Greek citizenship is coveted; it grants you the right to live and work anywhere in the EU and connects you to one of Europe's oldest nations. But the process isn’t always straightforward.
Some people are Greek by birth without realising it; others face years of residence and a demanding exam before they can naturalise. And one persistent myth needs clearing up right away: there is no citizenship-by-investment in Greece.
The Greece Golden Visa is a residence permit only; citizenship comes later, if you meet the naturalisation criteria.
Greek Citizenship at a Glance
| Route | Who Qualifies | Residence Needed | PEGP Exam? | Where to File | Typical Timeline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By Descent (jus sanguinis) | Child of a Greek father or mother (registered in a Greek municipal roll). Includes pre-1982/84 edge cases and adoptions. | None | No | Local municipality or Greek consulate | Weeks–months (depending on records) | Law 3284/2004 (Art.1, 3); MITOS procedures |
| By Birth & Schooling (Law 4332/2015) | Children born in Greece who complete Greek primary schooling; parents must hold 5 years’ legal residence before birth. | N/A (child applies via parents) | No | Decentralized Administration | 6–12 months | Law 4332/2015; MITOS declaration page |
| Naturalisation (residence route) | Non-Greek foreigners with continuous lawful stay (7 years standard; 3 for EU/EEA citizens or parents of Greek minor child; 12 for some permits). Marriage to a Greek does NOT reduce this. | 7 / 3 / 12 years | Yes (unless exempt) | Citizenship Directorate (Decentralized Admin) | 12–18+ months | MITOS naturalisation; PEGP gov.gr |
| Homogeneis (people of Greek origin) | Ethnic Greeks abroad or in Greece; includes ΕΔΤΟ card holders. | None | Sometimes waived | Consulate (abroad) or Citizenship Directorate (Greece) | 12–18 months | MITOS expatriate naturalisation; MFA consular pages |
| Military Service (ethnic Greeks) | Homogeneis who enter Greek military academies or volunteer in wartime. | N/A | No | Ministry of Defence / Interior | Immediate on service | Nationality Code Art.4 |
Even with the routes mapped out, the rules don’t stand still. Greece has introduced key updates recently, especially around naturalisation exams, income requirements, and procedural timelines, that anyone considering citizenship should be aware of.
Below are the most important changes, with direct links to official sources.
Major Recent Changes & Cautions
- Caution — Residency ≠ Citizenship The Golden Visa keeps your residency active without a stay requirement, but citizenship is a separate track that typically requires about 7 years of continuous lawful presence plus the PEGP exam and integration steps. (source ↗)
- New PEGP Exam Rules Since 2021, the oral interview was abolished. All candidates must now pass the standardized PEGP exam (B1-level Greek + history/civics) held twice a year. (official exam portal ↗)
- Updated Nationality Code Law 4735/2020 and later amendments streamlined naturalisation criteria, introduced income proof thresholds, and clarified reduced-residency categories. Always verify requirements against the latest codified text. (codified law ↗)
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1. By Descent (jus sanguinis)
Greek nationality primarily follows jus sanguinis (“right of blood”): if at least one parent was a Greek citizen at the time of your birth, you are Greek by law.
To use that right (ID/passport), you’ll formalise it by ensuring your (or your parent’s) registration in a Greek municipal register (δημοτολόγιο) and, where needed, transcribing a foreign birth into the Greek civil registry (ληξιαρχείο).
Who qualifies
- Automatic at birth: A child born to a Greek father or a Greek mother, provided that the parent held Greek nationality at the time of the child's birth.
- Adoption: A minor adopted by a Greek citizen acquires Greek nationality from the date of adoption.
- Recognition of paternity: If a Greek father formally recognises a child before age 18, the child is Greek from the date of recognition.
Edge cases
- Pre-1982/1984 declarations:
- If you were born before 16 July 1982 to a Greek father and a foreign mother, you may need to follow a declaration route.
