Why Greeks Perceive Refugee Flows as a Security Threat

Since 2013, Greece, along with the rest of Europe, has experienced a rapid increase in refugee flows. The sudden influx of refugees has had a negative impact on the perception of Greek society regarding their potential threat. According to a 2016 survey, 55 percent of Greeks believe that the influx of refugee flows can increase the likelihood of terrorist attacks. Furthermore, 65 percent of Greeks have a negative review of Muslims. Because Greece has not been the victim of Muslim terrorist attacks and historically has had strong ties with the Arab world, these perceptions represent a puzzle. Adopting a qualitative methodological approach, this essay analyzes the causes of negative Greek attitudes toward refugees. It finds that the negative perceptions among Greek society stem from two factors: the perceived negative economic impact and the perceived cultural impact of refugees.