Greece

Last Updated: 2026-03-29

Official Portal: Ministry of Interior — Directorate of Nationality

Embassy Finder: Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Consular Network

Quick Facts

Category	Detail
Residency for citizenship	7 years legal residence (standard)
Language requirement	Yes — Greek language exam (B1 level)
Cultural knowledge	Yes — Greek history and civic knowledge test
Processing time	12-36 months (naturalization); Golden Visa: 2-6 months
Application fee	~700 EUR (naturalization); ~2,000 EUR (Golden Visa)
Dual citizenship	Yes — fully permitted, no restrictions

Dual Citizenship

Yes. Greece fully permits dual and multiple citizenship. Greek citizens are not required to renounce other nationalities when acquiring or retaining Greek citizenship, and Greeks do not lose their nationality by acquiring another. This applies to naturalization, descent, marriage, and all other acquisition routes.

Greek citizenship equals EU citizenship — holders have the right to live, work, study, and vote in all 27 EU member states.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli)

Greece does not apply automatic birthright citizenship (jus soli). Children born in Greece to foreign national parents do not automatically acquire Greek citizenship. However, there is a conditional pathway:

Children born in Greece to foreign parents who have been legally resident in Greece for at least 5 years before the birth may be enrolled in Greek schools; after completing Greek primary or secondary school and upon reaching 18, they may declare Greek citizenship.
As of Code of Greek Citizenship reforms (Law 4332/2015 and subsequent amendments), children of legal immigrants who complete at least 6 years of Greek schooling may acquire citizenship by declaration.

By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

Greek descent citizenship is robust and applies across generations:

First generation:

Any person born to at least one Greek parent (father or mother) is a Greek citizen by birth, regardless of the country of birth.
Registration at a Greek consulate or municipality is required to activate the citizenship in the national registry, but the entitlement exists from birth.

Second generation and beyond (diaspora):

Grandchildren and beyond can acquire Greek citizenship through documented descent.
The applicant must prove Greek ancestry through birth certificates, church baptism records, passport records, or other official documents.
There is no generational cutoff — descent is traceable as far back as documentation allows.
Greek Orthodox Church records are frequently used to prove lineage, as civil registry records in Greece date to the early 20th century.

Important: Greeks who emigrated historically — particularly to the United States, Australia, Germany, Canada, and South Africa — produced large diaspora communities. Many descendants who have never set foot in Greece are legally entitled to Greek citizenship through documented descent.

By Adoption

Children legally adopted by a Greek citizen acquire Greek citizenship automatically upon completion of adoption, regardless of their country of birth or original nationality. The adoption must be recognized under Greek law.

By Marriage

A foreign national married to a Greek citizen does not acquire Greek citizenship automatically. Marriage creates a preferred pathway to naturalization:

After 3 years of valid marriage (reduced from the standard 7-year residency), the foreign spouse may apply for naturalization by declaration if they reside in Greece.
The couple must still be married at the time of application.
No minimum physical presence in Greece is required if the marriage has been maintained, but the applicant must demonstrate ties to Greece.
Standard language and integration requirements apply.

Note: A Greek-issued marriage certificate is required. Common-law partnerships do not qualify.

By Naturalization (Residency)

Standard requirement: 7 years of continuous and legal residence in Greece.

Additional requirements:

Greek language proficiency: B1 level (intermediate — written and oral exam)
Civic knowledge test: Greek history, culture, and political system (multiple choice exam administered by special committees)
No criminal record: No felony conviction in Greece or abroad
Must not be subject to deportation proceedings
Proof of genuine integration (employment, tax records, social contributions)
Annual tax returns demonstrating legal income during the residency period

Application authority: Decentralized Administrations (regional government bodies) accept applications; final decision by the Ministry of Interior.

Reduced Residency Categories

Category	Residency Requirement	Notes
Spouse of Greek citizen	3 years (marriage pathway)	Must reside in Greece; marriage must be subsisting
Parent of Greek minor citizen	3 years	Parent must have legal custody
Person born in Greece	7 years (standard)	No reduction unless enrolled in Greek schools
Recognized refugee / stateless person	3 years	Subject to Refugee Law
EU citizens	5 years permanent residence	Right to naturalize after 5 years under EU Directive
Persons of Greek descent (Omogeneis)	May qualify for expedited recognition	Documentation of Greek origin required

Preferred Pathways

Omogeneis — Persons of Greek Origin Abroad

Greece recognizes a special category of persons of Greek ethnic origin (Omogeneis) — ethnic Greeks who reside in countries that were historically part of the Greek world or in the Greek diaspora.

