Obtaining Greek Citizenship and Passport

Greek citizenship is a legal status that establishes a person’s affiliation with the state and grants them the rights and obligations of a native resident. According to local legislation, applicants must legally reside in the country for 7 years to apply for a Greek passport, although this period is reduced to 3 years for EU citizens, as well as spouses and parents of Greek nationals.

Greek citizenship provides access to an EU passport, allowing its holder to travel, live, and work freely across all European Union countries without visas or additional permits. It also enables simplified entry procedures, such as electronic travel authorizations, for countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and others. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and key aspects of obtaining Greek citizenship.

Migration Legislation of Greece

The main legal acts regulating the acquisition and loss of citizenship in Greece are Law No. 3284 «Greek Citizenship Code» dated November 10, 2004, and Law No. 4151 «Immigration and Social Integration Code» dated April 1, 2014.

According to Article 2 of the Immigration and Social Integration Code, Greece allows individuals to obtain a second citizenship without renouncing their original one. This enables applicants from non-EU countries to retain their original status while acquiring an EU passport. At the same time, each state recognizes the individual only as its own citizen. Since Greece has not signed bilateral agreements with other countries, formal dual citizenship is not established.

Citizens of the Hellenic Republic have the following rights:

• to hold public office;
• to be equal before the law;
• to participate in the socio-economic life of the country;
• to freely practice their religion;
• to receive free education at all levels in public institutions;
• to move to any EU country without visas or residence permits;
• to obtain higher education at public universities;
• to work in accordance with national legislation.

The main obligations of Greek citizens include:

• obtaining at least basic secondary education;
• contributing to the defense of the country when required;
• respecting and complying with the Constitution and laws;
• protecting and improving the environment;
• respecting the rights of others;
• paying taxes in accordance with established rates.

Benefits of a Greek Passport

Obtaining a second EU passport in Greece opens up a wide range of opportunities and advantages for its holder:

• Travel. A Greek passport allows visa-free access to 172 countries worldwide. Travel within EU visa-free countries is not limited in duration.
• Education. Applicants with Greek citizenship can enroll in any European university on equal terms, apply for scholarships, and participate in student exchange programs.
• Business. EU citizenship enables entrepreneurs to run businesses across Europe with simplified company registration procedures and the ability to scale operations across multiple countries. As Greece is part of the European Economic Area (EEA), its citizens can offer goods and services in 30 member states.
• Employment. Greek citizens can work in any EU country without additional permits or the need for diploma recognition procedures.
• Finance. EU citizens have access to various lending programs, mortgages with lower interest rates, and simplified procedures for opening bank accounts.
• Healthcare and social protection. Citizens are entitled to free emergency medical care in public institutions, as well as social benefits and financial support provided under national legislation.

Ways to Obtain Greek Citizenship

Greek citizenship can be obtained by birth, through repatriation, or via naturalization. The latter option is suitable for applicants who do not have close relatives in the country and seek citizenship based on long-term residence. Repatriation, in turn, allows individuals of Greek origin born abroad to obtain a Greek passport.

By Birth and Education

A child is entitled to Greek citizenship if at least one parent is a Greek citizen. Citizenship is also granted to children found within the country whose parents cannot be identified.

Foreign nationals legally residing in Greece and pursuing education may qualify for citizenship in the following cases:

• if they were born in Greece and attend an educational institution;
• if they were born abroad but have successfully completed 9 years of general education or 6 years of secondary education in Greece;
• if they have graduated from a Greek school or university.

Time spent in preschool or unsuccessful academic years is not taken into account. In addition to the standard set of documents, applicants must provide proof of successful completion of studies or school attendance. Birth certificates issued outside Greece must be translated into Greek and apostilled.

If education was completed as a minor, the application for citizenship may be submitted before the age of 21. For adult applicants, secondary education must be completed before the age of 23, and the application must be submitted within the following 3 years.

Applications should be submitted to the regional citizenship office at the place of residence or sent by registered mail. A state fee of 100 EUR is payable via online banking or at ELTA Bank branches. The official processing time is up to 180 days; however, due to a high volume of applications, decisions may take up to 4 years. Online tracking of application status is currently not available.

Repatriation

Greek legislation allows for the restoration of citizenship for expatriates and individuals of Greek origin born abroad. Applicants may reside either outside or within Greece.

According to Articles 10 and 15 of the Citizenship Law, descendants of native Greeks may apply through the consulate responsible for their place of residence or through a regional citizenship office in Greece. The application is typically processed within 12 months, and the state fee is 100 EUR. Minor children of the applicant are also eligible to obtain citizenship together with the main applicant.

