Our Expertise
Greek Citizenship Lawyer
Greek citizenship is granted based on ius sanguinis: according to Article 1 of the Greek Nationality Code, the child of a Greek citizen obtains Greek citizenship at birth.
Therefore, if an ancestor was of Greek descent, you may be entitled to apply for and obtain Greek nationality, provided you can prove to the Greek authorities the sequence of your Greek ancestry.
Greek Citizenship by Descent: How to Apply
The first step for those who wish to apply for Greek nationality by descent is to locate the documentation relating to their Greek ancestor at the competent Greek Municipality and obtain the ancestor’s birth certificate.
You then proceed to obtain all the documents relating to the ancestor’s family status and, at the same time, produce all the documents relating to the family status of the applicant and his parents. The documents produced must then be filed with the Special Registry in Athens. If some of the required documents are registered abroad, they must be legalized or authenticated by the competent Greek consulate.
An application for nationality is filed with the competent authority, the Municipality where the ancestor is registered, attaching all the required original documents.
The competent office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs examines the application, which will eventually approve the submitted application and issue a decision recognizing the applicant’s Greek nationality.
Once the procedure is completed, the applicant may obtain his Greek birth certificate and proceed with this to apply for the issuance of a Greek passport at the Passport Office in Greece or at the Greek Consulate of the place where he resides.
After registration with the Greek Municipality and the passport issuance, the applicant is officially considered a full Greek citizen, acquiring the rights and duties provided by law.
Contact us if you are interested in obtaining Greek citizenship.
Thessaloniki
+30 2310 284408
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Our Greek Citizenship Services
We help you acquire your Greek Citizenship
Greek Citizenship by Descent: Locating Documents
We help you find documents relating to your ancestor that will enable you to prove your Greek origin.
Registration with the competent municipality
We register the necessary documents with the competent municipality.
Required Paperwork
We help you correctly fill out the necessary documents to apply for Greek nationality.
Greek Power of Attorney
Our office can carry the procedure through a limited power of attorney so that you do not have to travel to Greece in person.
Alternative Solutions
If you do not have a Greek ancestor there are still other ways to obtain Greek citizenship or a residence permit to reside in Greece. Contact us to assess which one is best for you; we will help you submit your application and manage the entire process without traveling to Greece before your application is approved.
Greek Golden Visa
In some cases, the best way to obtain Greek citizenship is through the Golden Visa program, which allows you to obtain a residence permit in Greece when investing in real estate. Read more details about the program here: Golden Visa Greece.
Greek Passport Application
We consult with you to explain you in great detail the procedure to apply for Greek Passport.
Greek Citizenship Requirements
The requirements for obtaining Greek citizenship vary depending on individual circumstances, so it is always important to evaluate your specific case with the help of an expert.
Besides some special cases, like when you apply for a Golden VISA in Greece, there are some general requirements that apply to most applicants.
Greece adopted a formula for acquiring citizenship intermediate between ius sanguinis and ius soli, strengthened through a revision in 2010. Other significant changes were made by laws 4251/2014 and 4332/2015.
- Citizenship by birth: Greek citizenship is granted automatically (by declaration) at birth to the child of foreigners born in Greece (double ius soli).
- Citizenship for minors: Children of foreigners acquire citizenship if their parents have been residents of Greek territory for at least five years. However, the application must be submitted within three years of the child’s birth. Minors not born in Greece are legally required to have successfully attended at least six years of school in Greece. Again, citizenship is acquired by declaration.
- Citizenship by adoption: A child adopted by a Greek citizen becomes a citizen from the day of adoption.
- Citizenship by naturalization: For naturalization, the required length of residence is seven consecutive years, three for refugees.
Other general requirements relate to residency, integration into the local culture and knowledge of the language, good employment and financial status, and conduct.
As with many other nations, in order to obtain Greek citizenship, it is important to demonstrate a good knowledge of Greek culture and a basic knowledge of the language. Generally, knowledge of the language and culture is demonstrated through an examination.
Other requirements for obtaining Greek citizenship are financial stability (i.e. being able to support yourself and any dependents) and no criminal record.
As mentioned above, the requirements may depend on a person’s specific situation. For example, someone who is the child or descendant of a Greek citizen will go through a different process to obtain Greek citizenship than someone who is not, just as a foreign national married to a Greek citizen represents an even different case.
