Nationality of Greece: all obtaining pathways
Greek naturalization requires seven years of legal residence — the last three with a long-term permit — and Greek at B1 level. Marriage to a Greek citizen opens it at three years, and descent follows ius sanguinis with a limited ius soli for certain people born in the country.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- 7 years of continuous lawful residence in Greece (art. 5 §1 d)
- Adult and not subject to deportation
- No convictions for specified crimes (usury, forgery, smuggling, etc.)
- Exemption for foreign nationals of Greek origin and those born and domiciled in Greece
- Valid legal residence title
- Naturalisation declaration before the municipality of permanent residence
Documentation
- Valid passport
- Long-term residence permit
- Greek B1 language certificate
- Criminal record certificates from Greece and the country of origin
- Tax returns for recent years
- Proof of professional or economic activity
2Naturalization through marriage to a Greek
Naturalization through marriage to a Greek
Requirements
- Spouse of a Greek citizen WITH a common child: 3 years of continuous lawful residence
- Spouse of a Greek diplomat: time abroad for the service counts, with ≥1 year of residence in Greece at any time
- Parent responsible for a Greek minor (who did not obtain citizenship under art. 1A): 3 years
- Recognized political refugees and stateless persons: 3 years
- EU citizens: 3 years
- The other general requirements of art. 5
Documentation
- Greek marriage certificate
- Residence certificate
- Greek B1 language certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Valid passport
3Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is a Greek citizen at the time of birth
- Transmission with no generational limit
- For descendants of Greeks of the diaspora: special consular registers
Documentation
- Birth certificate of the Greek parent
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Greek civil registry documents
- Where applicable, consular registers
4Nationality by birth in the territory (limited ius soli)
Nationality by birth in the territory (limited ius soli)
Requirements
- Born in Greece to stateless or unknown parents
- Born in Greece without acquiring another nationality at birth: may obtain Greek nationality
- Minors born in Greece to foreign parents: if they have completed at least 6 years of schooling in Greece, the parents may apply for Greek nationality for the minor
Documentation
- Greek birth certificate
- Proof of at least 6 years of schooling in Greece (for minors)
- Proof of the parents' statelessness
- Parents' residence certificate
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Greece
How many years of residence does Greece require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Greece (Naturalization by residence), the term is 7 years of continuous lawful residence before the application. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Greece be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage to a Greek pathway (3 years of continuous lawful residence for the spouse with a common child (without a child: the general 7 years apply)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Greece require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Valid passport; Long-term residence permit; Greek B1 language certificate; Criminal record certificates from Greece and the country of origin; Tax returns for recent years; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Greece?
Greece provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage to a Greek, Nationality by descent, Nationality by birth in the territory.
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Anything to correct or add about Greece?
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