Living, Working, Musing & Misadventures in Greece

A practical guide to living, working & traveling in Greece, plus insider tips and personal stories from an American in Athens

Greek citizenship through naturalization

Acquiring Greek citizenship through naturalization is a lengthy and expensive process for non-EU immigrants of no Greek descent. Many applications are initially rejected after taking several years to be reviewed.

This is also true for a non-EU citizen married to a Greek, unless connections and bribes are utilized. It is a myth that marrying for Greek citizenship is easy — citizenship is not transferable. Being married to a Greek spouse only shortens the waiting time if you have a child together, and everyone of no Greek descent/origin themselves must go through naturalization, as described below.

If you have an ancestor born in Greece, this article does not apply to you. Please see, “Greek citizenship by claim of Greek origin.”

* Article last updated Jan 18, 2010

Benefits of dual citizenship with Greece?

If you are a non-EU spouse and marry a Greek, or are a non-EU child with an EU parent, with the belief it would be beneficial to have dual citizenship with Greece, this is a falsehood.

A permanent EU residence/work permit (5 years initially, then 10 years upon renewal) is easily obtained after a few months waiting, free of cost and gives a non-EU spouse or child under 18 the same rights as an EU citizen without proving fluency in the Greek language, knowledge of Greek history/culture and subjective assessments of morals and character. It can also be retained as an individual after divorce if the marriage lasted at least three years or after a spouse’s death if total residence in Greece was at least one year. See, “Regular residence/work permit for an American or other non-EU citizen married to a Greek or EU citizen.”

Dual citizenship grants you no additional benefits except entitlement to a Greek passport and a Greek national ID, things that hold no higher standing than your current passport that is widely accepted for all official and daily transactions.

Most people opting for naturalization are either:

a) Non-EU citizens without Greek origin or a family link to a Greek citizen, who have a desire and right to reside and work in the EU permanently without restrictions after 12 years in Greece
or
b) non-Greek, non-EU citizens who have uniquely personal reasons.

Basic criteria for Greek citizenship

1. Be married three (3) full years from the wedding date, plus:

a) Three (3) years of legal residence in Greece, if the non-EU citizen has a child or children with his/her Greek spouse;

or

b) Ten (10) of the last 12 years legal residence in Greece, if the non-EU citizen has no children with the Greek spouse or is unmarried, with an absence of no longer than 10 continuous months in the last five (5) years. (The most stringent requirements in the EU, tied with Switzerland.)

Refugees are recognized under the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees and must have a total of five (5) years residency in Greece.

2. Be over the age of 18.

Children born to non-Greek immigrants in Greece may apply on their 18th birthday — if male, Greek military obligations of 12 months will be assigned upon taking citizenship (see “Greek Military Service”); if female, be aware that Parliament is currently considering drafting women.

3. Must not have a criminal record or a deportation order issued against them.

Documents, fee and fingerprints required

Assuming the applicant meets the basic criteria listed above, the following documents must be gathered, a fee paid and fingerprints given.

1. A multi-paged application completed in Greek
– An application can be obtained by going to:
a) the Interior Ministry at 31 Stadiou Street in person or by calling the citizenship office at (210) 324-9683 or alternative numbers of (210) 324-9465 or (210) 324-9314 to request one be sent somewhere within Greece; at the Greek Consulate in your homeland, should you be outside Greece
b) the Mayor’s Office or City Hall of your municipality
* Note: There are no online forms available, and applications do not have instructions

2. A formal statement of naturalization in Greek
– Certified statement (dilosi) Signed in the presence of the mayor or the head of the village council or Greek Consulate and two witnesses who are Greek citizens

3. A photocopy of the applicant’s passport or valid travel document.
– A translation is only necessary if the information on this document is not written in Latin characters; get a translation at the Foreign Ministry’s Translation Department or from a lawyer.

4. A photocopy of all residence permits held by the applicant
a) For the past 3 years if married to a Greek citizen with child
or
b) For the past 12 years, if married to a Greek citizen with no children, if single or if there is no connection to a Greek citizen regardless of marital status

5. Applicant’s birth certificate from his/her homeland with apostille attached and one (1) photocopy
– An official long-form birth certificate must be issued from applicant’s birth city, then affixed with apostille
– See “How to get an apostille” if you are unfamiliar with what it is and where to get one
– Birth certificate with apostille attached must be translated to Greek (see Translation Department link in #3)

6. A photocopy of the applicant’s most recent printed income tax return (ekkatharistiko) from the eforia (Greek tax office)
– If you are unemployed, a copy of your spouse’s tax return from the eforia (Greek tax office) is required or a statement of income from outside the country, which has been translated into Greek and certified by police
– If you are single/divorced, you must provide evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself

7. Applicant’s fingerprints taken at his/her local police station, which includes verification with their application.
– See a map book or call information to find the nearest police station to your residence

8. A non-refundable processing fee of 1,470 euros, paid at the eforia (Greek tax office) under applicant’s AFM (tax number)
- *Highest application fee in the world and deemed discriminatory by the EU

9. Certificate issued by IDEKE that applicant has already completed 150 hours of Greek language lessons or passed a proficiency test proving fluency in Greek
– See, “Free Greek language lessons” to get a sense of the requirements and availability of classes in your area

10. Certificate issued by IDEKE that applicant completed 25 hours proving knowledge of ancient Greek history and culture
– See “IDEKE Greek history/culture lessons” to find information on these classes

What happens next?

* The application and accompanying documents should be taken and submitted to the local municipality City Hall/Mayor’s Office or village council.

* The municipality forwards the application to the local prefecture, where officials will forward it to the regional general secretary for approval if everything is in order.

* If approved, a copy of the applicant’s Type ‘A’ criminal record certificate is requested from the justice ministry.

* The application is then forwarded to the interior ministry, where officials request a personal interview that assesses:
– Your fluency in Greek. Since you completed the 150 100 hours of IDEKE government language classes or passed their test to obtain the certificate, it is assumed you are fluent.
– Your knowledge of Greek culture and ancient history. Since you completed the 25 hours of government classes to obtain the official certificate, it is assumed you know it well.
– “High moral standards, strong character and personality” (all subjective)
– Possession of “stable and regular resources,” medical insurance and a home that “meets the required specifications for hygiene” (subjective, no guidelines given)
Note: If the applicant does not show up at this interview, his/her request for citizenship is automatically rejected.

* If the application is approved, it will be published in the Government Gazette.

* The applicant is then required to take an oath within one (1) year of the decision’s publication date. Check with your respective Embassy/Consulate or your homeland’s federal government office regarding dual citizenship or laws that forbid it. Americans in Greece wishing to acquire dual citizenship are requested to go to the Embassy and take an oath that states you do not renounce the USA, which will be recorded on video and kept on file. See, “American and Greek dual citizenship” for details.

Processing time for naturalization

The entire citizenship process from submitting your application to receiving an answer (approval or denial) could be up to 2-10 years. The Greek Ombudsman can intervene on your behalf at no cost, if you have been waiting an excessive amount of time; it is not necessary to get a lawyer.

Once the citizenship certificate is issued, the new Greek citizen can apply for a Greek passport and Greek national ID (tautotita). See, “How to get a Greek passport” and “How to get a Greek national ID.”

Also be aware that military service applies to all men with Greek citizenship or Greek ancestry between the ages of 19-45, unless an exemption applies. See “Mandatory Greek military service.”

What if I’m denied?

If citizenship is denied, the applicant will be given the reason on what grounds the decision was made. He/she can challenge the decision if tangible evidence exists to the contrary, or apply again after one (1) year if the passage of time helps meet the requirements, using the same process outlined above. The application fee is only 733 euros (half).

The one year date is counted from the time they notified you of the decision, not the date you submitted your application.

* Please see other options for EU citizenship and permits at the end of this post in, “Related posts.”

The future of Greek citizenship

Greeks are adverse to immigrants becoming citizens of Greece, a country with not only the most stringent guidelines in the EU, but also the world. Therefore, legislation is likely to stay the same unless the EC takes Greece to the European Court of Justice.

“One-third of Greeks believe immigrants should be naturalized after five years of residence in Greece, according to findings of a nationwide poll conducted by the Technical University of Crete in November 2003. Approximately 16 percent said it should be after 10 years, and 22 percent said immigrants should never be eligible for Greek citizenship.”

In the news

“French citizen waits 10 years for application to be examined” (link broken) — Athens News
“Overhauling Greek Citizenship Law — proposed changes” (link broken) – Athens News
“Vast majority of new Greeks are Orthodox Christian and ethnic Greeks” (link broken) – Athens News

Related posts

Acquiring EU citizenship through ancestry or naturalization
How to get EU citizenship, driver’s licenses, national IDs, visas, residence/work permits
How non-EU citizens can get a permit to live and work in Greece

http://tinyurl.com/GRnaturalizationwebsite metrics

23 Comments »

  jakara wrote @ November 27th, 2008 at 03:42

that is a long process from the greeks. is their country heaven or what? i am married to a greek with a child, and i will take the government to any extent to get what am entitled to

  Christopher wrote @ March 11th, 2009 at 15:32

I have a specific question regarding item 3 of the basic criteria for Greek citizenship. It’s stated that you must have no criminal record or deportation order. By the deportation order, is it meant specifically a deportation order from Greece, or any deportation order, regardless of country?

