This research delves into the City of Athens’s approach to migrant policies, focusing on its un(der)documented migrant populations. The study argues that Athens follows a ‘Pragmatic Guest-resident’ paradigm characterised by projectisation and multi-actor ‘government’. This paradigm is the result of Greece’s historical context and centralised governance model, coupled with the city’s distinct agency influenced by political considerations and pragmatic responses. The research contributes to the academic literature, offering a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing migration governance and policy in Athens. It contends that local-level policies are intricately tied to the unique context of each city, involving various levels and actors. Additionally, the study refines Michael Alexander’s (2007) local-level migrant models by introducing the ‘guest-resident’ concept, expanding the ‘guestworker’ paradigm beyond labour migration. The findings further offer actionable suggestions for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers aiming to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of local migrant policies.