Greek citizenship is not only a passport of the country, but essentially European Union citizenship with all its advantages. It is no surprise that it is popular among immigrants. By obtaining a Greek passport, you become a full-fledged EU citizen, which opens the door to free residence, employment, and study in any European country. Unlike temporary or permanent residency statuses (residence permit/permanent residency), citizenship grants lifelong rights without the need to renew documents. You are no longer dependent on visa restrictions and bureaucracy, and your Greek passport grants you freedom of movement around the world and protection from Greek consulates abroad.

Who might be interested in a Greek passport? Almost everyone planning to connect their life with Europe. For example, businesspeople value access to the EU single market and the ability to run a business and open accounts in European banks without restrictions. Families and emigrants seek stability and security: Greek citizenship is passed on to children by birthright from a citizen parent, which gives future generations guaranteed opportunities. Students and young professionals gain access to free education at EU universities and the freedom to work without additional permits. Even investors and retirees see the benefits: the warm climate, Mediterranean lifestyle, and social guarantees make Greece an attractive place to live in later years. Thus, Greek citizenship is a desired status for many different people, and below we will thoroughly explain why and how to obtain it, as well as what requirements need to be met.

Advantages of Greek Citizenship

A Greek passport opens a wide range of opportunities for its holder:

• Visa-free travel around the world. A Greek citizen’s passport ranks among the top in global freedom of movement indexes. It allows visa-free or simplified entry to about 170–175 countries, including all Schengen states, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many more. In other words, the Greek passport gives you an almost “visa-free ticket” around the world — from Europe to the Americas and Asia.
• Right to live and work in the EU. With Greek citizenship, you can freely relocate to any of the 27 EU and EEA countries. You do not need to obtain a new residence permit or work authorization — you automatically have full rights to employment, run a business, and reside in any EU country without time restrictions.
• Social benefits and services. Citizenship status grants access to the full system of social benefits in Greece and the EU. You can use public healthcare, receive benefits and pensions on the same basis as other Greek citizens. Children of Greek citizens have the right to study for free not only in Greek schools and universities, but also in other EU countries. Diplomas obtained in Europe are recognized worldwide, and education for citizens is often free or significantly cheaper than for foreigners. You also gain the right to vote and influence the political life of the country.
• Citizenship for children. Greek citizenship is based on the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), meaning that children born into your family automatically become Greek citizens if at least one parent is a Greek citizen. This allows your descendants to enjoy all the benefits of EU life from birth. Moreover, underage children receive Greek citizenship without additional conditions as soon as one of the parents is naturalized — it is enough that one parent becomes a Greek citizen.
• Dual citizenship and freedom of choice. Greece allows dual citizenship, meaning you are not required to renounce your current citizenship upon naturalization. You may retain your second passport if your country’s laws permit it.

The advantages of Greek citizenship are obvious: you become a full-fledged member of the European community with a high standard of living, able to live by the sea or anywhere in the EU without barriers, travel, access social benefits, and pass this status on to your children. Next, we will look at who is eligible for Greek citizenship and on what grounds.

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Who Can Apply for Greek Citizenship

Greek legislation defines several categories of foreigners who have the right to acquire citizenship upon fulfilling certain conditions. The main eligible applicants include:

• Children born to Greek citizens. Any child who has at least one parent that is a Greek citizen automatically acquires Greek citizenship by right of descent (even if born outside the country). It is only important to register the child in the Greek civil registries.
• Persons of Greek origin (repatriates). Descendants of Greeks — for example, children and grandchildren of Greek emigrants — may claim citizenship by origin. If your parents or grandparents were citizens of Greece or ethnic Greeks, you are entitled to restore this connection. This process is called repatriation — effectively, it is the restoration of citizenship lost by you or your ancestors. You must provide documentary proof of Greek ancestry (birth, baptism, or marriage certificates of your ancestors, etc.) and submit an application through a Greek consulate. Greek origin grants the privilege of obtaining a passport without long-term residence in the country.
• Immigrants through naturalization. Foreigners who have legally and continuously resided in Greece may be naturalized, i.e., acquire citizenship based on their integration into Greek society. Generally, at least 7 years of residence in the country as a legal resident is required, along with adherence to the law, knowledge of the language and culture. This category is open to almost everyone — from workers and entrepreneurs to students who have obtained a residence permit — anyone who connects their future with Greece.
• Spouses of Greek citizens. Marriage to a Greek citizen grants the right to apply for a passport over time, although the marriage itself does not automatically confer citizenship. The foreign spouse must first live in Greece for several years with a residence permit, demonstrating the reality of the marriage and their integration. After fulfilling the conditions, an application for accelerated naturalization can be submitted (usually after 3 years of living together, if there is a child, or a bit longer without children).
• Investors in the national economy. Wealthy foreigners who have made substantial investments in the Greek economy can obtain a residence permit by investment (the so-called “Golden Visa”). Although Greece does not offer direct “citizenship by investment” (unlike some other countries), the investor has the right to apply for citizenship on general grounds after 7 years of residence with the permit. Thus, investment provides only an indirect path to a passport — through the naturalization stage.
• Children born on Greek territory. The mere birth of a child in Greece to foreign parents does not guarantee citizenship (the right of soil is limited). However, under certain conditions — for example, if the parents have legally resided in Greece for at least 5 years prior to the child’s birth, and the child then attends a Greek school — Greek citizenship can be granted. These rules were introduced by the 2015 amendments to allow children of immigrants who were effectively raised in Greece to become citizens faster.
• Persons with special merits before Greece. The government has the right to grant citizenship outside the usual requirements for special merits. This category includes outstanding athletes, figures of culture, science, as well as investors or philanthropists who have made a significant contribution to Greek society. The decision is made individually by decree of the President of Greece. A well-known example is Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, who was granted Greek citizenship together with his family for helping wildfire victims and his love for the country. Some foreign athletes also received citizenship in order to represent Greece in competitions (for example, wrestler Dauren Kurugliev became a Greek citizen to represent the country at the Olympics).

As we can see, very different categories of immigrants may qualify for Greek citizenship. In the next section, we will examine the main ways to obtain Greek citizenship and the steps that each applicant needs to go through.

Ways to Obtain Greek Citizenship

Legislation outlines several main ways to acquire citizenship, depending on the grounds. Let’s list these paths and briefly explain each:

• By birth (right of blood). Citizenship of Greece by birth applies in cases where a child is born into a family of a Greek citizen. The principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood) applies: if the mother or father is a Greek citizen, then the child automatically acquires Greek citizenship. The place of birth does not matter — a child of a Greek citizen born abroad is also entitled to a passport (it just needs to be registered in Greek municipal records). However, mere birth on Greek territory to foreign parents does not grant citizenship, except in special cases where the family is already deeply integrated (as mentioned above).
• By descent (repatriation). This path is intended for descendants of Greek citizens and ethnic Greeks scattered around the world. If you have Greek roots — your parents, grandmothers or grandfathers were Greeks — you can apply for citizenship by descent. This route is often used by people from historical Greek diasporas — for example, families of Greeks from former USSR countries, the Balkans, and the Middle East. In addition to descendants, former Greek citizens who lost their passports are also considered repatriates (for example, Greek women who married foreigners and renounced citizenship — they can also restore it).
• Naturalization (through residence). The most common path is to acquire citizenship through naturalization, meaning after long-term residence in Greece. To follow this route, you must first immigrate to the country and obtain a residence permit on some basis: work, study, business, investment, family reunification, etc. A residence permit is usually issued for a period of 1 to 5 years and can be renewed. After 5 years of legal stay, you can apply for permanent resident status. After 7 years of continuous residence in Greece, a foreigner is entitled to apply for citizenship. A successfully naturalized person becomes a full-fledged citizen with all constitutional rights and obligations.
• Through marriage with a citizen. If you are officially married to a Greek citizen, this gives you a privileged path to citizenship. First, based on the marriage, you can obtain a residence permit in Greece for 5 years (as a family member of an EU citizen). After this period, a permanent residence permit is issued. Secondly, after living in the marriage for at least 3 years, of which at least 2 years in Greece, you can apply for citizenship. If a child is born in the family, the required period of residence is reduced to 3 years in total (instead of the standard 7).
• Through investment (“Golden Visa”). There is no direct “buy Greek citizenship” program in 2026. Unlike some other countries, Greece and the EU as a whole follow a strict policy and do not sell “golden passports” without residence. However, investors can take an indirect route: first obtain a residence permit through investment, then naturalize. The Greek Golden Visa program is quite popular. It provides that a foreigner is issued a residence permit for 5 years in exchange for specific investments in the country’s economy. Investment options vary: the most in-demand is the purchase of real estate. Since 2023, the minimum investment amount is from €250,000 (in some regions — from €500,000, depending on location and type of property). Additionally, alternatives are allowed: long-term rental of tourist property, capital investment in Greek companies or government bonds, opening a large bank deposit, etc. — also in amounts from €250,000 to €400,000. Essentially, the investor “buys” the right to live in Greece and, after seven years of continuous residence, may also apply for a passport.
• For special merits (naturalization by exception). Another path — followed by a few — is acquiring citizenship by direct decision of the government for an exceptional contribution to the country. We’ve already mentioned cases where famous individuals or athletes were granted passports out of turn. The law allows the President of Greece to grant citizenship to a person who has made outstanding achievements or rendered services to Greece. Sometimes such naturalization is used to attract talent: for example, a promising athlete may have the process simplified to compete for the Greek national team. Of course, this is an exceptional measure — it can only be counted on if you have truly unique merits or Greek origin. But it is worth knowing that this possibility exists.

Whichever path applies to your case, the process of obtaining citizenship consists of several steps. Next, we will go step by step through how Greek citizenship is obtained — from document preparation to taking the oath.

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The Procedure for Obtaining Greek Citizenship

The process of naturalization (as well as obtaining citizenship on other grounds) in Greece is quite strict and bureaucratically complex. Below is the main sequence of steps that an applicant goes through:

1. Assessment of Grounds and Preparation for the Process.
   At the initial stage, it is important to ensure that you have a legal basis for applying for citizenship. Check the criteria: sufficient period of residence, presence of Greek relatives, marriage, etc. If you have multiple grounds, choose the most optimal one. For example, someone may simultaneously meet the criteria for naturalization (7 years of residence) and for origin (Greek ancestry) — in this case, citizenship can be obtained faster through repatriation. Also assess your readiness: language proficiency, availability of necessary documents, absence of legal issues. At this stage, it is advisable to consult an immigration lawyer to avoid mistakes.
2. Collection of Required Documents.
   Document collection is one of the most time-consuming stages. You will need to compile an extensive package of papers confirming all the facts of your biography and compliance with the requirements. The standard list includes: international passport and ID, residence permit or other document confirming legal residence, birth certificate (or baptism certificate or asylum decision if the birth certificate is missing), and income tax returns for the past few years. In some cases, additional documents are required — for example, marriage certificate and the Greek passport of the spouse for those applying through family grounds. All documents must be translated into Greek and properly certified (through licensed translators or a Greek notary, with an apostille). Keep in mind that the authenticity and validity of the documents are checked — expired or suspicious certificates may lead to rejection.
3. Submission of Application.
   When the file is ready, it is time for the official submission. The application for Greek citizenship is submitted based on the applicant’s place of residence — to the local municipality (demos) or community, or to the competent citizenship department (under the Ministry of Interior). The applicant’s personal presence is mandatory: in the case of naturalization, the request must be submitted in the presence of the mayor or head of the community and two witnesses who are Greek citizens. If you live abroad and are applying for citizenship by descent, you may submit the application through the Greek General Consulate in your country. At the time of submission, the state fee is paid — the standard amount is €700. (For certain categories such as descendants of Greeks, EU citizens, refugees, and stateless persons, the fee is reduced to €100.) Payment is confirmed by a receipt attached to the file.
4. Exam and Interview.
   After the application is accepted, the main test for the applicant is the assessment of their integration. If you are applying through naturalization, you will need to take an exam on knowledge of the Greek language and the basics of the country (the so-called PEGP test). The exam consists of two parts: a written test and an oral interview. The written test checks knowledge of Greek history, culture, geography, and state structure — about 20 questions — as well as language skills (including listening and writing). If passed successfully, you will be admitted to the oral interview, where a commission of several people evaluates your level of integration: they may ask about your work, family, interests, reasons for moving, knowledge of Greek customs. To pass the exam, you must have Greek language skills at no less than B1 level (intermediate conversational level). There are also categories exempt from the exams — for example, people over 62 years old, persons with disabilities, graduates of Greek schools and universities. Upon successful completion, a certificate is issued and attached to the citizenship file.
5. Waiting for the Decision.
   Once all stages are completed and the documents are submitted, the hardest part remains — waiting. The naturalization case is reviewed by the Ministry of Interior of Greece, and processing times may vary. On average, the review and decision process takes 1 to 3 years. By law, there is no fixed deadline, so in complex cases the wait can stretch up to 4 years. Repatriation by descent is usually faster — approximately 6 to 12 months for review, since there are fewer subjective criteria. The decision (approval or denial) is published in the Government Gazette of Greece — the official state journal. At the same time, the applicant is notified through the municipality or consulate. Unfortunately, bureaucracy in Greece operates slowly: according to immigrant reviews, obtaining citizenship is a test of patience. It is not uncommon for people to repeatedly renew their residence permits while waiting for the naturalization process to be completed.
6. Taking the Oath and Receiving the Passport.
   After a positive decision is issued, the new citizen is granted a naturalization certificate and is invited to take the oath of allegiance to the state. The oath is a mandatory final step: without it, citizenship is not considered officially acquired. It is usually administered at the prefecture or municipality administration, sometimes collectively for a group of new citizens. One must publicly swear to uphold the Constitution and laws of Greece. The candidate has up to one year to take the oath (if not completed within 12 months, the citizenship decision may be annulled). After taking the oath, you officially become a citizen of the Hellenic Republic. You are assigned a Greek identification number and issued an internal identity card (ID card). With these documents, you are entitled to apply for a Greek international passport. The passport is issued fairly quickly — usually within a few weeks after submitting the relevant application at the police passport office or through a consulate. The fee for issuing the passport is approximately €84, and it is valid for 10 years.

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Requirements for Applicants

As can be seen from the process description, there are a number of requirements that must be met by an applicant on the path to citizenship. Let’s summarize the key criteria and conditions:

• Length of residence. Greece has one of the longest residency requirements for naturalization in the EU — a minimum of 7 years of continuous residence in the country. This period is counted from the date of obtaining the first residence permit. It may be shortened only for certain privileged categories: for example, to 3 years for spouses of Greeks if there is a common child, to 5 years for refugees and stateless persons, as well as for outstanding athletes included in the national team. But the majority of immigrants should expect to meet the full 7-year requirement. Moreover, residence must be continuous — frequent and long absences from Greece are not allowed. The law permits absences of no more than 6 months consecutively and no more than 10 months in total over each 5-year period prior to submitting the application.
• Language proficiency and integration. One of the fundamental requirements is knowledge of the Greek language at a level no lower than B1 (intermediate level) and general familiarity with the country’s culture and history. This is assessed through the special PEGP exam mentioned earlier. You must be able to engage in conversation in Greek, understand texts, know the main historical dates, national symbols, the basics of the constitutional system, and the rights and obligations of citizens. In practice, it is expected that the immigrant has integrated into local society over the years of residence in Greece: works or runs a business, knows the customs, and possibly participates in community life. At the same time, there are relaxations: for elderly individuals or people with disabilities, lack of language skills may be excused, and graduates of Greek educational institutions are exempt from the exam altogether, as their integration is considered proven.
• Good character and lawfulness. An important condition is the absence of legal issues. The applicant must have a clean criminal record: no convictions for serious crimes, especially in the last 10 years. It is also checked whether you have violated immigration laws (e.g., illegal stay, deportations from Greece, etc.). During the review, the Greek Ministry of Interior requests certificates of no criminal record and no entry bans in both Greece and your country of origin. Any discovered violations, fraud, or submission of forged documents will lead to rejection. In addition to legal cleanliness, the overall reputation of the applicant is considered: the presence of large debts or unpaid taxes can negatively influence the decision.
• Financial self-sufficiency. There is no explicit minimum income requirement in the citizenship law, but in practice, it is present. When applying for naturalization, you must provide tax returns or other proof of your means of subsistence. The applicant must demonstrate financial independence — stable income sufficient for living, or savings. By the time of application, it is important to have a clean tax history, no debts, and documented legal income (employment certificates, entrepreneur reports, bank statements, etc.).
• Loyalty and renunciation of prior claims. Greece does not require new citizens to renounce their current citizenship and allows dual nationality. However, loyalty to the new homeland is expected. At the oath ceremony, you pledge to uphold the Constitution and laws of Greece, which implies prioritizing the duties of a Greek citizen. For example, on Greek territory, you will be treated only as a Greek citizen, even if you have a second passport — and you will not be able to seek protection from a foreign consulate. Also, if you enter public service in another country without permission, Greek citizenship may later be revoked (there have been precedents). In general, though, no formal “renunciation” of your home country is required — it is enough to be a law-abiding resident of Greece.

To summarize, a candidate for Greek citizenship must reside in the country for the required period, integrate both linguistically and socially, obey the laws, and be financially independent. Meeting these requirements is the key to successful naturalization. Next, we will evaluate how much time and money it takes to complete the process.

Timeframes and Costs

Obtaining a second citizenship is always about time and money. Let’s break down how long it takes to get a Greek passport and how much the entire procedure costs.

⏳ Minimum Residence Period. The main time “investment” is the number of years you need to live in Greece before applying. The standard for naturalization is 7 years of residence with legal status. This period is counted from the date of obtaining your first residence permit. It can only be shortened for specific privileged categories: 3 years for the spouse of a Greek citizen (if there are children), 5 years for refugees and stateless persons, and in some other cases provided by law. For investors under the Golden Visa program, the period is not reduced: although the residence permit is granted for 5 years, citizenship is still only granted after 7 years of actual residence in Greece.

⏳ Application Processing Time. Once the long-awaited application is submitted, the waiting period begins. The law does not set strict deadlines for authorities, so the processing time may vary. On average, a naturalization decision is made within 2–3 years after submitting documents. However, in practice, the process often drags on — up to 4 years in some cases. It depends on the workload of the committees and the complexity of the case. If the file is extensive, authorities may request additional information, which extends the timeline. For simplified grounds (birth to Greek citizens, repatriation), the process is usually faster — about 6 to 18 months in total, since it mainly involves document verification and no exams. But even in these cases, delays are possible. Therefore, from the moment you start preparing (when you first consider applying for citizenship) to the actual receipt of the passport, it realistically takes 7–8 years at a minimum (if you already have enough residency), or 10–12 years if starting from scratch as an immigrant.

💰 Government Fees and Charges. In terms of finances, the citizenship procedure is not as expensive as one might think. The main mandatory cost is the naturalization application fee, which is currently €700 for most applicants. As previously mentioned, there is a reduced fee of €100 for certain groups (EU citizens, persons of Greek descent, refugees). If your previous application was rejected and you are reapplying, the fee is lower — €200. In addition, you must pay an exam fee to take the citizenship test — around €150. Once your citizenship is approved and you take the oath, you’ll need to obtain a passport and ID card, which cost around €84 for an adult. Thus, the total mandatory fees are about €1,000, covering all stages.