- If you were born before 8 May 1984 to a Greek mother, you might need to follow a declaration route.
- Unregistered Greek parent: If the Greek parent was never entered in a municipal roll, their registration (including birth and marriage entries) is typically established first, followed by the registration of the descendant.
Checklist: Proving Descent
Once these documents are ordered and registered, your Greek citizenship of descent is formally recognised.
2. Naturalisation after lawful residence
For foreigners without Greek ancestry, citizenship is most often obtained through naturalisation. This requires several years of continuous legal residence in Greece, proof of integration, and successful completion of the PEGP exam.
While the law sets minimum timelines, in practice the process can take longer depending on the completeness of your application and administrative backlogs.
To qualify, most applicants must show 7 years of lawful residence in Greece. This period is reduced to 3 years for certain categories, such as EU/EEA citizens and parents of a minor Greek child. Important: Marriage to a Greek citizen does not reduce the residence requirement—foreign spouses must still complete the standard 7 years of lawful residence.
Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient income, pay taxes, maintain social security contributions, and have no serious criminal record.
The final step is taking the oath of allegiance once the decision is published in the Government Gazette.
Checklist: Proving Naturalisation
Once approved and sworn in within the one-year window, the applicant becomes a Greek citizen and can apply for ID and passport.
3. Born in Greece under limited jus soli
Greece applies a limited form of jus soli (you can obtain Greek citizenship by birth on national soil). Under Law 4332/2015, children born in Greece to foreign parents can obtain citizenship if their family meets certain conditions.
This path mainly benefits second-generation immigrants who have grown up and studied in Greece.
To qualify, at least one parent must have been a legal resident for five consecutive years before the child’s birth. If that condition wasn’t met, the requirement increases to ten years of legal residence.
In addition, the child must be enrolled in and complete primary school in Greece, starting at grade 1. Parents then file a joint declaration at the Decentralised Administration (Αποκεντρωμένη Διοίκηση).
Once approved, the decision is published, and the child is registered in the municipal records as a Greek citizen. A revenue stamp of €100 is usually attached to the declaration.
Checklist: Proving Jus Soli Citizenship
Once the declaration is approved and registered, the child officially becomes a Greek citizen and can later apply for an ID and passport.
4. People of Greek origin in Greece or abroad
Greek citizenship law recognises a special path for individuals of proven Greek descent (ομογενείς), even if they were born and raised abroad. This route is designed for members of the diaspora who can demonstrate ancestry and national consciousness, as well as for ethnic Greeks who have settled in Greece with a Special Identity Card (ΕΔΤΟ).
Those applying from abroad typically file their applications at a Greek consulate, while those already in Greece submit to the Regional Citizenship Directorate.
Timelines are usually shorter than standard naturalisation, often between 12 and 18 months, but applicants must provide clear documentation of Greek heritage, properly apostilled and translated.
Checklist: Proving Greek Origin
With clear proof of ancestry and proper filing, people of Greek origin can secure citizenship more quickly than through standard naturalisation.
5. Marriage to a Greek Citizen: No Shortcut to Citizenship
One of the most common misconceptions is that marrying a Greek citizen creates a faster path to Greek nationality. This is not true.
Unlike some other EU countries, Greece does not offer a reduced residence requirement for spouses of Greek citizens. Whether married to a Greek or not, foreign nationals must complete the standard 7 years of continuous lawful residence to qualify for naturalisation.
Marriage to a Greek citizen may help in other ways—such as obtaining a family reunification residence permit—but it does not reduce the citizenship timeline. You must still:
- Complete 7 years of lawful residence in Greece
- Pass the PEGP exam (language, history, civics)
- Demonstrate income, tax compliance, and social security contributions
- Have a clean criminal record
This applies regardless of how long you have been married or whether you have children together. The only reduced-residence categories under Greek law are for EU/EEA citizens (3 years) and parents of a minor Greek child (3 years)—but being married to a Greek citizen is not one of them.
