01. Introduction
The right to Greek citizenship can be based on different legal requirements, i.e. on birth from a parent (father or mother) who is a Greek citizen.
Under certain conditions, a right to Greek citizenship may also be established by birth from a parent who had the right to acquire Greek citizenship, even if they never exercised it.
More relevant to the present article, the right to Greek citizenship can be established in long-term legal and permanent staying within the Greek territory (naturalisation of foreigners of non-EU countries).
02. Pre-requisites
A foreigner who wishes to become a Greek citizen by naturalization must hold one of the following titles of legal residency:
- residence permit for investment activity as well as residence permit for property owners (Golden Visa);
- long-term residence permit;
- certificate or other residence permit issued to citizens of the member states of the European Union or of the EFTA countries;
- card or other residence permit issued to family members of a Greek citizen or a citizen of a member state of the European Union or to parents of a national minor;
- card of recognized political refugee or subsidiary protection status or family member of a holder of such a card;
- travel documents or special form on the status of stateless persons;
- card or other residence permit of any type of expatriate;
- second-generation residence permit;
- residence permit of indefinite duration or ten (10) years;
- residence permit for citizens of the United Kingdom andtheir family members (under Withdrawal Agreement).
More on Pre-requisites
The applicant should further:
- reside in Greece legally for seven (7) consecutive years before submitting the naturalization application.
- become a Greek tax resident for the relevant time.
- prove sufficient income for at least five (5) years before the submission of the naturalization application.
- Fulfill their tax and social insurance obligations
03. Typical Requirements
The applicant should meet also the below requirements at the time of filing the naturalization application:
- Be an adult;
- Not have been irrevocably sentenced for certain fraudulent offences, in the last ten years prior to the submission of the application;
- Not be subject to expulsion or other pending status of their legal residence in the country.
- Not provide any concerns for public policy or national security
04. Substantial Requirements
The applicant should substantially prove that they:
- have sufficient knowledge of the Greek language;
- know adequately the Greek history and geography, the Greek culture and the habits of the Greek people, as well as the way the institutions of the country’s government operate;
- have been integrated smoothly into the economic and social life of the country, having made it continuously the center of their living activities.
05. Certificate of Proficiency in Naturalization
- a written test is provided to certify Greek language knowledge of level B1 (oral and written), as well as an examination of knowledge of Greek history and geography, Greek culture and institutions of the country’s government.
- Participation in the exam is considered successful when the candidate receives 70% of the maximum possible score.
- A successful result in the language examination is considered at least 66% and in other subjects 50%.
- In case of failure, re-examination is allowed.
- Certificate of Proficiency for Naturalization is provided to those succeeding.
- Applicants over 62 years old or under certified disability rate of more than 67%, as well as other diagnosed inability to participate, are examined orally.
- Expatriate foreigners who have proof of their Greek origin and apply for naturalization as permanent residents of the country are excluded from the examination
06. Procedure
- Application for and successful participation in the examinations to obtain a Certificate of Proficiency for Naturalization, where required;
- Submission of naturalization application with supporting documents;
- Assessment of supporting documents and satisfaction of typical conditions;
- Verification of substantive conditions;
- Citizenship Graduation and swearing-in.