Greece has been given two weeks to clarify how it plans to regain control of its borders or it risks being suspended from Europe's Schengen zone.

The country, which introduced temporary border control last year in a bid to stem the influx of migrants, has been told it must get a plan in place before April 26.

The EU has criticised the country over its registration system, which is meant to fingerprint the hundreds and thousands of migrants who have arrived there from Turkey.

Greece has been given two weeks to clarify how it plans to regain control of its borders or it risks being suspended from Europe's Schengen zone. Above, migrants disembark from a boat on the Greek island of Lesbos

It also said more action is needed before emergency controls inside the free-travel zone can be lifted.

Athens must now clearly state which officials are involved in implementing the plan and also show it will properly use EU funds earmarked for the migrant control measures, officials said.

A statement added: 'The Commission requests that Greece provide the additional elements and clarifications by 26 April and offers its continuous support to Greece.'

It did, however, acknowledge Athens had made 'significant progress' in implementing other elements of the action plan.

Migrants are pictured arriving by boat from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos. Greece has been told it must get a plan in place before April 26

Migrants disembark from a Turkish coastguard boat after a failed attempt at crossing to the Greek island of Lesbos last week. If Greece fails to remedy the problems by May 12, Brussels could authorise other member states to exceptionally extend border controls in the EU's cherished Schengen area for up to two years, instead of the normal six months

If Greece fails to remedy the problems by May 12, Brussels could authorise other member states to exceptionally extend border controls in the EU's cherished Schengen area for up to two years, instead of the normal six months.

Such a scenario is outlined under article 26 of the Schengen border code and would in effect suspend Greece's participation in the pact.

Germany, which also introduced border controls late last year to slow the migrant influx, has extended its measures until May, taking them to the limit under current Schengen provisions.