- Key takeaway: Marriage to a Greek citizen provides no pathway or shortcut to Greek citizenship. You must naturalise through the standard 7-year residence route like any other foreign national. (Note: Always verify current requirements with an immigration lawyer, as regulations can change.)
6. Military service (for people of Greek origin)
Greek nationality law also provides a special route through military service, but it applies only to people of proven Greek descent (ομογενείς).
According to Article 4 of the Nationality Code (Law 3284/2004), ethnic Greeks who are accepted into a Greek military academy or who serve as wartime volunteers automatically acquire Greek citizenship.
This provision highlights the strong connection between national service and belonging to the Greek nation; however, in practice, it is a less common pathway to citizenship compared to descent or naturalisation.
Checklist: Proving Eligibility Through Military Service
While automatic, this path is reserved for ethnic Greeks in the armed forces and is one of the least common routes to citizenship.
Benefits of Greek Citizenship
Gaining Greek citizenship is more than a legal status; it’s access to a European future.
As a citizen, you enjoy the rights of belonging to both Greece and the EU, opening opportunities for travel, family security, education, and cultural integration.
Below are the key benefits explained clearly:
EU freedom of movement
As a Greek (and EU) citizen, you can live, work, or study in any of the 27 EU countries without visas or permits.
Visa-free travel
The Greek passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to nearly 190 countries, easing global travel for work and leisure.
Healthcare access
Citizens receive full access to Greece’s national healthcare system (EFKA) and reciprocal EU healthcare when abroad.
Education advantages
Citizens enjoy free or low-cost access to Greek schools and universities, plus EU tuition benefits across Europe.
Inheritance & property rights
Greek citizens face fewer restrictions on property ownership and smoother inheritance rights under Greek law.
Political participation
As a citizen, you can vote, run for office, and participate in both Greek national elections and EU parliamentary elections.
Consular protection
Greek citizens abroad receive assistance from Greek embassies and consulates, and from other EU consulates where Greece is not present.
Cultural belonging
Citizenship formally connects you to Greece’s history, culture, and identity — recognition of belonging to the Greek nation.
Family rights
Your children automatically inherit Greek citizenship, ensuring generational continuity and security for your family.
With these benefits combined, Greek citizenship is more than a passport; it’s a legal, cultural, and practical foundation for building your life in Greece and across the EU.
Does Greece Offer Citizenship by investment?
Despite frequent claims online, Greece does not offer citizenship by investment. The well-known Greece Golden Visa program grants only a residence permit to property investors and their families.
To become a Greek citizen, Golden Visa holders must still satisfy the standard naturalisation rules, typically seven years of lawful residence, proof of income and integration, and passing the PEGP exam.
In summary, investment leads to residency, not nationality, and Greek citizenship can only be obtained through established legal channels.
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Greece Citizenship Application Guide
So far, we’ve seen who qualifies for Greek citizenship. Now let’s turn to the “how”—the actual process you’ll follow once you know which route applies.
Each pathway has its sequence of filings, documents, and timelines. To make things practical, we’ve condensed all playbooks into a single comparison table below.
This way, you can scan the eligibility, steps, main paperwork, and expected timeline for every legal route side by side. The detailed narratives above give you the legal background; this table gives you the hands-on roadmap.