In my case, for example, I was officially deported from ____ 7 years ago. Does this mean that if I ever wanted to apply for Greek Citizenship (have no intention of doing so, I’m asking just for s*its and giggles), I’d be denied? Do you suppose that the Greek government actually would discover a deportation order on its own if you never mentioned it?

Kat Reply:

I don’t know the extent of Russian record keeping, but I assume deportation is attached to your passport number and it will be traced to you somehow. Whether you disclose it or not, Greece will ask U.S. authorities to run a background and criminal check on you, and your passport traces your travel history, visa violations and deportations.

So if you hide the deportation on the application or lie, you’d automatically be disqualified and denied Greek citizenship. And they get to keep your 1500 euros.

  Lukas wrote @ April 13th, 2009 at 21:04

Dear Kat,

Thank you very much for such an informative site. I am a greek american living in the US. I recently submitted all of my paperwork with the Greek Embassy in Washington DC, to attain my dual citizenship with Greece. The Embassy was most helpful. My situation was a bit different. My maternal grandfather is greek, but was born in New York City. We could not trace his exact roots to his father in Greece, so I had to submit my application via my maternal grandmother, via naturalization. My mother also applied for her dual citizenship, but since I am 27, I could not tag directly onto her application. The Embassy has assured me that I will get my dual citizenship because it is very clear that I am of Greek descent. They stated that it should take about 1 year for all of the paperwork to go through and about 6 months for my mothers.

Thanks again for such a great site. It really helped me get all of my paperwork together!

Best,

Lukas

Kat Reply:

Hi Lukas. I’d been looking for someone who took an untraditional path to Greek citizenship under circumstances such as yours, and it means a lot that you would take the time and energy to share your story with us, including details about what happened and how long it will take. It’s my pleasure to help someone like you, someone grateful who gives back to the Web site and provides insight that I and others wouldn’t otherwise have. I hope you’ll comment and visit again. :)

  nasar ali wrote @ June 4th, 2009 at 21:36

i came this country 1992. i like this country, i decide to stay… 1998 i got amnesty from oaed (white/green card systems). from 2002 i change to business with permit for independent economic activity. february 2009 i got my permanent residence permit. and i have submitted already my greek nationality.. im waiting the response from the ministry. i like to ask what countries is possible i can work with my permanent residence permit. beside i have 3 children who born here and go to greek school from child age , i request you please tell me what is the possible for me to work,and stay with my family . i pray for your long happy healthy life

thanks lot

Kat Reply:

The answers are already on this Web site.

Non-EU citizens in Greece seeking permanent EU-wide residence/permits

1. Where can you work with a permanent residence permit? Depends. If you have the special EU-wide permanent permit, you can work anywhere in the EU. However, if you only have the one given for 10 years of residence, then only Greece.

2. What is possible for your family? Depends. If you stay in Greece, it’s fine. If you move to another country, you need to research their rules — it’s impossible for me to know about all permits for all countries. If you have the EU-wide permit, it will be easier. If you do not have the EU-wide permit, then you will start from nothing again. If you get Greek citizenship, you and your family can go anywhere. However, if you leave before they process an answer for Greek citizenship, your application will be denied.

  FMS wrote @ June 6th, 2009 at 04:11

Well. According to my reading of European law, anyone with the Greek permanent residence permit can apply to have the EU long-term permit but has to satisfy their stupid requirements about knowing the history and language of Greece.

Most EU countries simply converted their permanent residence permits to the EU long-term permit, but the Greeks had to make life as difficult as possible, of course. Is anyone surprised?

Kat Reply:

Yes, that’s what I’m saying; he must apply for the EU-wide permit if he doesn’t already have it because they are still separate permits with separate requirements and separate bureaucracy. It goes back to one of my first articles written for this Web site: Think of how the rest of the world works, and the opposite is true in Greece.

  Mari wrote @ July 13th, 2009 at 23:29

Hi,

I’m 21, was born in Central Asia, in 2006 I moved to USA and got my asylee status but it’s not a citizenship, I’m planning to get married and my fiancee lives in Greece and he has a greek citizenship, so I’d like move to Greece before the marriage. Would I be able to do it? Is it possible for me to obtain a Greek citizenship eventually? What would be the process for me to do it? Please advice. And thank you a lot, this is the most helpful website ever.

Kat Reply:

All of the answers are in the article above or in related articles on this Web site.

