India, Sept. 30 -- Thousands of unaccompanied children in Greece face an uncertain transition into adulthood as housing, education and legal protections can abruptly change when they turn 18, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned.
Most children nearing adulthood
As of July 2026, Greece had 1,544 unaccompanied children living in accommodation facilities, with more than 74% aged between 15 and 17. The IRC said many are therefore approaching a point when child protection services may end, potentially leaving them without stable accommodation or other support.
More than two in five first-instance asylum decisions involving unaccompanied children were rejected in 2024.
In 2025, 3,502 unaccompanied children applied for asylum, wh...