The conditions and procedure for acquiring Greek citizenship are outlined in the Immigration and Social Integration Code and regulated by Law No. 3284/2004. A passport can be obtained through naturalization, repatriation (restoration of roots), birth, marriage to a Greek citizen, or for exceptional services to the state. Greece does not have a citizenship-by-investment program, but foreigners can obtain a Golden Visa and, after seven years of residence in the country, apply for citizenship. The timeframes, procedures, and required documents depend on the basis for applying for citizenship.
Naturalization
This is the primary method for foreigners who legally reside in the country for a long time and seek to become full-fledged members of society. The legal basis for this is holding a Greek residence permit (RP), which can be obtained through official employment in the country, education, family reunification, or obtaining a Digital Nomad visa for remote workers. The Greek Golden Visa also allows obtaining a residence permit.
The main requirements for applicants undergoing the naturalization process in Greece:
- Residency period. The applicant must have lived in the country for at least 7 years legally. This period can be reduced to 3 years if the foreigner is married to a Greek citizen and has a child. Refugees and those with humanitarian status also qualify after three years of official residence in the country.
- Degree of integration. Oral and written proficiency in Greek at B1 level or higher is required. Economic activity is important—employment, business activities, or other sources of income. Social participation is also considered—engagement in public events, and the absence of serious offenses or criminal records is mandatory.
- Citizenship exam. Introduced in 2021, it consists of a written test and an oral interview held twice a year for a fee of €250. The exam covers Greek language proficiency, history, the Constitution, traditions, and the country’s political system. The minimum passing score is 80%. After passing the exam, an interview is conducted at the immigration service.
The naturalization process in Greece is long and bureaucratically complex. The registration of the application takes up to six months, the exam wait time can be another 6 months, and the interview and final decision typically take one year. Thus, the total timeframe for obtaining citizenship from the application submission is at least 2 years.
Important! The applicant must hold a valid residence permit during the entire citizenship application process. If both parents apply for Greek citizenship, their children are automatically included in the application.
Citizenship by Birth
Citizenship by birth is granted in two ways — by descent (jus sanguinis) and by birthright (jus soli).
- In the first case, even if a child is born abroad but has at least one Greek parent, they are entitled to Greek citizenship by descent.
- Birthright citizenship is partially applied in Greece under certain conditions. Children born in Greece to foreign parents can obtain citizenship if both parents have legally and permanently resided in the country for at least five years before the child’s birth.
Children under 18 years old also receive Greek citizenship if adopted by Greek citizens. If a Greek child is adopted by foreign parents, they retain their Greek citizenship, which can only be revoked by the Ministry of Interior.
Additionally, children who have attended a Greek school for more than 6 years or have received a Greek graduation certificate can apply for citizenship. The application processing time varies from 2–3 months to 1 year, depending on the applicant’s background and the workload of the authorities.
Citizenship by Ancestry
The right to repatriation (return to the homeland, restoration of roots) and obtaining a passport by ancestry is reflected in Law 3284/2004 “On the Approval of the Greek Citizenship Code.”
To qualify, one must prove blood relation to ethnic Greeks — parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or even great-great-grandparents.
Important! Greek citizenship law does not impose a strict limit on the number of generations through which ancestry can be traced. Theoretically, even a great-great-grandfather’s Greek origin can serve as a basis. However, the deeper the lineage, the more difficult it is to collect the necessary documents and prove the family connection.
A key advantage is that the Greek ancestor did not have to reside in Greece, only their ethnic background must be documented. However, if intermediate generations have not obtained Greek citizenship, they must go through this process first. Minor children of the applicant are also eligible for citizenship.
Apart from proving Greek ancestry, the applicant must meet several conditions:
- Be over 18 years old
- Have no criminal record in their country of residence
- Have never been deported from Greece
- Have basic knowledge of the Greek language
The process of obtaining Greek citizenship by ancestry can be lengthy and require a significant number of apostilled and officially translated documents. In some cases, an interview at the Greek consulate may be required. To simplify the process, it is recommended to seek assistance from a qualified Greek lawyer specializing in citizenship matters.
Citizenship by Marriage
In this case, citizenship is granted through naturalization. Upon marrying a Greek citizen, the foreign spouse receives a 5-year residence permit. After this period, they obtain a permanent residence permit, and two years later, they can apply for citizenship. If the couple has a child, the required residency period is reduced to 3 years.
To confirm the marital relationship, the applicant must provide:
- Marriage certificate with a Greek citizen
- Criminal record certificate
- Documents proving cohabitation (e.g., utility bills or joint bank accounts)
- Evidence of integration, such as employment or education documents, and a Greek language certificate
Applications are submitted to the Ministry of Interior or local prefectures, and processing can take 1–2 years. Immigration officials interview spouses to confirm the authenticity of the marriage and assess the applicant’s integration into Greek society.