💰 Additional Expenses. A significant portion of the costs is related not to official fees, but to accompanying services. You will almost certainly need to translate documents into Greek and have them notarized. Each page of translation in Greece or by a certified translator abroad costs around €20–50. Considering your file will include dozens of pages (certificates, statements, diplomas, etc.), translations alone can cost several hundred euros. Apostille legalization of documents in your country is also an additional expense, based on local rates. If you hire an immigration lawyer or agency to assist with the process, that’s a separate cost item. In total, overall costs may range from a minimum of €300–500 (if done independently, with few documents) to several thousand euros, if using professional services — including things like language courses (many applicants attend Greek courses or hire tutors, which is also an investment).

💰 Investment Route: The Price Tag. Special note for investors. While the naturalization process itself is the same for them and fees are identical, major spending occurs at the stage of obtaining a Golden Visa. The required minimum investment threshold is €250,000 in real estate (and from 2023, in many regions, it has increased to €500,000, depending on the location and type of property). Additional expenses include property transfer tax (~3%) and services of a notary, lawyer, and real estate agent (another 1–2% approximately). Investors also pay a residence permit issuance fee — €2,000 for the main applicant and €150 for each family member. As a result, the all-inclusive cost of obtaining a Golden Visa in Greece may reach €270,000–300,000 or more, depending on property prices and services. These expenses are not considered the “price of citizenship,” since this is an investment in property that can later be sold. However, in practice, to become a citizen via the investment path, you must be ready to freeze a substantial sum for years.

To summarize, the cost of Greek citizenship mostly consists of non-monetary values — the time you invest and the effort to integrate. The direct financial costs are moderate compared to the value of an EU passport. Compared to “purchasing” exotic passports for hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Greek path seems relatively economical — but it requires patience and persistence.

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Can You Have Dual Citizenship with Greece?

The question of dual citizenship concerns many applicants: will you have to renounce your current passport to obtain Greek citizenship? As previously mentioned, Greece allows dual citizenship. The Greek Citizenship Law of 2004 does not prohibit multiple citizenships, and after amendments in the 2010s, the country became completely liberal on this issue. This means that upon naturalization, you will not be required to renounce your previous citizenship. You will become a Greek citizen while retaining your other nationality — if you wish to do so.

However, you must always take into account the legislation of the other country. From Athens’ point of view — there are no obstacles; you can have five passports if you want. But not all countries in the world are as liberal. For example, in some CIS countries, dual citizenship is prohibited: a well-known example is Kazakhstan, where a citizen who obtains another passport automatically loses Kazakhstani citizenship. Similarly, China and India do not recognize dual citizenship — a person must choose. Therefore, if your home country does not allow dual nationality, you will effectively have to renounce it to acquire Greek citizenship (or hide the fact, which may lead to sanctions in your country of origin).

Most countries from which immigrants come do allow dual citizenship. Greek passports are often obtained by citizens of the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, and others — without giving up their original nationality. In these cases, you become a bipatride, holding two (or more) passports. This is convenient: for example, you can travel to one country with one passport, and to another with the second if a visa is required. Also, a person with two citizenships enjoys rights (and obligations) in both countries — for instance, they may claim social support in both (pensions, healthcare — based on place of residence), do business in two jurisdictions, and choose more favorable tax regimes, provided there is a tax treaty in place.

Conclusion: Dual citizenship with Greece is not only possible, it is a common practice for thousands of naturalized citizens. Greece is a modern European country that acknowledges a person may have ties to more than one nation. For you, this means that by obtaining Greek citizenship, you lose practically nothing and only gain new rights. Nonetheless, remain within the legal frameworks of both your countries: fulfill your obligations in both, and dual citizenship will bring only benefits.