Greek Orthodox communities in Turkey, Egypt, and former Soviet states: Ethnic Greeks from these communities have historically been eligible for expedited nationality recognition.
Repatriation from former communist countries (Pontic Greeks, Albanians of Greek origin): Law 2790/2000 and subsequent legislation facilitated naturalization for ethnic Greeks expelled from former Soviet territories; processes have been substantially completed but the legal framework remains.

Where Greek Citizenship Opens Doors

Destination	Benefit	Legal Basis
All 27 EU member states	Full freedom to live, work, and study	EU Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)
Schengen Area (26 states)	Visa-free movement without border controls	Schengen Agreement
United Kingdom	No visa required for short stays (post-Brexit)	UK-Greece bilateral arrangement
United States	Visa Waiver Program (ESTA, 90 days)	US Visa Waiver Program
187+ countries	Visa-free or visa-on-arrival	Henley Passport Index #7 globally

Special Clauses & Programs

Diaspora Citizenship Recognition

Status: Active (ongoing)

Greece actively supports the Greek diaspora’s connection to the homeland. Greek Orthodox communities in Australia, the United States, Germany, Canada, and South Africa are particularly large. The Greek consular network processes descent-based citizenship applications globally.

Key tip: Greek surnames ending in “-opoulos,” “-akis,” “-idis,” “-oglou” (the last being of Rum/Greek-Turkish origin) are strong indicators of Greek ancestry. Church baptism records from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Australia, etc. are accepted as supporting documentation.

Special Electoral Roll for Diaspora

Greek citizens living abroad have the right to vote in national elections (since 2019 referendum). This extends the political rights of citizenship to diaspora members who may never have lived in Greece.

Investment Pathways

Citizenship by Investment (CBI)

Status: Not Available.

Greece does not offer direct citizenship by investment. There is no investment amount that grants citizenship. The path from investment to citizenship runs through the Golden Visa residency program, followed by 7 years of residency and a standard naturalization application (language exam, civic test, integration requirements).

Golden Visa / Residency by Investment (RBI)

Status: Active — investment thresholds raised in 2023 and 2024

Greece’s Golden Visa is a Residence Permit by Investment program that grants a 5-year renewable residency permit. It is one of Europe’s most popular residency by investment programs and provides a pathway to EU citizenship through naturalization after 7 years.

Legal basis: Law 4251/2014 (as amended by Laws 4825/2021 and 5100/2024)

Investment Options & Thresholds (Current as of 2024-2025)

Investment Type	Threshold	Notes
Real estate (high-demand zones)	800,000 EUR	Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and regional units with population >3,100
Real estate (rest of Greece)	400,000 EUR	Lower-demand areas, islands with pop. <3,100, other mainland regions
Real estate (conversion to residential)	250,000 EUR	Commercial properties converted to residential use; or restoration of listed buildings
Timeshare / hotel accommodation	400,000 EUR	Hotel or tourist accommodation investment
Government bonds / corporate bonds	800,000 EUR	Greek State bonds with remaining maturity of 3+ years
Bank deposits	400,000 EUR	Deposit in a Greek bank
Investment fund shares	350,000 EUR	Shares in UCITS or alternative investment funds registered in Greece
Company shares / equity	800,000 EUR	Investment in a Greek company employing at least 10 people

Important 2024 updates: The high-demand real estate threshold was raised to EUR 800,000 (from EUR 500,000) effective August 2024 in Athens and Thessaloniki metropolitan areas, plus Mykonos and Santorini, to cool housing markets. The EUR 400,000 threshold remains for the rest of Greece.

Key Program Terms


Permit duration	5 years, renewable indefinitely (no expiration while investment is maintained)
Physical presence to maintain permit	Zero days per year — the permit is maintained purely by keeping the investment
Physical presence for citizenship	Must demonstrate genuine ties; 7 years of registered residence
Family inclusion	Spouse or civil partner; children under 21; parents of applicant and spouse; all receive the same 5-year permit
Path to citizenship	7 years of legal residency → standard naturalization (language exam + civic test)
Travel document	Greek residence permit card; not a passport; does NOT grant Schengen-area freedom of movement to third-country nationals during the permit period

Critical distinction: The Greek Golden Visa residency permit does NOT give the holder (as a non-EU national) visa-free travel through Schengen. They can live in Greece but not travel freely through other Schengen countries on the permit alone. Only upon acquiring Greek citizenship do full EU rights apply.