| Route | Eligibility | Key Steps | Main Documents | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descent | At least one Greek parent at birth | Prove parent’s Greek status → Register in municipal roll → Apply for ID/passport | Parent’s municipal registration, parent’s ID, applicant’s birth cert (apostilled/translated) | Usually a few months once docs are complete |
| Birth & Schooling (Law 4332/2015) | Born in Greece + parent’s legal stay + child’s Greek school attendance | Parents’ joint declaration → Submit school certificate → Decentralized Admin decision → Municipal registration | Parents’ residence permits, child’s birth cert, school attendance certificate, declaration form | ~6–12 months |
| Naturalisation | 7 years legal residence (3 years for some categories) | Pass PEGP exam → Submit application with fee → Review → Gazette decision → Oath within 1 year | Residence permits, PEGP certificate, criminal record, tax & EFKA records, income proof | 12–24 months+ (backlogs possible) |
| Greek Origin (ομογενείς) | Proven Greek ancestry (diaspora or ΕΔΤΟ holders) | Apply at consulate or Citizenship Directorate → Provide ancestry proof → Review → Municipal registration | Ancestor’s Greek documents, applicant’s birth cert, consular/municipal records, ΕΔΤΟ card if applicable | ~12–18 months |
| Military Service (for ομογενείς) | Ethnic Greeks admitted to military academies or serving as wartime volunteers | Provide ancestry proof → Service record → Automatic citizenship grant | Proof of Greek origin, military admission/record | Immediate upon service confirmation |
Use this table as your quick action guide: identify your route, gather the listed documents, and follow the outlined steps.
Remember that timelines are conservative estimates from official sources (MITOS directory, gov.gr, Greek Ministry of Interior), and actual processing may take longer depending on backlogs.
PEGP Exam: What to expect & how to pass
Since 2021, Greece requires most applicants for naturalisation to pass the Πανελλήνιες Εξετάσεις Γνώσεων Πολιτογράφησης (ΠΕΓΠ), the Hellenic Naturalisation Knowledge Exams. This replaced the old interview system and is now a standard way to prove integration.
The PEGP measures your knowledge of Greek language, history, culture, geography, and civic life. Passing is mandatory, unless you already hold a Greek high school diploma or a recognised degree from a Greek university.
How it works
- Frequency: Exams are held twice per year (spring & autumn).
- Format: Multiple-choice written test, plus an oral language component.
- Level required: Roughly B1 (intermediate) on the CEFR scale for language skills.
- Passing score: 70% overall. Both written and oral parts must be passed.
- Fee: €150 per sitting (paid through gov.gr).
- Registration: Online via the official portal exetaseis-ithageneia.ypes.gr.
What to study
The Ministry of Interior publishes the official PEGP syllabus and question bank, covering:
- Greek history (ancient, modern, and political institutions)
- Geography and key cultural landmarks
- Greek language comprehension and grammar
- Everyday civic life (public services, rights, obligations)
Preparing for the PEGP exam
Confirm you need the exam (required unless you hold a Greek high school diploma or university degree).
Register online at exetaseis-ithageneia.ypes.gr before the published deadline.
Pay the €150 exam fee securely through gov.gr to confirm your seat.
Download the official syllabus and question bank (PDFs provided on the portal) and begin study.
Practice with past questions and focus on language skills at B1 level (history, geography, civic life included).
On exam day, bring valid ID (passport or residence permit) and attend both written and oral components.
Remember, failing the PEGP is not the end; you can reapply for the next session. But without a passing certificate, your naturalisation won’t even be examined.
Fees & Forms
Every route to Greek citizenship comes with its own official fee and form. Here’s a quick reference table so you can see what applies to your case and where to file or pay.
| Procedure | Fee (€) | Form / Code | Where to Pay / File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Naturalisation (non-homogeneis, residence route) | ~100 | Application form (Αίτηση Πολιτογράφησης) | Decentralised Administration / Regional Citizenship Directorate |
| Naturalisation of Expatriates with Special Identity Card (ΕΔΤΟ) | 100 | Application form for ομογενείς | Regional Citizenship Directorate |
| Naturalisation of Expatriates Residing Abroad | 130 | Consular application form | Greek Consulate abroad |
| Citizenship by Birth & Schooling (Law 4332/2015 declaration) | 100 | Joint declaration form (γονείς) | Municipality / Decentralised Administration |
| Acquisition of Nationality by Declaratory Decision (e.g. pre-1982 paternal line cases) | 240–340 | Declaratory decision request form | Municipality / Decentralised Administration |
| PEGP Exam Registration | 150 | Online application via exam portal | gov.gr / exetaseis-ithageneia.ypes.gr |
Use this table as your one-stop checklist before applying. All fees are taken directly from the MITOS registry of administrative services and the gov.gr portal.
