Code Of Greek Citizenship: 7 Ways To Acquire Greek Citizenship
Alt title: Greece and EU flag
Alt Description: The Greek flag and the European Union flag symbolize the benefits of Greek citizenship as part of the EU
The right to acquire Greek Citizenship is regulated by the Greek Citizenship Code, which was ratified by Law 3284/2004. The law was then radically amended by the change of Law 3838/2010 and the more recent Law 4735/2020. The Greek Citizenship Code defines the conditions and procedure for obtaining citizenship.
The citizenship law stipulates that Greek citizenship is acquired according to the principle of blood law (jus sanguine). Every person acquires citizenship at birth, the same as one of their parents. Under certain conditions, however, citizenship can also be acquired based on the principle of the law of the territory (jus soli).
The Minister of the Interior and the Coordinator of the Decentralized Administration are responsible for making decisions on the acquisition, loss, reclamation, or contestation of Greek citizenship. While the Minister of the Interior is responsible for citizenship issues, the acquisition of Greek citizenship is decided by the Coordinator of the Decentralized Administration.
Acquisition of Greek citizenship: 7 Pathways to Greek citizenship
- Automatically, at birth.
- By declaration and application at birth or attendance at a school in Greece.
- With recognition.
- By adoption.
- With enlistment in the armed forces.
- With naturalization.
- With honorary naturalization.
- Politeness of the procedure: If you are present,call the Evnomos Law Firm and make an appointment for specialized legal advice.
The Process Of Acquiring Greek Citizenship
Naturalization is the process of acquiring Greek citizenship by foreign expatriates, i.e., persons of Greek origin and populations located outside the Greek borders, and also by foreign foreigners, i.e., citizens of other countries.
Law 4735/2020, effective on 01/04/2021, brought about major changes to the process of acquiring Greek Citizenship through Naturalization. Specifically, Article 5 of the Greek Citizenship Code defines the conditions that the foreigner must meet.
Formal Requirements for the Application of Greek Naturalization
The formal requirements for the application for the acquisition of Greek Citizenship by Naturalization are as follows:
- Be an adult at the time of submission of the Naturalization declaration.
- Not irrevocably convicted to a sentence of more than one (1) year for an offence committed intentionally, during the last 10 years, prior to the submission of the Naturalization application.
- Not irrevocably sentenced to a custodial sentence of more than 6 months, regardless of the time of the sentencing, for a series of crimes explicitly defined by law.
- Not under deportation or other pending status of legal residence in Greece.
- Resided in Greece legally for 7 consecutive years prior to the submission of the naturalization application.
Exceptions to the obligation of continuous residence of 7 years prior to the submission of an application
The law includes exceptions to the obligation of continuous Greek residency of 7 years prior to the submission of a Greek naturalization application:
- Expatriates
- European citizens
- Spouses of Greeks, as well as those who exercise parental responsibility for a child with Greek citizenship
- Stateless persons
- Recognised refugees or persons granted subsidiary protection
Legal residence permits are required for a Greek Naturalization application
The applicant for the acquisition of Greek Citizenship by Naturalization must hold one of the following legal residence titles:
- Long-term resident permit.
- Certificate or other residence permit issued to citizens of European Union member states.
- A card or other residence permit issued to family members of a Greek citizen or a citizen of a member state of the European Union, or to the parents of a minor resident.
- A card of a recognised political refugee or subsidiary protection status, or a family member of a holder of such a card.
- Travel documents or a special card issued by a national authority on the status of stateless persons.
- Card or other residence permit of expatriates of any type, except Special
- Identity card of an expatriate.
- Second-generation residence permit.
- Residence permit of indefinite duration or a ten-year duration.
- Residence permit for investment activity.
A foreigner who holds any other valid residence permit and meets the other formal requirements may apply for Greek citizenship through naturalization, provided that he/she reside legally in Greece for 12 consecutive years prior to the submission of the Naturalization application. The Evnomos Law Firm can guide and inform him about all the pitfalls and details in the submission and presentation of the supporting documents, which ensure his legal application.
The last formal condition required for the right to apply for Greek citizenship through Naturalization concerns the person of the foreigner who wishes to become a Greek citizen himself: There must be no reasons of public order or national security, with all that this entails, in terms of his/her prior history of the Naturalization application.
Alt title: Greece and EU flag
Alt Description: The Greek flag and the European Union flag symbolize the benefits of Greek citizenship as part of the EU
Essential Greek citizenship requirements for the naturalization application
A foreigner who wishes to become a Greek citizen through Naturalization must:
- Have sufficient knowledge of the Greek language.
- Have sufficient knowledge of Greek history and geography.
- Knows Greek culture and the habits of the Greek people.
- Fully aware of the functioning of the institutions of the Greek government.
- Have the ability to participate actively and substantially in the political life of the country.
- Have smoothly integrated into the economic and social life of Greece.
Acquisition of Greek Citizenship by Naturalization: Legal work in Greece and ties with the Greek state and Greek society are required
The above conditions will have to be proven in practice. If you want to apply for a Greek citizen citizenship through naturalization, E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC Law Firm can help you prove that you meet through essential requirements, including your ties with the Greek State and society are firmly valid.
In addition to verification of the applicant’s financial integration, you need to prove the existence of stable employment in Greece and general economic activity. This includes continuous fulfillment of tax and insurance obligations towards the State.
To verify the applicant’s social integration, factors such as family bond with a Greek citizen, familiarity with the customs and customs of Greek society, and participation in voluntary activities, sports teams, municipal activities, and Civil Society events are considered.
Importance of working with experienced Greek citizenship by naturalization lawyers
- CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC Law Firm brings years of experience in helping people acquire Greek Citizenship through the Naturalization process. Not only do we guide you throughout the process, by we also ensure that it is completed smoothly and within the shortest time possible. Our specialized lawyers in Aliens Law will take your case on behalf of E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC Law Firm, carefully checking the fulfillment of the required conditions and directing you to gather all the necessary documents before filing your request. They then follow the progress of your request and walk with you throughout the Greek Citizenship by Naturalization journey until the last act of your oath as Greek citizens.
Book An Appointment With a Reliable Greek Citizenship Lawyer
At any stage of the citizenship naturalization process, do not hesitate to call +1 347 (403) 47-89 or drop us an e-mail. For your convenience, you can fill out our online form, and we will call you back.