Citizenship for Exceptional Services
Greece also grants citizenship to foreigners for exceptional contributions to the country. Talented individuals can be naturalized by presidential decree, based on a proposal from the Minister of Interior. Each case is considered individually.
Contributions may be in any field — sports, science, culture — but citizenship is granted only if it serves Greece’s interests. International recognition is a significant advantage. The applicant must have no criminal record.
Greek Citizenship by Investment
Important! Greece does not have a citizenship-by-investment programme.
Investors can obtain a Golden Visa, then go through naturalization by declaring income and passing a language exam. Citizenship applications can be submitted after 7 years of residence in Greece.
Overview & Benefits of the Greek Golden Visa Program
The Golden Visa is a special programme that grants Greek residency through investments in the country’s economy. The application can include a spouse, parents, and children under 21, making it one of the few EU programs that allow 3 generations of a family to obtain residency together.
To qualify for a Golden Visa, investors can choose one of the government-approved options:
- Real estate investment: Purchase of residential, commercial property, or land that meets program requirements, with a minimum investment of €250,000.
- Investment in tourism projects: Funds directed toward hotels, tourist complexes, or other projects that boost tourism and create jobs, with a minimum investment of €400,000.
- Fixed-term bank deposit: A minimum deposit of €500,000 in a Greek bank.
- Government bonds, stocks, or venture capital funds: Investment of at least €500,000 in government-approved financial instruments.
- Business investment: Opening a business in Greece that contributes to job creation and economic growth, requiring a minimum investment of €250,000.
Compared to other EU programmes, such as Cyprus (€300,000) and Spain (€500,000), the Greek Golden Visa’s minimum investment threshold is one of the most accessible residency-by-investment programmes in Europe.
Key Advantages:
- Fast processing — within 6 months.
- No physical presence required (except for biometric submission, which must be done in person). All other documents can be submitted remotely through an authorized representative.
- No mandatory residence requirement after obtaining the visa (except for those seeking citizenship, who must live in Greece for at least 7 years).
- Tax optimization under the Non-Dom regime, allowing investors to minimize taxation on global income.
- Ability to open Greek bank accounts.
Minimum Investment Requirements for Real Estate Purchases
One of the most popular ways to obtain the Greek Golden visa is through real estate investment. The minimum investment amount is €250,000, applicable in two cases:
- The property was originally commercial and converted into residential before the residency application.
- The property is historically or culturally significant, and the buyer commits to its restoration or reconstruction.
If the property does not meet these criteria, the investment threshold increases:
- €800,000 – If the property is located in high-demand areas such as Attica, Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, and other islands with a population over 3,100 residents.
- €400,000 – If the property is located in all other regions of Greece.
Important! Investments of €800,000 and €400,000 apply only to a single residential or commercial property with a minimum area of 120 m².
Documents Required for Greek Citizenship Application
To apply for Greek citizenship, the applicant must submit a completed application along with the following documents:
- A copy of a valid internationally recognized identification document (typically a passport).
- Greek residency permit or other proof of legal residence in Greece.
- Annual income declaration.
- Birth certificate, baptism certificate, or asylum confirmation.
- Two passport-sized photos that meet official requirements.
Important! Any document issued outside Greece must be apostilled and accompanied by an official Greek translation. Translations must be performed by a certified translator from the Hellenic Translation Service or a Greek lawyer.
If the application is approved, the Department of Immigration and Foreign Affairs will request:
- A criminal record clearance certificate from the applicant’s country of origin.
- A certificate of successful completion of the Greek language and cultural knowledge exam (or another document proving integration into Greek society).
Expert Assistance from Astons
To ensure a smooth application process for Greek residency or citizenship, it is highly recommended to seek professional guidance.
Astons — recognized as the Best Real Estate Agency in Greece 2024-2025 by European Property Awards — offers comprehensive support for all bureaucratic matters related to obtaining a Golden Visa.
Astons’ experts don’t just assist with property selection and vetting real estate for program eligibility. The company provides full legal support, covering everything from the purchase transaction to obtaining the residence permit card.
With years of experience and a high level of professionalism, 100% of pre-screened Astons clients receive approval for the Golden Visa programme.
FAQ
What are the requirements for obtaining Greek citizenship through naturalization?
7 years of legal residence, B1-level Greek, clean criminal record, citizenship exam, and proof of integration.
Can I apply for Greek citizenship if I have Greek ancestry?
How does the Greek Golden Visa program work?
What is the process for obtaining Greek citizenship by marriage?
How long does it take to get Greek citizenship through naturalization?
Can children of Greek citizens automatically get Greek citizenship?
What documents are required to apply for Greek citizenship?