Obtaining Greek citizenship can be complex and time consuming. As qualified immigration attorneys, we would be happy to consult with you for more information and guidance.
Greek Citizenship Test
To obtain Greek citizenship, one must pass two exams: a written and an oral exam. The exams are used to demonstrate one’s knowledge of Greek culture, history, and language.
The written exam consists of twenty questions covering the history and geography of Greece, Greek culture, and the workings of the Greek parliamentary system. The written exam is held every two years.
In addition to history and culture, foreign nationals interested in obtaining Greek citizenship must demonstrate a well-written and spoken knowledge of the language, at least at the Lower Intermediate level (equal to the B1 level of the European reference framework).
Passing the exam is necessary to obtain the certificate that will allow one to apply for Greek citizenship.
However, more than the written exam is needed! In addition to this, it is also required to pass an oral examination at the General Secretariat for Citizenship of the Greek Ministry.
Only after this interview, in fact, will the Ministry of the Interior and the National Transparency Authority decide whether or not to grant the application for citizenship.
Participation in the written and oral examination requires a fee of 250 euros and 550 euros, respectively.
In some cases, however, you are exempt from the written exam, for example, if you attended a school or university in Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Greek Citizenship: FAQ
How do I obtain Greek citizenship?
There are various ways in which you can obtain Greek nationality:
- By birth, if one of your parents is a Greek citizen
- By descent, if you have Greek ancestry and can prove it
- By acknowledgment of paternity by a Greek father
- By naturalization
To apply for Greek citizenship by naturalization, you must have lived in Greece for at least seven years with a regular residence permit, not have been convicted of crimes in Greece or other countries, be able to speak Greek and be integrated into the country’s economic and social system by working, studying, paying taxes or owning property.
Does Greek citizenship have an expiry date?
No. Once you obtain Greek citizenship, you will be considered a Greek citizen for life and pass citizenship on to your children by descent. The same applies to all members of your family who have obtained Greek citizenship.
Does Greek citizenship make me an EU citizen automatically?
Yes. As Greece is a member of the European Union, Greek citizens are automatically European citizens. This means they can move freely within any state of the European Union to live, study or work.
I am a resident of Greece. Do I have to live in the country to obtain Greek citizenship?
Yes. Under Greek law, residents can obtain Greek citizenship after living in Greece continuously for seven years.
Does Greece allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Greek law provides the possibility of dual citizenships, provided that the same possibility is guaranteed in the country of which you are currently a citizen.
Can I get a Greek passport if my mum or dad are Greek?
Yes. If your mum or dad are Greek citizenships, it is very likely that you have the right to apply for a Greek passport.
Can I get a Greek passport through grandparents?
Most probably yes. According to Greek law, you are entitled to apply for Greek citizenship if you have Greek ancestry and can prove it with appropriate documentation.
What are the benefits of Greek citizenship?
The benefits of Greek citizenship include the right to live and work in Greece and other EU countries, access to a quality health and education system and the opportunity to vote in national and EU elections.
In addition, a Greek passport entitles you to visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 186 countries.
How long does it take to get Greek citizenship?
The duration of the procedure to obtain Greek citizenship can vary and depends on various factors such as the type of application and the completeness of the documents submitted. In general, one should expect a period of several months to a few years.
Keep this in Mind!
Why Do You Want Greek Citizenship
Freedom of having multiple passports
Greece allows its citizens to have multiple passports. Therefore, you will not have to give up your passport by obtaining Greek citizenship. Keep in mind, however, that some countries do not allow dual citizenship: if you live in one of them, you will not be able to keep both.
Become a Citizen of the European Union
By becoming a Greek citizen, you automatically become a citizen of the European Union and enjoy the freedom of movement and residence provided within the European Union to its citizens: you can reside, work or study in any European country.
Enjoy Travel Freedom
The Greek passport is one of the most powerful passports in the world when it comes to freedom of movement.
As well as allowing you to live and move freely within the European Union, a Greek passport allows you to travel to countries such as the USA and UK, Turkey and Australia.
Wondering where Greek citizens can travel without a visa? As of 2023, the Greek passport allows you to enter 186 countries without a visa or with a visa on arrival.
Our Greek Citizenship Lawyer will help you get Greek citizenship stress free
Contact us if you want to apply for Greek citizenship. We can take care of the process through a limited power of attorney without you having to travel to Greece.