Greek citizenship is a ticket into the European family of nations and a guarantee of stability for you and your descendants. We’ve reviewed the opportunities the Greek passport offers: from visa-free travel and freedom to reside in any EU country to social benefits and quality education. Of course, the path to this status is not easy: you’ll need to invest time, effort, and patience, adapt to a new country, learn the language, and comply with all legal requirements. But in the end, the reward is a second citizenship (and possibly a second home) in a sunny and hospitable country with a rich culture.

Practical advice: Start with a consultation with an immigration lawyer. A specialist can help you analyze your situation, choose the optimal basis for citizenship, and create a step-by-step plan. Proper preparation often saves months or even years of waiting. Professional assistance in obtaining Greek citizenship includes document verification, guidance through each stage, and communication with authorities. Yes, it comes with additional costs — but it can save you from rejection and re-application (which also means more money and time). If you decide to act independently, be sure to study official instructions, lists of required documents on the Greek Ministry of Interior’s website, or consult a Greek consulate.

Frequently Asked Questions about Greek citizenship

We have compiled answers to the most common questions about obtaining Greek citizenship. If you did not find the information you were looking for or want to learn more about the requirements, timelines, and benefits of Greek passport, contact us for a free consultation.

Can I apply for Greek citizenship online or remotely?

Full electronic application for Greek citizenship is currently unavailable — the process is largely offline. The naturalization application must be submitted in person: the law requires you to sign it in the presence of officials and witnesses. This means your physical presence is mandatory. However, some steps have become more convenient: for example, you can register for the PEGP exam online and check the application status on a special portal. But the main stages (biometrics submission, interview, oath) take place in person.

Do I need to take an exam in Greek or on Greek history to obtain citizenship?

Yes, most applicants must pass a citizenship exam. It consists of two parts: a written test and an oral interview. The exam checks your Greek language proficiency (reading, writing, listening) and basic knowledge about the country — history, culture, geography, and government structure. For example, you may be asked about national holidays, key dates, famous figures, or the content of the Constitution. To pass, you need at least B1 level Greek — meaning you should confidently speak on everyday topics and understand moderately complex texts. After the written test (20 questions), you will be invited to an oral interview, where a commission will assess your integration and may ask questions in Greek as well.

Can I buy Greek citizenship through investment or payment in 2025?

No, you cannot buy Greek citizenship directly. Greece does not offer a “citizenship-by-investment” program where you pay a certain amount and immediately receive a passport. Such schemes are not supported by the European Union, and Athens does not practice them. The only possible path for investors is to obtain a residence permit through investment (Golden Visa) by meeting conditions (e.g., purchasing real estate worth €250,000–500,000), and after 7 years of residence, apply for naturalization under standard rules. But even then, you need to know the language, live in the country, and go through the regular procedure — not just pay.

Do I need to live in the country after obtaining Greek citizenship?

No, once you have obtained Greek citizenship, you are not required to live in the country to maintain your status. Citizenship is permanent. Unlike residence permits, which can be revoked due to long absences, citizenship remains valid even if you move abroad. You are free to live year-round in your home country or elsewhere — your Greek passport allows you to return to the EU anytime. In short, you do not have to reside in Greece after naturalization — it’s your right, not an obligation.

Can I obtain Greek citizenship through university studies?

Yes, but not directly. Studying at a Greek university is a basis for obtaining a residence permit, and then — if you reside in the country for at least 7 years — you may apply for citizenship through naturalization. The study itself does not accelerate the process, but it helps with integration.

Can Greek citizenship be revoked?

Only in exceptional cases. For example, if citizenship was obtained fraudulently, with forged documents, or if the person enters public service in another country without Greece’s permission.

How many times can I apply for Greek citizenship after a refusal?

An unlimited number of times. Reapplication is allowed, but only after eliminating the reasons for the initial rejection. The reapplication fee is reduced — currently €200.

What is faster — Greek permanent residence or citizenship?

Permanent residence (long-term residence permit). You can obtain it after 5 years of residence, whereas citizenship takes at least 7 years. However, a residence permit must be renewed, while citizenship is lifelong.