HOW TO BECOME A GREEK CITIZEN

HOW TO GET GREEK CITIZENSHIP: Your 4 PATHS TO GREEK CITIZENSHIP

Becoming a Greek citizen opens doors to living in a country with rich history, beautiful landscapes, and access to the entire European Union.

But the question is, how do you become a Greek citizen? The first step is to check the four different ways how to get Greek citizenship and identify which path is the correct path for your circumstances. Each path has a different set of requirements.

This guide will break down each path to get Greek citizenship so you can decide how to become a Greek Citizen based on your qualifications.

Keep in mind each path can vary significantly in timeframe, cost, documentation, and requirements. Some paths to becoming a Greek citizen have clear advantages over the others so check below to see which path is the correct one for you.

How to become a greek citizen

How Do I Get Greek Citizenship: 4 Paths

There are four main routes to getting Greek citizenship, each with its unique set of criteria and requirements. When exploring how to get Greek citizenship, it’s essential to first determine which path best suits your situation:

  • By descent (through Greek ancestors)
  • By marriage (married to a Greek citizen)
  • By Investment (Greece Golden Visa)
  • By naturalization (standard naturalization process)

To become a Greek citizen, it’s important to understand each option and decide which one offers the most efficient route for you for how to become a Greek citizen.

PATH 1: Greek Citizenship by Descent (Heritage)

PATH 2: Marriage to a Greek Citizen

PATH 3: Greek Citizenship by Investment (Golden Visa)

PATH 4: Standard Naturalization

Best for: Long-term residents committed to living in Greece

If you’ve legally lived in Greece for seven years, you can apply for citizenship to become a Greek citizen through naturalization.

Believe it or not, a lot of people already qualify for Greek citizenship by simple naturalization, including many who moved here for work years ago. The main challenges here are passing an official language proficiency exam and taking the Greek citizenship test.

In both of those cases, you’ll need to do some studying. Language proficiency is obviously crucial to navigating Greek society. But in a similar way, the citizenship exam tests whether you have a strong appreciation for the country you will become an official member of—do you understand and treasure the history, political system, and cultural legacy you are joining?

Key Requirements:

  • 7 years of legal residence
  • Greek language proficiency (B1 level)
  • Integration into Greek society
  • Stable income
  • Clean criminal record
  • Passing citizenship test

Timeline: 7 years plus processing

Cost: €700 in government fees plus living expenses

Advantage: No special conditions beyond residence

Disadvantage: Longest time requirement

How to Get a Greek Passport

Link to full guide to get a Greek passport here.

 Once you’ve obtained Greek citizenship through any route above, getting a Greek passport follows the same process:

  • Submit application at passport office or consulate
  • Provide citizenship certificate
  • Submit biometric photos
  • Pay passport fee (€84.40)

How to Apply for Greek Citizenship

Learn more about the Greek citizenship application process at our complete guide.

Choosing Your Path

Remember that every situation is unique, and requirements can change. Consulting with immigration professionals can help identify the most suitable path for how to become a Greek citizen for your circumstances.

That’s especially true in more complex situations. There may be routes to Greek citizenship that you haven’t considered—and our team of experts can definitely point you in the right direction.

That’s true, even if you just need a few helpful tips. That’s why we offer 100% free consultation calls. Schedule yours today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a Greek citizen?

There are 4 main ways you get Greek citizenship – by descent, by marriage, by investment (Greek Golden Visa), and by naturalization. The easiest is if you have a parent or grandparent who was a citizen at your birth, but you can also become a citizen if you have continuously lived in the country with permanent resident permit for many years or if your spouse is Greek. You can also apply for citizenship by investment through the Greece Golden Visa.

Greece allows people to have dual citizenship. This means that if your current home country also allows it, you can become a dual citizen by following the same steps as becoming a citizen of Greece.

You’ll need to become a full Greek citizen first. Then, you can apply to get a passport from your local Greek consulate.

This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian

Do You Qualify?

Want to learn the best path for you to qualify for Greek citizenship? Contact us, we offer a free consultation with a Greece citizenship professional.