Timelines (from application to passport)
Applying for Greek citizenship is not instant. The journey moves through several key stages, each with its own timeframe.
Below, you’ll find the main steps explained clearly, with both official targets and observed ranges (2023–2026) so you know what to expect.
1. Application submission
Your case begins with filing the correct application and supporting documents.
- Official: Applicant-dependent.
- Observed: 2–12 weeks to gather apostilles, translations, and correct record mismatches.
2. PEGP exam (if required)
Naturalisation applicants must pass the PEGP exam, which is held twice a year.
- Official: Two exam sessions annually.
- Observed: 4–16 weeks from registration to receiving results.
3. Administrative review
Authorities examine your file, background, and integration requirements. This is usually the longest stage.
- Official: Varies by route.
- Observed: 6–18+ months, depending on regional backlogs and completeness of the file.
4. Decision & Government Gazette publication
If approved, your Greek citizenship grant is published in the Government Gazette.
- Official: Decision published once issued.
- Observed: 2–8 weeks from decision to Gazette entry.
5. Oath of allegiance
You must swear the oath within 12 months of publication. Missing the window cancels the grant.
- Official: ≤12 months.
- Observed: 2–8 weeks to schedule, depending on municipal ceremony availability.
6. ID & passport issuance
After the oath and registration, you can apply for a Greek ID card and passport at your local police station.
- Official: Immediately after oath.
- Observed: 1–6 weeks, depending on appointment availability.
- Track your application status Check real-time updates for Greek residence/citizenship files using your surname and passport number. (official tracker ↗).
Risks & Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
Most delays and rejections happen for avoidable reasons. Here are the 10 most common pitfalls, with practical tips to prevent them.
- Criminal record issues: unresolved cases can block a person's "good character." Provide extracts from Greece and the home country.
- Gaps in lawful stay: breaks reset qualifying years. Keep your permits continuous and renew them on time.
- Tax / EFKA debt: unpaid taxes or contributions signal poor integration. Clear debts or arrange plans.
- Weak income evidence: missing payslips or EFKA records won’t pass. Provide contracts and returns.
- PEGP not booked / failed: no valid exam certificate = no file review. Register early, study, and retake if needed.
- Missing PEGP exemption proof: Greek school diplomas must be original and match your ID spelling.
- Name mismatches: inconsistent transliteration across documents delays registry. Confirm with the consulate first.
- Apostille/translation errors: uncertified translations or missing apostilles void documents. Always certify properly.
- ⏳ Oath not taken in 12 months: grants lapse if the oath window closes. Attend the ceremony promptly.
- Wrong venue / incomplete file: filing at the wrong office or missing forms delays processing. Cross-check MITOS/gov.gr.
Always double-check requirements and fees on gov.gr or the official MITOS registry before submitting your application. Rules change; staying updated prevents costly delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion: Your Path to Greek Citizenship
Applying for Greek citizenship can feel like a maze, from proving descent or registering with a consulate to passing the PEGP exam and making sure every document is properly legalised.
The reward, however, is significant: a Greek passport that brings EU citizenship, visa-free travel worldwide, and the right to live and work anywhere in Europe.
At Movingto, we specialise in guiding people through this process with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re applying by descent, naturalisation, or abroad via a Greek consulate, we help you gather the right documents, avoid common pitfalls, and stay on top of every legal requirement.
With teams familiar with Greek law and procedures, we make sure your application is not just submitted but done right.
Ready to Secure Your Greek Citizenship?
At Movingto, we guide you through every step — from verifying eligibility to preparing documents — so you can claim your Greek passport with confidence.
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