-right party, was serving a 13-year term for running a criminal organization.

Griechenland Hooligans Fußballfans

Griechenland Hooligans Fußballfans

Greece: The Hellas Hooligans

Violence among Greek soccer fans is leading to more matches with empty stadiums.