Eligibility quiz
Was one of your adoptive parents a Greek citizen when they adopted you?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Greek passport
Greek citizens can get a passport for travel.
Live in Greece for life
Greek citizens can live in Greece without a visa, residence permit or minimum stay.
Citizenship does not expire because its holder lives abroad.
Study in Greece
Greek citizens can study in Greece and use public services as nationals.
Work in Greece
Greek citizens can work in Greece, including by working for themselves.
They can also work in public service, if they meet the rules for the job.
EU law also protects them from nationality discrimination where that law applies.
Permanent residence after five years
After five years of continuous lawful residence in another EU country, Greek citizens normally gain permanent residence there automatically.
Get help abroad
Outside the EU, Greek citizens can seek help from another EU country if Greece has no effective diplomatic representation there.
Vote and run for office
Greek citizens can vote in national elections from age 17 if registered and not legally barred from voting; voting from abroad requires special registration.
Those who can vote may run for Parliament from age 25 if they meet the other rules.
They also have EU and local election, petition and complaint rights under EU rules.
Use public healthcare
Greek citizens can use public healthcare under Greece's health and insurance rules; being a citizen alone does not make all care free.
When using healthcare across borders, they normally need an EHIC or S form and receive care under the rules of the country providing it.
Access social support
Greek citizens can access public support, including unemployment and family benefits and pensions, if they meet the scheme's residence, work, insurance or income rules.
How to apply
Applying at the town hallApplying at the town hall
Find the town hall
Find the town hall of the municipality in Greece where your Greek adoptive parent is registered. Enter that municipality’s city in the search.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which town hall in your city Greece handles citizenship by adoption registration?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the town hall.
See required documentsDownload the application form
Download the application for registering a minor who acquired Greek citizenship through adoption in the municipal register.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Greece citizenship by adoption municipal registration application form?”
Fill in the form
Fill in the application for your registration, or have your parent fill it in for you if you are still a minor.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Greece citizenship by adoption municipal registration application?”
Hand in your application
Bring the completed application and documents to your Greek adoptive parent’s town hall. You or your parent can also send the package by post; ask the town hall how it accepts applications.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Greece citizenship by adoption registration application to the town hall in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait while the town hall reviews your application and respond if it asks you or your parent for more information. If needed, the town hall will send your file to the regional citizenship office for a decision.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does Greece citizenship by adoption registration take at a town hall?”
Get your certificate
Once your registration is complete, you or your parent can get a Greek citizenship or municipal certificate from the town hall. You can use it as evidence of your registration.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a Greece citizenship certificate from the town hall in your city after citizenship by adoption registration?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Adoption decision
Get the court decision granting your adoption. A decision from a Greek court must be final and no longer open to appeal. If the decision is from a court outside Greece, it must be final, and you must also provide the Greek court decision recognising it.
Parent's family certificate
Get a recent family-status certificate for your Greek adoptive parent from the municipality in Greece where they are registered.
Birth certificate *
Get your birth certificate from the office that recorded your birth.
* Only if you were born outside Greece.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military service for men
Greek male citizens aged 19–45 are liable for military service.
Permanent residents abroad can generally postpone service while they keep that status and are permanently exempt at 45.
Alternative service may be available to people who can show they object to military service on grounds of conscience.
Citizenship can be lost
Greek citizenship can exceptionally be taken away under the law, including for voluntarily acquiring another citizenship or serving another country against Greece's national interests.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Moving to Greece “the original”
English Facebook group for people living in Greece interested in Greek visas
Join on FacebookPeloponnese Living
English Facebook group for people living in Greece interested in Greek local life
Join on FacebookExpats in Greece
English Facebook group for people living in Greece interested in Greek local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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