Legal matters before the authorities of Greece and Cyprus

E. Chatzidimitriou LLC

Free Case Assessment
Free Case Assessment
  • Home
  • /
  • Blog
  • /
  • Naturalisation

GREEK LAW

Naturalisation for persons of Greek descent living abroad

Where descent cannot be documented through Greek entries, Article 10 of the Citizenship Code provides a second route.

WHO HANDLES THIS

This work is carried out by our lawyers in Greece, before the competent authorities and courts.

When this route applies

Typically in two situations: where your parent is not registered with a Greek municipality and no certificate of citizenship can be issued for them, so that the right is claimed through a grandparent; and where your parent acquired Greek citizenship after you were born. The descent route is therefore always examined first, being the more favourable one.

The framework

The application is submitted to the Greek Consul of the place of residence, who forwards it to the Ministry of the Interior with a report that must contain material evidencing the applicant’s Greek descent. It is accompanied by a declaration of naturalisation, made before the Consul in the presence of two Greek citizens as witnesses, a copy of a passport or other travel document, a birth certificate or, failing that, a baptism certificate, and a criminal record certificate issued by the foreign authorities. Following Law 4735/2020, a fee is payable on submission.
The file is assessed by the competent service of the Ministry after an opinion has been sought on public order and security. The law sets a time limit for that opinion and provides that its absence does not prevent the Minister’s decision from being issued.

What "evidence of Greek descent" means

This is where the case is decided. Entries of ascendants, including in old and no longer current municipal rolls, consular registrations and old consular passports, the acquisition of Greek citizenship by blood relatives, church certificates, attendance at a Greek school and participation in a Greek community are all assessed, together with anything that records the family’s history. The Consul also calls the applicant to an interview, at which knowledge of the Greek language and elements of history, geography, culture and the functioning of institutions are taken into account.

Criminal record and remedies

The absence of criminal impediments is examined: the applicant must not have been irrevocably convicted of an intentional offence in the decade preceding the application to a custodial sentence of at least one year, or of at least six months, irrespective of when the judgment was issued, for the offences specifically listed in the law.
Where an application is refused, the reasons are examined and, as the case may be, the evidence is supplemented or an application for annulment is brought. Annulment disputes concerning the acquisition and loss of Greek citizenship fall to the competent three-member administrative court of appeal, with an appeal to the Council of State.

After the decision

The Minister’s decision is followed by the oath and entry in a municipal roll. Minor and unmarried children at the time of the oath acquire Greek citizenship without further procedure, provided the family status is declared and the relevant certificates are produced.

QUESTIONS

Frequently asked

How does it differ from descent?

With descent the citizenship exists from birth and is merely documented; here it is granted by ministerial decision once Greek descent has been proved.

Where is the application filed?

With the Greek consular authority of your place of residence, on payment of the prescribed fee.

Must I speak Greek?

It is taken into account, with other elements, at the interview.

Can my citizenship later be questioned?

Article 26A Of the Code, as in force after Law 4735/2020, governs the contesting of citizenship, which is why the file must rest on documents.

Sources

  • Greek Citizenship Code, Law 3284/2004, Articles 10, 26 and 26A, as in force.
  • Law 4735/2020 (Government Gazette A 197).
  • Ministry of the Interior, General Secretariat for Citizenship, "Greek expatriates permanently resident abroad".
  • National Registry of Administrative Procedures.

RELATED

Related services

Naturalisation for Greek Descent

The service itself.
Read more

Genealogical &Archival Research

Locating the documents in the first place.
Read more

Greek Citizenship by Descent

Where the documents are used.
Read more

E. Chatzidimitriou LLC

core services

Genealogical Research

Greek Citizenship

Inheritance

Cypriot Citizenship

Powers of Attorney

Translations

more

All Services

Blog

FAQ

Pay Legal Services

Free Case Review
Call
WhatsApp