Greek Citizenship Requirements, Do You Qualify?
UNDERSTANDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING FOR GREECE CITIZENSHIP
Who Qualifies for Greek Citizenship
The Greek law outlines several paths under the Greek definition of citizen, and each of these paths has its own set of requirements that must be met in order to become a citizen of Greece. Your eligibility all depends on what route you want to take for how to become a Greek citizen.
There are 4 primary methods for applying for Greek citizenship:
- By descent if you have Greek ancestors
- By marriage if you are married to a Greek citizen
- By investment through the Greece Golden Visa
- By naturalization if you’ve already been living and working here for many years.
Below, we outline the exact requirements that apply to each path to Greek citizenship while also linking you to other resources.
If it all feels a bit complicated, we understand. GDC assists people working their way through the complex Greek bureaucracy that make obtaining Greek citizenship challenging.
We provide free consultation calls to get you started. It’s a chance to speak with an expert about the details of your situation.
Greek Nationality Requirements at a Glance
There are 4 main ways that you can apply for and become a Greek citizen. In the table below, these Greek passport requirements are outlined:
| Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Citizenship by Descent Requirements | The most straightforward path falls under the Greek definition of citizen by ancestry. You qualify if: - One or both parents were Greek citizens at your birth - Your grandparents held Greek citizenship during your parent's birth - You can document your family's Greek heritage through official records Key documentation requirements include: - Birth certificates linking generations - Greek municipal registration records - Marriage certificates connecting family lines - Baptismal records (if available) - Military service records of male ancestors Find our full guide to Citizenship by Descent here |
| Citizenship by Marriage Requirements | When married to a Greek citizen, the Greek citizenship requirements include: - Three years of legal marriage and continuous residence in Greece - Valid residence permit throughout the period - Proof of strong family bonds - Integration into Greek society - Financial self-sufficiency - Clean criminal record - B1 level Greek language proficiency Find our full guide to Citizenship by Marriage here |
| Citizenship by Naturalization Requirements | Standard naturalization under the Greek definition of citizen demands: - Seven years of legal residence - Continuous valid residence permits - Stable income source - Integration into Greek society - Greek language competency (B1 level) - Knowledge of Greek history and culture - Clean criminal record - Tax compliance history |
| Citizenship by Investment Requirements (Greece Golden Visa) | The Golden Visa program, leading to Greek citizenship requirements after seven years, requires: - Minimum investment of €250,000-€800,000 in real estate - Clean criminal record - Private health insurance - Financial self-sufficiency After seven years: - Language proficiency - Integration evidence - Continuous residence Find our full guide to Citizenship by Greece Golden Visa here |
Greek Language Requirements
The Greek language requirements do NOT apply in every circumstance. It does not apply to those applying for Greek citizenship by descent. Please see the chart above to confirm if the language proficiency applies to your path.
Under the Greek definition of citizen, language proficiency plays a crucial role. You’ll need to take an official exam and score at the B1 level (getting 80% of the questions correct). That will give you a certificate in hand. Exemptions exist for elderly applicants and some ancestry cases.
If you fail your exam the first time, you can always take it again—you’ll just need to repay the fee.
These exams are given twice a year, and they cost €250.
If you excel in these exams, reaching the C1 or C2 level, you can use this certificate to get certain employment that requires high level attainment in Greek.
At the same session as this language test, you’ll take the Greek Citizenship Exam (more on that below).
Integration Requirements
Beyond formal Greek citizenship requirements, applicants must demonstrate that they are making an effort to integrate into Greek society. What exactly does that entail?
You will want to supply evidence that shows you are becoming a part of the Greek way of life, including community involvement. However, the main way to demonstrate this is through the Greek citizenship exam.
Greek Citizenship Exam
For most routes, you will be required to take a Greek citizenship exam which will quiz you on your understanding of the culture and history of the country. This is taken alongside your language exam (in applicable cases).
These “Panhellenic” exams have 20 questions, and you’ll need to get at least 16 right (80%). The questions focus on geography (4 questions), culture (4 questions), history (6 questions), and parliamentary system (6 questions).
Financial Requirements
Greek citizenship requirements include proving financial stability. This shows that you won’t be an immediate financial burden on Greek social programs, so you’ll need evidence of your finances such as:
- Source of steady income (employment contract, financial details from your self-employment, etc.)
- Full health insurance coverage
- Housing arrangements
Residency Requirements
Residency is almost always a factor. But again, the actual requirement will vary depending on the path.
- By Marriage: 3 continuous years
- Naturalization: 7 years with minimal absences
- Golden Visa: 7 years with at least 183 days spent in Greece every year
- By Descent: No residency required
Documentation Standards
Of course, documents are not all created equal. The documents required to submit for your Greek citizenship application must meet certain standards—and these standards are much higher if you are using documents from non-EU countries in particular.
While Greece has some apostille agreements in place, documents from most foreign countries in the world will require apostille certification. Similarly, you’ll need them translated into Greek by translators with the official approval of the government.
Finally, where at all possible, original certified documents are best.
Application Process
Meeting Greek citizenship requirements for the application involves several steps. Check out our guide on how to apply for more information.
Getting It Right with GDC
Knowing Greek citizenship requirements is a good first step. However, it is critical that you meet each requirement or the application will likely be denied.
GDC is a group of experts—lawyers, genealogical professionals, researchers, and more—who work together on your case. We use our knowledge of the Greek system and our experience helping thousands of other clients to make your citizenship application successful.
Maybe you have questions about the requirements laid out above? We offer free consultation calls, and we have team members ready to look over your case.
Dual Citizenship Services
– Determine if you qualify to apply
– Free phone consultation
– Full Service Package
– Qualifying for citizenship by descent
– Golden Visa Program
– Apply for Greek citizenship
– Basic Services (records/translation/Genealogy, etc)