Applicants with Greek ancestry who reside in Greece under a special identity document (EDTO) may also apply. Those living in non-EU countries must provide their own birth certificate, proof of Greek ancestry through a direct ascendant, as well as their parents’ marriage certificate and proof of residence. All documents must be translated into Greek and legally certified.

Naturalization

Any foreign national legally residing in Greece may apply for a local passport, regardless of ethnicity or origin. The minimum period of residence required before submitting an application depends on the type of residence permit and the applicant’s category.

Greece offers several types of residence permits with different validity periods and legal grounds. Holders of the following permits must reside in the country for at least 7 years before applying for naturalization:

• long-term residence permit;
• family member card of a Greek or EU citizen;
• 10-year residence permit;
• residence permit for UK citizens;
• temporary protection or refugee status;
• residence permit for property owners;
• residence permit for investment activities.

For the following categories, the minimum required residence period is reduced to 3 years:

• citizens of EU member states;
• spouses of Greek citizens;
• parents of a minor child with Greek citizenship;
• stateless persons.

Time spent in Greece under a temporary residence certificate is not counted toward the required period for naturalization. Foreign nationals residing on other types of permits not listed above must live in the country for at least 12 years before applying for citizenship.

The application fee is 550 EUR. For EU citizens, refugees, and stateless persons, the state fee is reduced to 100 EUR. The cost of reapplying is 200 EUR. The processing time is up to 12 months.

Special Merits and Military Service

According to Article 4 of the Greek Citizenship Code, foreign nationals who have voluntarily enlisted in the armed forces or have been admitted to military academies are eligible to obtain Greek citizenship. In such cases, the military oath replaces the standard oath required during the naturalization process. Minor unmarried children of the applicant are also entitled to acquire citizenship together with the main applicant.

Foreign nationals may also be granted citizenship by presidential decree, upon recommendation of the Minister of the Interior, for exceptional merits or if their naturalization is deemed to be in the national interest. In such cases, the primary requirement for applicants remains a clean criminal record.

Conditions for Obtaining Greek Citizenship

The main requirements for applicants seeking Greek citizenship include:

• Clean criminal record. The applicant must not have been convicted of intentional crimes over the past 10 years that carry a prison sentence of one year or more. Applications are also rejected for individuals sentenced to at least 6 months for drug trafficking, financial crimes, treason, or offenses related to human trafficking and child exploitation.
• Legal residence status. The applicant must reside in Greece legally, holding a valid long-term residence permit and not be subject to deportation.
• Minimum period of residence. The required length of stay depends on the applicant’s category and type of residence permit. Citizenship can only be requested after meeting the minimum residency period.
• Language proficiency. Applicants must demonstrate fluency in the Greek language by passing a naturalization exam. The written test is conducted twice a year.
• Knowledge of history and culture. In addition to language skills, candidates must have knowledge of Greek history, geography, culture, traditions, as well as the Constitution and governmental structure.
• Integration into society. The applicant should be actively involved in the socio-economic life of the country and must not pose a threat to public order or national security.
• Financial stability. Applicants must meet income requirements and fulfill tax and insurance obligations, providing proof of sufficient annual income to ensure a stable standard of living without reliance on social assistance. Depending on the required period of residence, income data must be submitted for the previous years (from 3 to 7 years), with the minimum threshold starting from approximately 7,500 EUR per year for a single applicant as of 2023.

How to Obtain Greek Citizenship: Step-by-Step Procedure

The process of obtaining a Greek passport may take up to a year or longer, depending on the workload of the regional citizenship authority. Naturalization under general conditions after meeting the minimum residence period includes the following stages:

1. Document preparation.
   The applicant must compile a complete set of required documents, including certificates and official statements. Documents issued abroad must be translated into Greek and apostilled. The application form can be downloaded from the official website, printed, and completed.
2. Passing the exam.
   Applicants must pass a test on the Greek language, history, culture, and geography. The written exam is held twice a year and costs 150 EUR. A minimum of 70% correct answers is required to pass. The test includes questions on geography, culture, history, government structure, as well as reading, writing, speaking tasks, and a short essay. A B1 level of Greek is required. Graduates of Greek schools or universities are exempt, while applicants over 62 and individuals with disabilities may take an oral exam instead.
3. Application submission.
   The completed dossier is submitted to the regional citizenship office, where the application is officially registered.
4. Application review.
   Authorities verify compliance with legal requirements, including background checks for criminal records and national security risks. If all conditions are met, the application is recommended for approval and forwarded for final authorization. Applicants may also be invited for an interview. Approved decisions are published in the official government gazette.
5. Oath of allegiance.
   Applicants receive an official invitation to take the oath within one year of the decision. The oath is taken before the competent authority. Minors are exempt from this requirement.
6. Issuance of identity documents.
   After obtaining citizenship, applicants can apply for a Greek ID card and passport at the police department. The ID card is issued free of charge, while a passport valid for 10 years costs 84.4 EUR.