Citizenship after Golden Visa — The Full Timeline

Year 0: Purchase qualifying real estate (e.g., EUR 800,000 property in Athens)
Year 0-6 months: Golden Visa application; receive 5-year residence permit
Years 0-7: Maintain investment; register as resident; file Greek tax returns; demonstrate genuine ties
Year 7: Apply for naturalization (language exam B1, civic test, criminal check)
Year 8-9 (estimated): Naturalization approved; receive Greek passport; EU citizenship active

Minimum total investment path to EU citizenship: EUR 400,000 (real estate in low-demand zone) + government fees + legal fees (~EUR 15,000-30,000) + 7 years of patience.

Government Fees (Golden Visa)

Fee	Amount
Application fee (main applicant)	EUR 2,000
Application fee (family member)	EUR 1,000 per person
Renewal fee	EUR 2,000 (main) + EUR 1,000 (each family member)
Biometrics & processing	EUR 300

Recent Changes & Controversies

Housing crisis concerns: The Greek government raised thresholds in stages (2023: EUR 500K in key areas; 2024: EUR 800K) due to foreign buyers driving up property prices in Athens and the islands, making housing unaffordable for locals.
Demand remains strong: Despite threshold increases, Greece’s Golden Visa remains one of the most popular in Europe due to low non-investment fees, no physical presence requirement, and the ultimate prize of EU citizenship.
Schengen limitation: The Schengen residence card limitation (above) is a significant disadvantage vs. programs in Malta or Cyprus (EU citizenship directly).
Processing backlog: Application processing has been significantly delayed due to high volume; 2024 processing times of 6-12 months are common.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Greece has historically been a difficult business environment, but significant reforms since 2015-2020 have improved the landscape. The combination of EU membership, Schengen access, Mediterranean quality of life, and comparatively low operating costs creates opportunities for entrepreneurs who can navigate the bureaucracy.

Company Formation


Most common entity	IKE (Idiotiki Kefalaiouchiki Etaireia — Private Capital Company) or EPE (Limited Liability)
Formation timeline	3-10 business days via e-EFKA / General Commercial Registry (GEMI)
Minimum capital	EUR 1 (IKE); EUR 4,500 (EPE)
Online registration	Yes — via the General Commercial Registry (GEMI)
Foreign ownership	100% allowed

The IKE (Private Capital Company, Law 4072/2012) is the modern equivalent of an LLC and is the preferred vehicle for startups and foreign entrepreneurs. Minimum capital of EUR 1, simple governance, and rapid formation make it the go-to structure.

Tax Overview


Corporate income tax	22% (reduced from 29% in 2020)
Dividend withholding tax	5%
Capital gains tax	15% (listed securities); taxed as income otherwise
Personal income tax (top rate)	44% (on income >EUR 40,000; 22% on EUR 10-20K; 29% on EUR 20-30K)
VAT (standard rate)	24% (13% reduced; 6% super-reduced)
Social insurance	~13.87% employer; ~13.87% employee
Property transfer tax	3.09% of property value
Annual property tax (ENFIA)	Based on property size and location

Alternative Tax Regime for Foreign Retirees (Article 5B):

Flat 7% annual tax on worldwide income for qualifying foreign pensioners who transfer tax residency to Greece
Requires residing in Greece for fewer than 7 of the last 12 years
Valid for 15 years
Designed to attract wealthy retirees; does not apply to employment income

Alternative Tax Regime for High-Net-Worth Individuals (Article 5A):

Flat EUR 100,000 per year tax on all worldwide income
Requires transferring tax residency to Greece
Valid for 15 years (with EUR 20,000 per additional family member)
Requires investing EUR 500,000+ in Greek real estate, businesses, or securities within 3 years

Non-Dom regime: Greece introduced a non-dom tax regime in 2020 specifically targeting high-net-worth investors. Competitors to Portugal’s NHR and Italy’s non-dom EUR 100K flat tax.

Banking & Financial Infrastructure


Currency	Euro (EUR)
Major banks	National Bank of Greece, Eurobank, Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank
Fintech access	Revolut, Wise, N26 fully operational in Greece
Capital controls	Fully lifted (last restrictions removed in 2023 after 2015 financial crisis)
SEPA	Yes — instant SEPA transfers

Opening a Greek bank account as a non-resident requires an AFM (Greek tax number) — obtainable at any local tax office with a passport. Golden Visa holders and residents can open accounts with standard KYC documentation.

