Hundreds of refugees make crossing to Greece despite EU-Turkey deal to send them back

Around 875 refugees made the perilous crossing to Greece in the last 24 hours as the EU's deal with Turkey to send them back comes into effect.

Under the deal, all migrants and refugees who cross to Greece illegally by sea from March 20 will be sent back to Turkey once they are registered and their asylum claims have been processed.

The agreement is expected to take effect from April 4, by which time Greece must have in place a fast-track process for assessing asylum claims.

But the threat of being returned to Turkey is not stopping refugees from crossing the Aegean sea.

A government account put the number of arrivals across Greece in the past 24 hours at 875 people.

Twelve boats had already arrived on shoreline of Lesbos near the airport by 6am local time on Sunday, a police official said.

Refugees arrive on Lesbos after crossing the Aegean Credit: Reuters

Syrian Hussein Ali Muhammad, whose studies were interrupted after the war began, arrived on the island of Lesbos this morning.

He told Reuters he wanted to go to Denmark to continue university. Asked if he was aware of the European decision, he said:

"I know that. I hope to cross these borders. I hope I complete my studies here (in Europe), just this. I don't want money, I just want to complete my studies. This is my message."

A young refugee girl is comforted by her mother after arriving on the Greek island Credit: Reuters

Muhammed, who worked casual jobs in Turkey to pay a smuggler to bring him across, said he did not want to return.

He said: "I worked very, very hard in Turkey, I collected the money to come here ... It's very dangerous and not good."

Computer engineer Mohammed from Daraa in Syria was another arrival.

The 30-year-old said he hoped to stay in Greece until he found a way to be reunited with his wife and son in Germany.

"I know the decision. I hope to (meet with) my wife and children," he said.

The EU has pledged to help Greece set up a task force of some 4,000 staff, including judges, interpreters, border guards and others to manage each case individually.

In return, the EU will take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward it with more money, early visa-free travel and progress in its EU membership negotiations.