Albanians in the Greek informal economy

For the last two decades Greece, which constitutes Europe's most southerly external border, has experienced major changes in its migration patterns and from a country of emigration it has become a country of immigration. This article addresses the issue of Albanian immigration to Greece, underlines its special character and discusses the problems arising from the Greek immigration policy which, so far, has focused on short‐term, inefficient and sometimes conflicting solutions. This article also delineates the current situation of Albanian immigrants, who constitute the largest group amongst all immigrants in Greece and who are largely undocumented. It examines the controversial issue of Albanian criminality, and the social construction of negative stereotypes through prejudicial representations of Albanians by the Greek media. In contrast to the commonly held belief that Greek society is neither xenophobic nor racist, this article argues that in the case of Albanian immigrants both of these phenomena are present and manifested in multiple ways. Such tendencies become particularly clear when considering the exploitation of Albanians by native employers in the Greek informal economy. Finally, this article draws attention to the need for further research at a collective and more systematic level. Future research, as well as future policies, have to take into account the possibility of a more permanent Albanian presence in Greece.