Code Of Greek Citizenship: 7 Ways To Acquire Greek Citizenship

The right to acquire Greek Citizenship is regulated by the Greek Citizenship Code. This code was ratified by Law 3284/2004. Then it was radically amended by the change of Law 3838/2010, and more recently Law 4735/2020. The Greek Citizenship Code defines the conditions and procedure for obtaining citizenship.

The citizenship law stipulates that Greek citizenship is acquired according to the principle of blood law (jus sanguine). Every person acquires citizenship at birth, the same as one of their parents. Under certain conditions, however, citizenship can also be acquired on the basis of the principle of the law of the territory (jus soli).

The Minister of the Interior and the Coordinator of the Decentralized Administration are responsible for making decisions on the acquisition, loss, reclamation, or contestation of Greek citizenship. While the Minister of the Interior is responsible for citizenship issues, the acquisition of Greek citizenship is decided by the Coordinator of the Decentralized Administration.

Acquisition of Greek citizenship: 7 Pathways to Greek citizenship

• Automatically, at birth.
• By declaration and application at birth or attendance at a school in Greece.
• With recognition.
• By adoption.
• With enlistment in the armed forces.
• With naturalization.
• With honorary naturalization.
• Politeness of the procedure: If you are present, call the Evnomos Law Firm and make an appointment for specialized legal advice.

The Process Of Acquiring Greek Citizenship

Naturalization is the process of acquiring Greek citizenship by foreign expatriates. This includes persons of Greek origin and populations outside the Greek borders, and also by foreign foreigners, i.e., citizens of other countries.

Law 4735/2020, effective on 01/04/2021, brought about major changes to the process of acquiring Greek Citizenship through Naturalization. Specifically, Article 5 of the Greek Citizenship Code defines the conditions that the foreigner must meet.

Formal Requirements for the Application of Greek Naturalization

The formal requirements for the application for the acquisition of Greek Citizenship by Naturalization are as follows:

• Be an adult at the time of submission of the Naturalization declaration.
• Not irrevocably convicted to a sentence of more than one (1) year for an offence committed intentionally. This applies during the last 10 years prior to the submission of the Naturalization application.
• Not irrevocably sentenced to a custodial sentence of more than 6 months. This applies regardless of the time of the sentencing, for a series of crimes explicitly defined by law.
• Not under deportation or other pending status of legal residence in Greece.
• Resided in Greece legally for 7 consecutive years prior to the submission of the naturalization application.

Exceptions to the obligation of continuous residence of 7 years prior to the submission of an application

The law includes exceptions to the obligation of continuous Greek residency of 7 years prior to the submission of a Greek naturalization application:

• Expatriates
• European citizens
• Spouses of Greeks, as well as those who exercise parental responsibility for a child with Greek citizenship
• Stateless persons
• Recognised refugees or persons granted subsidiary protection

Legal residence permits are required for a Greek Naturalization application

The applicant for the acquisition of Greek Citizenship by Naturalization must hold one of the following legal residence titles:

• Long-term resident permit.
• Certificate or other residence permit issued to citizens of European Union member states.
• A card or other residence permit issued to family members of a Greek citizen or a citizen of a member state of the European Union. This applies also to the parents of a minor resident.
• A card of a recognised political refugee or subsidiary protection status. This applies to a family member of a holder of such a card.
• Travel documents or a special card issued by a national authority on the status of stateless persons.
• Card or other residence permit of expatriates of any type, except Special
• Identity card of an expatriate.
• Second-generation residence permit.
• Residence permit of indefinite duration or a ten-year duration.
• Residence permit for investment activity.

A foreigner who holds any other valid residence permit and meets the other formal requirements may apply for Greek citizenship. They need to reside legally in Greece for 12 consecutive years prior to the submission of the Naturalization application. The Evnomos Law Firm can guide and inform him about all the pitfalls and details in the submission and presentation of the supporting documents. This ensures his legal application.

The last formal condition required for the right to apply for Greek citizenship through Naturalization concerns the person of the foreigner who wishes to become a Greek citizen himself. There must be no reasons of public order or national security, with all that this entails, in terms of his/her prior history of the Naturalization application.

Alt title: Family taking Greek citizenship naturalization oath

Alt Description: The culmination of the naturalization process to become a Greek citizen, showing a family taking an oath to receive their Greek passports. 

Essential Greek citizenship requirements for the naturalization application 

A foreigner who wishes to become a Greek citizen through Naturalization must:

• Have sufficient knowledge of the Greek language.
• Have sufficient knowledge of Greek history and geography.
• Knows Greek culture and the habits of the Greek people.
• Fully aware of the functioning of the institutions of the Greek government.
• Have the ability to participate actively and substantially in the political life of the country.
• Have smoothly integrated into the economic and social life of Greece.

Acquisition of Greek Citizenship by Naturalization: Legal work in Greece and ties with the Greek state and Greek society are required

The above conditions will have to be proven in practice. If you want to apply for Greek citizenship through naturalization, E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC Law Firm can help you prove you meet the essential requirements. This includes showing your ties with the Greek State and society are valid.

In addition to verification of the applicant’s financial integration, you need to prove the existence of stable employment in Greece and general economic activity. This includes continuous fulfillment of tax and insurance obligations towards the State.

To verify the applicant’s social integration, factors such as family bond with a Greek citizen and familiarity with customs of Greek society are considered. Participation in voluntary activities, sports teams, and municipal activities are also evaluated. 

Importance of working with experienced Greek citizenship by naturalization lawyers

E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC Law Firm brings years of experience in helping people acquire Greek Citizenship through Naturalization process. Not only do we guide you throughout the process, but we also ensure it is completed smoothly and as quickly as possible. Our specialized lawyers in Aliens Law will take your case on behalf of E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC Law Firm. They carefully check fulfillment of the required conditions and direct you to gather all necessary documents before filing your request. They then follow the progress of your request and walk with you throughout the Greek Citizenship by Naturalization journey until the last act of your oath as a Greek citizen.

Book An Appointment With a Reliable Greek Citizenship Lawyer 

At any stage of the citizenship naturalization process, do not hesitate to call +1 347 (403) 47-89 or drop us an e-mail. For your convenience, you can fill out our online form, and we will call you back.