If You Have Found Even One Suitable Option from the List Below, Congratulations!
You could soon become the proud holder of a passport featuring the emblem of the Hellenic Republic.
Let’s explore all six options in detail:
1. By Birth, Establishment of Paternity, or Adoption
- A child acquires Greek citizenship at birth if, on the day of birth, both parents or the only parent have Greek citizenship.
- A child born out of wedlock to a foreign citizen may acquire Greek citizenship upon the establishment of paternity by a Greek citizen, provided the child is a minor at the time of recognition.
- The adoption of a minor by a Greek citizen grants the child Greek citizenship from the day of adoption.
Please note that laws and procedures regarding adoption in Greece may change. For the most accurate and detailed information, consult the appropriate authorities or legal advisors in Greece.
2. By Birth and Meeting Certain Conditions
A child may acquire Greek citizenship by being born on Greek territory, provided that:
- They are enrolled in the first grade of a Greek primary school or a school following the mandatory Greek curriculum and continue attendance at such a school at the time of the application.
- One parent has resided continuously and legally in Greece for at least five years before the child’s birth with a valid residence permit.
3. By Application Following Successful Completion of Nine Years of Primary and Secondary Education in Greece
A foreign minor residing legally and permanently in Greece may qualify for Greek citizenship if they have attended a Greek school or a school following the mandatory Greek curriculum and successfully completed primary and secondary education. Attendance at kindergarten is not counted. Completion of the required education is verified by an official certificate issued by the competent authority.
4. By Application Following Successful Completion of Six Years of Secondary Education in Greece
A foreign minor residing legally and permanently in Greece may qualify for Greek citizenship if they have attended a Greek school or a school following the mandatory Greek curriculum and successfully completed six years of secondary education. Completion of the required education is verified by an official certificate issued by the competent authority.
5. By Application Following Enrollment in a Greek University or Institute
A foreign minor residing legally and permanently in Greece and who graduates from a Greek university or institute may qualify for Greek citizenship, provided they hold a secondary school diploma from a Greek school or a school following the mandatory Greek curriculum.
6. By Naturalization
To become a Greek citizen through naturalization, a foreign applicant must:
- Be an adult at the time of application.
- Have no criminal record and not be subject to deportation.
- Legally reside in Greece for seven or twelve consecutive years before submitting the naturalization application.
- Successfully pass the Greek citizenship exam.
A foreigner with any valid residence permit, other than a temporary one, meeting the formal requirements may apply for naturalization if they have resided legally in Greece for twelve (12) consecutive years prior to applying.
How We Can Help
If you have found a suitable option but are unsure how to proceed, our Larisa Georgiadi Law Firm is here to assist you with every step of the citizenship process.
We are available to address all your questions.