Eligibility quiz
Were you born in Greece?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
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 a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Your parent or parents should find the Regional Citizenship Directorate responsible for the municipality where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Regional Citizenship Directorate handles Greek citizenship by birth and school attendance for your city?”
Download the application form
Your parent or parents should download the declaration and application for Greek citizenship by birth and school attendance. Use Model 1 if you were born on or after 9 July 2015 and Model 2 if you were born before that date.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Greek citizenship by birth and school attendance declaration and application form?”
Fill in the form
Your parents normally fill in and sign the form together; in a single-parent family, your remaining parent does this, and if you are a refugee, have subsidiary protection or are stateless, the parent with custody does it.
See how to completeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do parents complete the Greek citizenship by birth and school attendance declaration and application form?”
Pay the fee online
Your parent should get an e-Paravolo fee code and pay the fee online, choosing the citizenship category and type 2163 for birth or attendance at a Greek school. Entering your parent’s tax number is recommended.
Pay the feeGather your documents
Your parent or parents should prepare the documents the local citizenship office asks for.
See required documentsHand in the application
Your parent or parents should bring the signed application and documents to the local citizenship office; one parent may submit with the other parent’s authorisation, or an authorised lawyer may submit them. They can instead send the application and documents by registered post, with the signatures on the form certified by a public authority.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do parents submit a Greek citizenship by birth and school attendance application to the Regional Citizenship Directorate in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Your parent or parents should wait while the citizenship office examines your application and respond if it asks for more information.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Greek citizenship by birth and school attendance application take?”
Wait for your registration
After approval, wait for your citizenship to be recorded in the local municipal records. You can then apply for a Greek passport.
Learn about registrationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How is a child registered in municipal records after approval of Greek citizenship by birth and school attendance?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Parents' residence records
Provide clear copies of your parents' valid residence documents, including a qualifying residence permit or card for at least one parent. Also provide official residence records or permits showing that one parent lived lawfully and continuously in Greece for the required five or ten years.
Parents' marriage certificate *
Get your parents' Greek marriage record if they married in Greece, or the original marriage certificate if they married abroad. If you were born before they married, also provide documents showing that your parent legally recognised you.
* Only if your parents are married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParents' residence proof *
Provide evidence that your parents live permanently in Greece. This can be a utility bill, tax assessment or residential lease.
* Only if you need to show where your parents live.
Considerations
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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