Required Documents for Obtaining Greek Citizenship

The standard set of documents for applying for Greek citizenship includes:

• copies of all pages of a valid passport or other identity document;
• a valid residence permit;
• a recent photograph;
• a birth certificate with official translation into Greek and apostille;
• a naturalization knowledge certificate (P.E.G.P.) or proof of graduation from a Greek school, university, or a doctoral thesis completed in Greek at a local institution;
• a marriage certificate with translation into Greek and apostille (if applicable);
• tax records for the last 3, 5, or 7 years, depending on the applicant’s category;
• a criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country of origin;
• proof of payment of the state fee;
• a social insurance number certificate (SIN);
• proof of financial stability, such as a bank statement, tax and insurance payment records, or other documents confirming sufficient income;
• evidence of social integration, such as marriage to a Greek citizen, certificates of education, participation in professional courses, volunteering, or community activities;
• proof of continuous residence in Greece, such as a rental agreement or utility bills in the applicant’s name.

For repatriation, additional documents confirming Greek origin are required. These may include military records or birth certificates of parents or grandparents indicating Greek nationality.

To obtain citizenship for a child, the following documents must be provided:

• birth certificate;
• parents’ marriage certificate;
• certificate of school or university attendance/completion issued by the institution;
• residence permit of one or both parents;
• proof of continuous residence in the country (e.g., rental agreement);
• a valid passport.

All foreign documents must be submitted with copies, translated into Greek, and legalized with an apostille. The application must include the applicant’s name and surname written in Greek exactly as they should appear in the passport.

Cost of Obtaining Greek Citizenship

It is not legally possible to purchase Greek citizenship or obtain it through direct investment. However, Greece offers a «Golden Visa» program, which allows foreign nationals to obtain a residence permit by purchasing or leasing real estate starting from 250,000 EUR or by investing in securities from 400,000 EUR. After 7 years, the applicant and their family members may apply for citizenship through naturalization. The residence permit application may include a spouse, dependent children under 21, and elderly parents.

The total cost of obtaining Greek citizenship includes the following expenses:

The state fee depends on the applicant’s category: 100 EUR for stateless persons, repatriates, EU citizens, and refugees; 200 EUR for reapplication; and 550 EUR for standard naturalization.

Dual and Second Citizenship

Obtaining a second passport does not require applicants from non-EU countries to renounce their original citizenship, in accordance with current legislation. Dual citizenship refers to formal agreements between countries where both states recognize each other’s citizenship. Since Greece does not have such agreements, individuals may hold a second passport, but each country will recognize them only as its own citizen.

Greek Citizen Passport

The national identity document in Greece is called a police ID card and is issued in the form of an EU-standard plastic card. It is granted to citizens from the age of 12 and allows travel within the European Union without visas. For travel outside the EU, citizens can obtain an international passport from the police department.

Greek citizenship allows visa-free travel to 172 countries worldwide. For entry into countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Sri Lanka, the United States, and South Korea, it is sufficient to complete an online entry authorization form. Greek citizens can travel visa-free across Europe, as well as most countries in North and South America and Oceania.

Refusal to Grant Citizenship

An application for citizenship may be rejected in the following cases:

• submission of false or inaccurate information;
• incomplete set of documents;
• a criminal record;
• insufficient income according to current requirements;
• posing a threat to national or public security;
• failure to attend a scheduled interview.

In case of refusal, the decision may be appealed in an administrative court. Many issues leading to rejection can be avoided by carefully verifying that all documents meet current legal requirements. To increase the chances of approval, applicants should clearly demonstrate their integration into society and provide comprehensive evidence of active social participation throughout their time in Greece.

Reviews of Immigrants and Assistance in Obtaining Citizenship

According to reviews from those who have obtained Greek passports, immigration to the country offers advantages such as a mild climate, convenient geographic location, and EU membership. However, many applicants note the lengthy citizenship process and the requirement to reside in Greece for at least 7 years before applying. At the same time, the «Golden Visa» program provides more flexible conditions for obtaining a residence permit, with relatively lower real estate investment thresholds compared to other EU countries.

When planning relocation, it is essential to carefully study legal requirements, real applicant experiences, and procedural nuances. In such cases, professional guidance can significantly simplify the process. Migration lawyers analyze current legislation, identify potential risks, and help select the most effective strategy for obtaining EU citizenship.