Greek citizenship is acquired mainly in four ways: by descent from a Greek parent, by birth or schooling in Greece, by naturalisation after years of legal residence, or by naturalisation as a person of Greek origin. Marriage alone does not make anyone Greek. This guide explains each route, the residence periods, the PEGP knowledge exam and the Greek citizenship requirements set by the Greek Citizenship Code (Law 3284/2004).
Last checked: October 2026
At a glance
- A child of a Greek father or a Greek mother is Greek from birth, wherever the child is born.
- Naturalisation normally needs 7 continuous years of legal residence. EU citizens, and spouses of Greek citizens who have a child together, can apply after 3 years.
- Applicants must pass the PEGP exam in Greek language (at a level comparable to B1), history, geography, culture and institutions.
- The naturalisation fee is €550, and €100 for people of Greek origin and EU citizens. The official processing deadline is 1 year.
- Golden Visa permits for investors and property owners are on the Ministry of Interior’s list of qualifying permits.
How to get Greek citizenship: the routes
How to get Greek citizenship depends on your link to Greece. The table sets out the main routes in the Greek Citizenship Code (Κώδικας Ελληνικής Ιθαγένειας).
| Route | Who it is for | Main condition | Code article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Descent | Children of a Greek parent | Automatic at birth; must be recorded with a municipality | Article 1 |
| Birth and school in Greece, or schooling in Greece | Children of foreign parents living in Greece | Born in Greece, enrolled in the first grade of a Greek primary school, one parent with 5 years’ lawful residence before the birth; or 9 school grades (or 6 secondary grades) in Greece | Articles 1A and 1B |
| Adoption | Minors adopted by a Greek citizen | Greek from the day of adoption | Article 2 |
| Naturalisation | Foreign residents | 3, 7 or 12 years’ residence, PEGP exam, integration | Articles 5 to 9 |
| Greek origin abroad | People of Greek origin living outside Greece | Application through the consulate, proof of Greek origin | Article 10 |
| Children of a naturalised parent | Minor, unmarried children | Automatic when the parent naturalises | Article 11 |
Article 30 of the Code states that marriage neither gives nor removes Greek citizenship. A foreign spouse uses the naturalisation route, with a shorter residence period in some cases.
Descent and birth in Greece
A child of a Greek father or a Greek mother acquires Greek citizenship at birth under Article 1. Nothing has to be applied for, but the citizenship is only recognised once the person is registered in the records of a Greek municipality (δημοτολόγιο).
Older rules still matter for some families. Children born before 8 May 1984 to a Greek mother and a foreign father did not become Greek automatically. Under Article 14 they can acquire citizenship by declaring their wish to the authorities in Greece or to a Greek consulate.
Children of foreign parents can become Greek under Articles 1A and 1B of the Code, as replaced by Law 4332/2015:
- Article 1A: a child born in Greece who has enrolled in the first grade of a Greek primary school and is still attending school in Greece when the declaration is filed, provided one parent had lived in Greece lawfully and continuously for at least 5 years before the birth (10 years if the child was born before the parent completed the 5 years). Both parents must hold a valid residence permit when they file.
- Article 1B: a child who has successfully completed 9 school grades of primary and secondary education, or 6 grades of secondary education, at Greek schools in Greece; or an adult with a Greek secondary-school leaving certificate who graduates from a Greek university, applying within 3 years of graduation.
Under Article 1A the parents file a joint declaration with the municipality, and the fee is €100. Under Article 1B a young person who completed the schooling as a minor can file alone until the age of 21; one who completed it as an adult, by the age of 23, files within 3 years of completion.
People whose parent is not registered, and who claim through a grandparent or earlier ancestor, usually apply for naturalisation as a person of Greek origin through the consulate. The Greek consulates in the United States and the United Kingdom describe this route on their websites.
Greek citizenship by naturalisation
Naturalisation (πολιτογράφηση) is the route for foreign nationals who live in Greece. The Ministry of Interior’s conditions for naturalisation, updated on 30 January 2026, set the following Greek citizenship requirements.
Formal conditions
- Be an adult when you apply.
- Have no final conviction in the last 10 years for an intentional offence carrying at least 1 year in prison, or at least 6 months for specific listed crimes. A suspended sentence still counts.
- Not be subject to deportation.
- Hold a qualifying residence permit. Provisional permits do not count.
Residence periods
| Applicant | Continuous legal residence | Years of income test |
|---|---|---|
| General rule, with a qualifying permit | 7 years | 5 years |
| EU citizens; spouses of Greek citizens with a child; parents with custody of a Greek child born in Greece; stateless persons | 3 years | 3 years |
| Holders of other valid permits not on the list | 12 years | 7 years |
| People of Greek origin; people born and living continuously in Greece | No 7-year minimum | Varies |
Golden Visa holders
The ministry’s list of qualifying permits includes the residence permit for investment activity, the property owner’s residence permit and the permanent investor’s permit. Golden Visa years can therefore count towards the 7 years.
