Postwar Greece provides an excellent case study in international migration research: few countries have been affected by such a variety and intensity of migratory phenomena. This paper offers a review and evaluation of the Greek experience of international migration. Such a synthetic and comprehensive overview has particular utility given the lack of published research on recent Greek migration trends. The analysis is based partly on available published data, and partly on qualitative appraisals. Three major international migration phases are analysed–emigration, return migration and immigration–and the main socio‐economic and cultural effects of these migration trends are discussed. The paper pays particular attention to the recent mass immigration movements, noting their heterogeneity (Albanians, Poles, Egyptians, Filipinos, etc.) and describing their impact on the Greek labour market. The article concludes with some comments on the difficulties of formulating a Greek migration policy in the light of the country's location, open borders and internationalized economy.