Key Programs & Incentives

Development Law 4887/2022 — Investment incentives including tax exemptions (up to 10 years), cash grants (10-55% of eligible costs), and leasing subsidies for investments in manufacturing, technology, tourism, energy, and logistics
InvestGR — Investment facilitation office; fast-track licensing for strategic investments >EUR 3M (30-business-day decision guarantee)
Startup Greece (EIT Digital Hub Athens) — Government-backed startup ecosystem; grants, mentoring, access to EIC Accelerator funds
Elevate Greece — Registry of Greek innovative startups; qualifying companies access EU Horizon funding, ESPA grants, and government procurement priority
Hellenic Development Bank (HDB) — State development bank; SME loans, venture capital fund-of-funds
Special Economic Zone of Piraeus (SEZ) — Investment incentives in the port zone; logistics, manufacturing, distribution
COSME / Horizon Europe grants — As an EU member, Greece-based companies have full access to EU-wide grant programs

Loss of Nationality

Voluntary Renunciation

A Greek citizen may renounce citizenship voluntarily by submitting a declaration to the competent Greek authority (typically the relevant decentralized administration or consulate), provided they already hold another nationality and will not become stateless. Renunciation does not require any waiting period and is processed administratively.

Involuntary Loss

Under the Code of Greek Citizenship (Law 3284/2004 as amended), Greek citizenship may be lost in limited circumstances:

Voluntary service in a foreign military force hostile to Greece (requires formal declaration of loss by the Minister of Interior)
Acquisition of a foreign nationality combined with a voluntary act of disloyalty to Greece — note that mere acquisition of foreign nationality does NOT cause automatic loss (dual citizenship is fully permitted)
Minors who are adopted by foreign nationals and acquire a foreign nationality may, in limited circumstances, lose Greek citizenship upon reaching majority if they do not formally affirm it

Involuntary deprivation on grounds of political opinion or ethnic origin is unconstitutional and prohibited.

Recovery / Resumption

Greeks who lost citizenship by renunciation may reacquire it by declaration after returning to Greece and establishing residence, provided they do not pose a public policy risk.
Children who lost citizenship during a parent’s naturalization abroad may reacquire upon reaching 18 by filing a declaration with the Greek consulate.
Ethnic Greeks (Omogeneis) who were never registered as citizens but can prove descent may register at any time.

Practical Guide

Documents Needed

For Golden Visa (Real Estate):

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Notarized purchase contract and title deed (from Land Registry / Cadastre)
Certificate of Greek real estate registry (Ktimatologio)
Payment evidence (bank wire transfers from personal account)
AFM (Greek tax number) — obtainable before purchase
Proof of health insurance valid in Greece
Biometric photographs
Completed application form

For Naturalization:

Birth certificate (apostilled and officially translated to Greek)
Valid passport
Proof of 7 years continuous legal residence (residence permits, tax filings, utility bills)
Criminal record certificate (from Greece and all prior countries of residence)
Greek tax registration (AFM) and tax clearance certificate
AMKA (Greek social security number)
Greek language certificate (B1 level minimum — e.g., from University of Athens Language Centre)
Civic knowledge exam (administered by regional committee)
Proof of economic self-sufficiency

Where to Submit

Golden Visa: Enterprise Greece Golden Visa Portal — online application; biometrics at Aliens & Immigration departments
Naturalization: Decentralized Administration of applicant’s region of residence
Descent-based citizenship: Greek consulate in country of residence, or Municipality of Ancestor’s registered domicile
From abroad: Greek embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of residence

Processing Time

Application Type	Timeline
Golden Visa (new)	2-6 months (backlog in 2024-2025)
Golden Visa (renewal)	1-3 months
Naturalization	12-36 months
Descent-based (documented)	6-18 months
Marriage-based	6-18 months

Fees

Item	Cost
Golden Visa application (main applicant)	EUR 2,000
Golden Visa (each family member)	EUR 1,000
Naturalization application	EUR 700
Language certificate (B1 exam)	EUR 100-200
Document translation (per document)	EUR 30-80
Apostille (per document)	EUR 15-25
Notary fees (property purchase)	~1-2% of property value
Golden Visa total estimate (gov fees)	~EUR 3,000-5,000
Naturalization total estimate	~EUR 1,500-3,000

Portugal — EU Golden Visa, Schengen, descent pathways
Spain — EU citizenship, Sephardic law of return
Italy — EU citizenship, descent pathway (no generational limit)
Turkey — CBI program, Greece’s eastern neighbor
Cyprus — EU citizenship, Eastern Mediterranean

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