You can only move here before the marriage if you:
a) get a visa and get married before it expires (“How non-EU citizens can move, live and work in Greece“); OR
b) have sufficient financial means coming from outside Greece to get a permit to live here (“How to get a visa and permit to live in Greece based on independent means.“).

The answers to Greek citizenship are in the article above, which I took the time to translate, research, write and update for everyone’s convenience. I suggest you read it again carefully to find the answers you seek, since it does apply to you.

  george wrote @ July 29th, 2009 at 19:12

my mother is nationally greek but citizen of georgia. i have all proved document about this. documents translation from georgian into greek and witness.about citizen i have all documents collect , in my interest is pass this documents and hurry it. i m interesting about your help procedure. . and help to me to get citizen. especially im interesting how long gonna be procedure after i pass this documents. or when i will pass the document did i get the something documents before i get the citizen.? please elucidation this question if you can to help me. course if i pass this documents in georgia its gonna be 3 4 year to waiting. please if something is for help to me.

Kat Reply:

You need to follow the instructions listed above, or those in the other article called “Greek citizenship by claim of Greek origin,” which is a link offered in the third paragraph. All the help and answers I can offer are there already. Thank you.

  STEPHANOS wrote @ October 3rd, 2009 at 13:28

lukas, i have the same story as you. my great grandparents were born in greece. my mother is 100% greek, but she and my grandparents were born in the u.s.a. i do not have any paper from my maternal grandfather because they were lost in war. however i do have papers from my maternal grandmothers parent’s marriage license, and residence in greece. in order for me to start.. would my mother and grandmother have to apply for dual as well? i do not believe they would want to..

Kat Reply:

You can start the process on your own and see where it takes you, since you have some of the documents necessary. If they don’t find them sufficient, they will tell you what more you can do since you are clearly of Greek origin.

  malcolm wrote @ October 23rd, 2009 at 17:45

hi there, i was married to a greek woman for 5 yrs before we divorced, and i have 2 children with her and i have been living in greece for 13 yrs now. my question is, what group are my to apply for greek citizenship? i have a residence permit that is renewed every 5yrs, please kindly tell in group i belong cos you know that the greek government doesnt tell you what your right is, you have to look for it by yourself, so your help and advise will be highly regarded, thanks.

Kat Reply:

It does not matter to what group you belong in your case, the requirements are the same. The requirements for Greek citizenship involve much more than being married or living here for 12 years, including certificates from IDEKE that prove you took their classes and know fluent Greek and Greek history/culture. Please use the article above and look at the section “Additional requirements and process.” Everything is already explained. Good luck.

  layla wrote @ November 6th, 2009 at 20:53

hi, i got married a greek man and we have a child. i have applied greek citizenship.how long will take to get greek citizenship? and i cannot speak greek fluently.this is the matter to get greek citizenship?thanks

Kat Reply:

All answers to your questions are already given in the article above. Please take another look. Thank you.

  reza wrote @ December 23rd, 2009 at 19:50

I m living in Greece almost 9 years.I ve got the resident permit of 5 years which can be renewed.Ive got a travel document as well.I want to know if people like me can apply for greek citizenship or not? also is there any hope for those having Rose card of 6 months permit,to be recognized as political refugees? Sas euxaristo para poli gia tis xrisimes plirofories.Na exete kales giortes.

Kat Reply:

I get the feeling you didn’t read the article at all because your questions about citizenship have already been answered. It takes much more than living here and a permit to get Greek citizenship. Please read the list.

Regarding the rose card, I know nothing about it so you should inquire at the municipality office. Regarding political refugees, Greece accepts very very few after a long process and chances are slim to none.

  mary wrote @ March 19th, 2010 at 23:44

i’m a Greek citizen married to an American (non-Greek) man and we have been living in Greece since 2003. My husband has a residency permit, now valid for 10 years. We had a baby, born in Greece, 3 years ago. How easy is it for my husband to gain Greek citizenship and once he does, is he entitled to a Greek/EU passport?
What is the best official/government website for all the steps necessary for this whole process?

Kat Reply:

1) How easy is it for your husband to get Greek citizenship? Depends, did he already meet all the requirements listed above? It takes a lot more than marriage, a permit and a baby. Read the article again (‘Documents, Fee and Fingerprints required’) to see what I mean.

2) Is he entitled to a Greek passport? This question is already answered in the article above also.

3) What’s the best official/gov’t Web site? In English, there isn’t one containing the info you seek; that’s why I wrote this article. In Greek, I assume you know that as a Greek citizen yourself. All the steps necessary, including the documents and whole process, are listed above for you already. All you need to do is follow them.

Best of luck.

Your comment

HTML-Tags:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes