GREEK CITIZENSHIP LAW

Victoria Plati & Associates Law Firm has extensive experience in Greek citizenship matters and can provide legal guidance throughout the entire process of applying for nationality. We support applicants in every procedural step to increase the chances of successful approval.

Naturalization is the administrative act by which a State grants its citizenship to a foreign national, conferring upon them equal rights and obligations as those of native-born citizens.

According to Article 5 of the Greek Nationality Code — as amended by Article 2 of Law 3838/2010 — the requirements for naturalization are clearly defined and apply both to ethnic Greeks and to other foreign nationals.

• Formal requirements for naturalization

The applicant — either of non-Greek origin or ethnic Greek — must fulfill the following criteria:

1. Be an adult at the time of submitting the declaration of intent to naturalize.
2. Have no criminal convictions that constitute a legal obstacle to naturalization.
3. Not be under deportation proceedings or face any unresolved issues regarding their legal residence status in Greece.
4. Have legally and continuously resided in Greece for:
   • at least seven (7) consecutive years prior to the application, or
   • at least five (5) consecutive years if this condition was fulfilled by 24/03/2010, or
   • at least three (3) years if the applicant:
     • is a citizen of an EU Member State,
     • is the spouse of a Greek citizen with a common child,
     • has parental responsibility for a minor of Greek nationality, or
     • is a recognized political refugee or stateless person.
5. Possess one of the following valid residence permits or equivalent status:
   • long-term residence permit or second-generation permit,
   • residence document issued to EU/EEA citizens,
   • residence document issued to family members of a Greek or EU citizen, or to parents of a minor Greek child,
   • refugee ID or document granting subsidiary protection, including family members of holders,
   • travel documents or special status ID issued by Greek authorities under the New York Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons.

Victoria Plati & Associates Law Firm has significant experience in applications for Greek citizenship and can support you throughout the entire process until your application is approved.

Children of foreign nationals born in Greece may acquire Greek citizenship provided that their legally residing parents jointly submit an application before the competent Decentralized Administration,
based on the municipality of their residence.

According to Article 1^A para. 1 of the Greek Nationality Code and Article 2 para. 1 of Law 4332/2015,
the conditions that must be cumulatively met when submitting an application for acquisition of Greek citizenship by birth are as follows:

1. The child must be a minor at the time of application.
2. The child must be enrolled in the first grade of a Greek primary school and continue attending a Greek school.
3. Both parents must legally reside in Greece with a valid and definitive residence permit.
4. At least one of the parents must prove five (5) years of continuous legal residence in Greece prior to the child’s birth.
5. At least one of the legally residing parents must hold one of the following valid residence permits:

• Long-term residence permit
• Second-generation residence permit
• Permit of indefinite or ten-year duration
• Permanent residence certificate for EU citizens
• Permanent residence card for family members of Greek or EU citizens
• Residence permit granted to recognized refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
• Special identity card for ethnic Greeks (EDTO), accompanied by a valid unified residence permit or equivalent legal residence status

Victoria Plati & Associates Law Firm has significant experience in Greek nationality cases and can provide legal support throughout the entire process leading to the approval of your citizenship application.

A foreign national who legally resides in Greece with a definitive residence permit and has attended a Greek school may generally qualify for acquiring Greek citizenship through schooling.

Articles 18(1), 5^a and 5^b of the Greek Nationality Code, in conjunction with Article 2(3) of
Law 4332/2015,
define the specific conditions under which a foreigner may acquire Greek citizenship on the basis of school attendance.
Although each case is examined individually, it is essential in all scenarios that the applicant has successfully attended:

• either nine (9) school years in total, across primary and secondary education,
• or at least six (6) school years in Greek secondary education.

To acquire Greek citizenship under these provisions, the relevant application must be submitted to the Decentralized Administration
that has territorial jurisdiction over the applicant’s municipality of residence.