Eligibility quiz
When you apply, will you have parental responsibility for a child who is a Greek citizen and was 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 citizenship office
Find the citizenship office responsible for the place where you live in Greece.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Greek citizenship office handles naturalisation applications for your city?”
Download the application form
Download the application for naturalisation of a non-Greek-origin foreign national and its completion guide.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete the form in Greek characters, using capital letters where required. Write your name as it appears in the official translations of your documents.
Get completion guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Greek naturalisation application form for a non-Greek-origin foreign national?”
Register for the exam
Unless you are exempt, register for the Certificate of Adequacy of Knowledge for Naturalisation exam.
Register for the examSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register for the Greek Certificate of Adequacy of Knowledge for Naturalisation exam?”
Take the exam
Unless you are exempt, take the written naturalisation knowledge exam and keep your certificate for your application.
Find exam informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the Greek Certificate of Adequacy of Knowledge for Naturalisation exam?”
Pay the application fee
Before applying, issue the electronic fee and pay it online or through a bank. Keep the receipt for your application.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I issue and pay the Greek naturalisation application electronic fee?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the citizenship office.
See required documentsHand in your application
Hand your completed application and documents to the citizenship office responsible for where you live, or ask a lawyer to deliver them. You can also send them to that office by registered post.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I submit a Greek naturalisation application at the citizenship office for your city?”
Attend an interview
If the citizenship office calls you for an interview, attend the appointment with the panel. If you cannot attend, tell the office why.
Learn about the interviewSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I do if I am called for a Greek naturalisation interview?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the citizenship office to decide on your application and answer any requests for more information. An approval decision is published in the Government Gazette.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Greek naturalisation application take and how is the decision published?”
Take the oath
After the approval is published, attend the oath ceremony within one year of publication; otherwise, the decision is revoked. You become a Greek citizen when you take the oath and can then apply for a Greek passport.
Learn about the oathSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the oath after my Greek naturalisation is approved?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Bring your original birth certificate or an equivalent civil-status certificate, and your Greek child's birth or civil-registration record showing their birth in Greece. Get the records from the offices that issued them.
Child's citizenship records
Bring your Greek child's civil-registration or birth record showing their Greek citizenship. The same record may also show that your child was born in Greece.
Parental responsibility record *
Bring a custody or parental-responsibility document showing that you have parental responsibility for your Greek child. Get it from the office that issued it.
* Only if your child's registration does not show your parental responsibility.
Marriage certificate *
Bring your marriage certificate as evidence of your social integration in Greece. Get it from the office that registered your marriage.
* Only if you use your marriage to a Greek citizen as evidence of social integration.
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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