Eligibility quiz
Was either of your parents a Greek citizen when you were born?
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 consulateApplying at a consulate
Find your consulate
Find the Greek consulate responsible for the place where you live or are staying. If your child is acquiring citizenship through your declaration, you take these steps.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Greek consulate covers your city for Greek citizenship by descent?”
Get the application form
Get the application form for citizenship through a Greek parent. If you are applying by declaration, get the application and declaration form instead.
Find the application formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Greek citizenship by descent application or declaration form?”
Fill in the form
Fill in the form for your application or declaration. The application for citizenship from birth must be completed in Greek as the consulate requires.
Find form guidanceSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Greek citizenship by descent application or declaration form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsArrange your appointment
Contact your consulate to arrange an appointment or follow its other filing instructions.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange an appointment for Greek citizenship by descent at the Greek consulate covering your city?”
Hand in your application
Bring your completed form and documents to the consulate, and attend in person if it requires you to; if you are applying by declaration, make your declaration before the consular authority. Pay any applicable consular fee and ask the consulate how to pay it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Greek citizenship by descent application or declaration at the Greek consulate covering your city?”
Wait for citizenship confirmation
Wait for the decision and registration in a Greek municipality, and answer any questions or requests for more documents from the consulate. If your eligible minor, unmarried child acquires citizenship through your declaration, your child does not need to make a separate declaration.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit a Greek citizenship by descent application or declaration at a consulate?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Get your birth certificate or an equivalent official birth record. If you need to establish your Greek parent's family ties through an earlier generation, you may also need the relevant relatives' birth records.
Parent's citizenship records
Get your Greek father's male-register certificate or your Greek mother's municipal-registration certificate, showing how and when your parent became Greek. If your parent's municipal registration cannot be established, the office may exceptionally consider other official evidence, such as a male-register entry or an old Greek passport.
Parents' marriage certificate *
Get your parents' civil marriage record or original marriage certificate. Ask the office that recorded their marriage for it.
* Only if your parents married and their marriage is needed to establish your family ties.
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
Greek Dual Citizenship
Facebook group for people interested in Greek citizenship (English & Greek)
Request to joinGreek dual citizenship: Go Next-Level Greek Group
English Facebook group for people interested in Greek citizenship
Request to joinThe G.D.R. (Greek Diaspora For Repatriation)
English Facebook group for people living in Greece interested in Greek citizenship
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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