Greece

Citizenship by Birth

The legal framework governing Greek nationality is jus sanguinis (right of blood). If this idea is new to you, it simply means that anyone who is born to at least one Greek parent will also be Greek. There is simply one method of obtaining Greek citizenship, though. As you are aware, Greece acknowledges that third-generation offspring of its citizens are also eligible for citizenship. In other words, in addition to your parents, you may also be eligible for Greek citizenship if your grandparents and great-grandparents were Greek.

Citizenship by Descent

DNA testing performed at home will not establish your eligibility for Greek citizenship through ancestry. It is sufficient if there is a documented trail linking you to an eligible ancestor. Even though it might seem like too much work, it is crucial that you get this portion right. If not, your application can be turned down. Imagine putting off getting your Greek passport for three years only to find out it won't be coming in time for all of your future plans. That would be, to put it mildly, a major letdown. In order to qualify for Greek citizenship by descent, you must have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent. There is no space for interpretation.

Citizenship via Naturalization

If your grandfather or grandmother was Greek and was either born in Greece or naturalized, you are deemed to be eligible for Greek citizenship; however, depending on your circumstances, you could only be able to gain it through naturalization. If your great-grandfather or great-grandmother was Greek and either was born in Greece or was naturalized, you can be qualified for citizenship in that country. If you submit an application through a grandparent or another distant relative, the family members "in-between" you and them might need to first become citizens of Greece, if they are not already.

Cohort Availability Dashboard

Each cohort has a maximum of 15 qualified members

Submit your application form for review. Once approved, we’ll reserve a space for you in the next available monthly cohort.

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As of March 13th, 2023
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Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis

Eligibility

If the applicant was born before 07/16/1982 to a Greek father and a foreign mother in the context of an existing marriage, he is presumed to have acquired Greek citizenship at the time of birth.If the applicant was born after 07/16/1982 to a Greek father and a foreign mother, whether married or unmarried, he is presumed to have acquired Greek citizenship at birth.If the applicant is born before 05/08/1984 to a Greek mother and a foreign father (regardless of nationality) in an illegal or non-existent marriage, he is considered to have acquired Greek citizenship at the time of birth.If the applicant is born after 05/08/1984 to a Greek mother and a foreign father (regardless of nationality), regardless of the type of marriage, he is considered to have acquired Greek citizenship at the time of birth.

If you've successfully established your bloodline and gathered the necessary documentation, you'll be applying for Greek citizenship by descent next.

Who is Eligible to Apply

Greek citizenship is set by the Greek Nationality (or Citizenship) Code (Law No. 1438/1984) and other laws, especially Law No. 3284/2004. If a person's parent is a Greek citizen, they can acquire Greek citizenship at birth, even if the parent has not exercised their right to citizenship. A person must be registered in the records of a municipality in Greece to be considered a Greek citizen. Greek citizens who live in the United States can apply for a certificate of registration through the Greek consular office in their area. The Greek consular office will then send the application to the right Greek government office. To prove that you are Greek, you need a certificate of registration. You can get this by registering the marriage and birth of the applicant's parents at a Greek consulate in the United States.

The Greek Ministry of Interior, Public Administration, and Decentralization, not consulates, is in charge of deciding who is a citizen. People can use their right to become Greek citizens by going to the Greek consulate closest to them and showing proof of their Greek ancestry. It should be noted that Greek citizenship is an inalienable right for those born to a Greek citizen, and that consulates do not "grant" citizenship but rather assist individuals in exercising their right to citizenship in accordance with Greek law.

Vital Records Requirements

You can apply in Greece (you'll need a translator) or at a Greek embassy or consulate (you will need two witnesses who are Greek citizens). Needless to say, if you do it in the country, it will take much less time to process.
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To submit your application, you'll need to gather the following documents:

Your travel document
Your original birth certificate
If applicable, parents' family registry (oikogeneiaki merida) in Greece
If applicable, your marriage certificate
If applicable, your children's birth certificates
If applicable, your children's baptism certificates
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and, if applicable, municipal registration for the ancestor for whom you are applying for citizenship.
If applicable, your christening or baptism certificate

All paperwork must be apostilled, translated into Greek, and certified. Some of the documents from Greece can be obtained through your local consulate. If you get your passport from your grandparents, be prepared to answer questions about their parents (your great-grandparents), such as their name, date of birth, and marriage.