The General Secretariat for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection (GSVPIP) of the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum is the competent authority for the protection of vulnerable groups, including third-country nationals and stateless persons, in Greece, with a particular focus on unaccompanied children and victims of human trafficking and violence. It was established in 2023 by the Presidential Decree 77/2023 (Government Gazette A’ 130/27-06-2023), superseding the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors, which had been established in 2020. The GSVPIP comprises two Directorates: the Directorate for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors and the Directorate for Vulnerable Persons, the latter covering, inter alia, the protection of victims of human trafficking and violence, institutional oversight of safeguards and procedures, and the provision of specialized accommodation and support. In parallel with these two Directorates, the National Emergency Response Mechanism for Unaccompanied Minors (NERM) identifies unaccompanied children living in precarious conditions, as well as other vulnerable persons, and facilitates their access to immediate accommodation, protection and support.
With regard to unaccompanied children in particular, the GSVPIP is responsible for their protection, accommodation, guardianship, social integration and overall well-being, as well as for the coordination and supervision of the relevant protection services and procedures.
The Department of Institutional Protection and Guardianship is responsible for the design, monitoring, evaluation and coordination of the National Guardianship System for Unaccompanied Minors in Greece. While guardians of unaccompanied children are non-profit legal entities specialized in child protection, the Department provides guidance to guardians and supervises the implementation of the guardianship framework and the relevant nationwide guardianship projects. It also coordinates the agencies and services involved in guardianship, with a view to ensuring the effective implementation of guardianship and the protection of children’s rights and best interests.
The National Guardianship System for Unaccompanied Minors was established by Law 4960/2022, adopted on 22 July 2022, and has been operational since 1 January 2024. The functions of guardianship include: (1) representation in all administrative and legal matters and proceedings; (2) custody, including oversight of accommodation, healthcare, education and day-to-day care; and (3) assistance in property-related matters, including support in accessing the labour market and social benefits. Following the entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the relevant national legal framework is set out in Law 5307/2026.
https://migration.gov.gr/en/grammateies/geniki-grammateia-evaloton-politon-kai-thesmikis-prostasias/