Holding the permit is not enough on its own. Applicants must also show they have made Greece the centre of their life, meet the income test and pass the exam. Our page on Golden Visa and citizenship looks at this in detail, and the Golden Visa guide covers the permit.
Economic and social integration
Applicants must show a minimum annual income for the required years. The ministry’s table sets €7,500 a year for a single taxpayer with no dependants for 2019 to 2022, rising to €10,500 with four dependants. Tax and social security obligations must also be up to date.
Social integration is judged on factors such as family ties with Greek citizens, attendance at Greek schools, vocational training, volunteering and continuous residence. The authority may call the applicant to an interview with a three-member panel if it has doubts.
If you are planning a move first, our guides to moving to Greece and the financially independent person visa explain the residence permits.
The PEGP exam and the Greek language level
Most naturalisation applicants must hold the Certificate of Adequate Knowledge for Naturalisation (ΠΕΓΠ, PEGP). It tests Greek language and knowledge of Greek history, geography, culture and the institutions of the state.
- Language level: comparable to B1, covering speaking, listening, reading and writing, under Article 7 of the Code as replaced by Law 4735/2020.
- Pass mark: 70% of the total, with at least 66% in the language exam and at least 50% in the other subjects.
- Question bank: questions are drawn from a published bank of texts and questions.
- Sittings: written exams are held twice a year.
- Fee: €150, according to the ministry’s exam instructions.
- Exemptions: people who completed Greek school, graduates of a Greek university and people of Greek origin.
You can sit the exam again after a failed attempt.
Applying for naturalisation: steps and fees
The application is made on paper, not online, to the Regional Citizenship Directorate for your place of residence. It can be filed in person, through a lawyer with power of attorney or by registered post, according to Mitos, the national register of procedures.
- Pass the PEGP exam, or obtain proof of exemption.
- Collect the documents: valid passport, residence permit, PEGP certificate, original birth certificate with apostille and official Greek translation, social security number (AMKA), tax assessments for the required years and evidence of integration.
- Pay the e-paravolo fee.
- File the application with the Regional Citizenship Directorate.
- Attend an interview if called.
- If approved, take the oath within 1 year of the decision’s publication. Citizenship is acquired on taking the oath.
| Fee (Mitos, 2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Naturalisation application, foreign nationals | €550 |
| Resubmission of an application | €200 |
| People of Greek origin, EU citizens, stateless persons and refugees; objections | €100 |
| PEGP exam | €150 |
The official deadline for processing is 1 year. A tax number is needed for the e-paravolo and the tax documents; see our guide to the Greek tax number (AFM).
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Greek citizenship by marriage?
No, Greek citizenship by marriage is not automatic, because Article 30 of the Code says marriage does not confer citizenship. A foreign spouse of a Greek citizen who has a child with them can apply for naturalisation after 3 years of legal residence instead of 7.
How long does it take to get Greek citizenship?
Most foreign residents need 7 continuous years of legal residence before applying. The official processing deadline is then 1 year, followed by the oath.
Does the Golden Visa lead to Greek citizenship?
Not directly, but investor and property owner permits count as qualifying residence. You still need 7 years, real integration, the income test and the PEGP exam.
What level of Greek do I need for citizenship?
You need Greek at a level comparable to B1 and must score at least 66% in the language part of the PEGP exam. People who finished Greek school or a Greek university are exempt.
Can my children become Greek when I naturalise?
Yes, minor and unmarried children become Greek automatically when a parent naturalises, under Article 11 of the Code.
Can I get Greek citizenship through a grandparent?
Often yes, if you can document the line of descent. If your parent is registered as Greek, citizenship may pass by descent; if not, you can usually apply as a person of Greek origin through the consulate.
This guide explains the rules; it is not legal advice. Applicants should confirm how this applies to them with a Greek lawyer.
Sources
- Ministry of Interior: Conditions for naturalisation (30 January 2026)
- Mitos: Naturalisation of foreign nationals
- Ministry of Interior: PEGP exam instructions
- Greek Citizenship Code (Law 3284/2004), English translation of the 2010 text (Articles 1A and 1B were later replaced by Law 4332/2015)
- Ministry of Interior: Circular 29/2015 on Articles 1A and 1B of the Citizenship Code (Law 4332/2015)
- Greek Embassy in the USA: Greek citizenship
- Greek Embassy in London: Naturalisation for people of Greek origin
