Eligibility quiz
Did your father legally recognise you as his child before you turned 18?
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 a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your citizenship office
Find the regional citizenship office responsible for the Greek municipality where your child’s Greek father is registered. Use that municipality’s name in the search.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which regional citizenship office handles Greek citizenship by recognition for a parent registered in your city?”
Get the application form
Get the citizenship determination application form for your child from the regional citizenship office or the Ministry’s citizenship service.
Find the application formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Greek citizenship by recognition application form for a minor?”
Fill in the form
The parent responsible for the child fills in the form as the office instructs. An authorised representative can submit it on the parent’s behalf.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Greek citizenship by recognition application form for a minor?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the regional citizenship office.
See required documentsAuthorise your representative
If a representative will submit the application, your child’s Greek parent must give them an authorisation or power of attorney. Use a gov.gr authorisation where available, or have the authority properly authenticated.
Authorise your representativeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I authorise a representative to apply for Greek citizenship by recognition for a minor?”
Pay any applicable fee
Pay any applicable fee for your child’s application in the way the citizenship office instructs.
Find fee instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the fee for Greek citizenship by recognition for a minor at the regional citizenship office?”
Hand in the application
The parent responsible for your child or their authorised representative submits the completed application and documents to the regional citizenship office. Ask the office how it accepts applications.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Greek citizenship by recognition application for a minor to the regional citizenship office?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the citizenship office to decide your child’s application. Respond if the office asks you for more information or documents.
See decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Greek citizenship by recognition decision for a minor take at a regional citizenship office?”
Register your child
After approval, complete the steps needed to enter your child in the Greek municipal records. The registration is the official record of your child’s Greek citizenship.
Find registration instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register a minor in Greek municipal records after a Greek citizenship by recognition decision?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Get your official birth certificate or civil-status record. It should show your identity, your parents and that you were born outside marriage.
Paternity recognition record
Get the deed or act in which your Greek father recognised you, or the final court decision recognising him as your father. It must show that you were recognised before you turned 18 and be valid under Greek law.
Father's citizenship records
Get your Greek father's municipal or family-status certificate, or an equivalent municipal record, showing his Greek citizenship and registration. He must have been a Greek citizen when he recognised you.
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
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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