Eligibility quiz
Are you married to a Greek citizen, and do you have a child together?
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 Regional Directorate of Citizenship responsible for the place where you live in Greece.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Regional Directorate of Citizenship handles Greek naturalisation applications for your city?”
Download the application form
Download the naturalisation application form and its completion guide from the Ministry of Interior’s forms page.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete and sign the application form. Use Greek or Latin characters where the form asks for them.
Find completion guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Greece naturalisation application form?”
Pay the fee online
Create and pay the naturalisation fee through e-Paravolo, using your Greek tax number. Keep a copy of the e-Paravolo and your payment receipt for your application.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I create and pay the Greece naturalisation fee through e-Paravolo?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the citizenship office.
See required documentsHand in your application
Bring your signed form and documents to the citizenship office responsible for where you live. You can also have an authorised lawyer submit them or send them by registered post.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Greek naturalisation application to the Regional Directorate of Citizenship for your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait while the citizenship office reviews your application and send any extra information it requests. A favourable decision is published in the Government Gazette.
See what happensSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit a Greek naturalisation application to the Regional Directorate of Citizenship?”
Take the oath
After your approval is published, take the oath before the Regional Director of Citizenship or the responsible authority within one year. You become a Greek citizen when you take the oath and can then apply for a Greek passport.
Find oath informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I take the oath after approval of my Greek naturalisation application?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Bring your original birth certificate, or an equivalent document from the country of your first citizenship, and your child’s birth certificate. If you were born in Greece, use your Greek birth registration record. If you have refugee, subsidiary protection or stateless status and cannot get your birth certificate, bring the document recognising that status instead.
Marriage certificate
Bring the certificate for your marriage to your Greek spouse. If you married outside Greece, bring the original certificate; it should also show any change of surname where relevant. The three-year residence rule for a Greek citizen’s spouse applies only if you have a child with that spouse; an unmarried partner is not named in this exception, and a spouse without a child together generally needs seven years of continuous lawful residence.
Spouse's citizenship records
Bring evidence that your spouse is a Greek citizen.
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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