Greek Citizenship: Laws, Acquisition, and Rights
Greek nationality is governed by the Greek Citizenship Act, a legal framework that primarily follows the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood). This means that citizenship is fundamentally based on parentage rather than the location of birth. Under current legislation, Greece allows for dual citizenship, and every Greek national is automatically a citizen of the European Union (EU), granting them extensive rights across member states.
Key Facts
- Primary Principle: Citizenship is mainly acquired by descent (jus sanguinis).
- Dual Nationality: Greece permits citizens to hold multiple nationalities.
- EU Status: Greek citizens enjoy full European Union citizenship rights.
- Naturalization: Available for both ethnic Greeks and non-ethnic Greeks, with different requirements for each.
- Passport Strength: As of 2017, the Greek passport ranked 6th globally for visa-free access.
Acquiring Citizenship by Descent
The most common way to obtain Greek nationality is through lineage. A child born to a Greek citizen acquires citizenship automatically at birth. This right of transmission is indefinite, meaning Greeks born abroad can pass citizenship to their children across multiple generations.
Specific rules apply based on birth circumstances and residency:
- Children born in Greece: Those whose parents have lived legally and permanently in Greece for five years acquire citizenship automatically.
- Children born abroad: If parents have lived legally and permanently in Greece for five years, the child becomes a citizen upon completing six years of elementary education.
- Children born out of wedlock: Citizenship is automatic if the mother is Greek. If the father is Greek, paternity must be proven (e.g., via a paternity test), and an application must be submitted before the child turns 18.
- Adult children: A child over 18 with a Greek father can avoid the naturalization process by providing documented birth and marriage certificates proving their lineage.
Ethnic Greeks born outside of Greece who do not qualify for simple registration may seek naturalization by proving that at least one parent or grandparent was a Greek national. Note that this specific provision excludes Greek Cypriots, who may pursue Cypriot citizenship.
The Naturalization Process
Naturalization is the legal process by which a non-citizen acquires nationality. The requirements vary significantly depending on the applicant's ethnic background.
Requirements for Ethnic Greeks
An alien of Greek ethnicity must make a formal declaration of their wish to be naturalized. This must be done before a mayor or village council chairman in the presence of two Greek citizen witnesses. Alternatively, the declaration can be submitted to a Greek consul, who then forwards it to the Ministry of the Interior.
Requirements for Non-Ethnic Greeks
Applicants who are not of Greek ethnicity must reside in Greece for seven years before making their declaration. They are required to submit a formal application for naturalization to the Ministry of the Interior.
Special Cases for Naturalization
- Education: Children born in Greece to legal permanent residents, or those who complete six years of primary or secondary education, may request citizenship.
- Dependents: Unmarried children under 18 of a naturalized alien acquire citizenship upon the completion of the parent's naturalization proceedings.
- Military Service: Ethnic Greeks who enlist as volunteers or are accepted into military academies for officers or non-commissioned officers acquire nationality automatically upon entry.
- Monasticism: Under the Greek constitution, aliens admitted as monks in the monasteries of Mount Athos automatically become Greek citizens.
Loss and Renunciation of Citizenship
Generally, Greek citizens do not lose their nationality when acquiring another. However, citizenship can be lost if a person specifically requests renunciation via an application to the Ministry of Interior in Athens. For men, this is contingent upon the completion of their military duties.
Historically, Article 19 of the Greek Citizenship Code (1955) allowed the state to declare persons of non-Greek ethnic origin as having lost their citizenship if they left Greece without intending to return. Although abolished in 1998, this left many individuals stateless. While some ethnic Turks received identity documents under the 1954 U.N. Convention, and laws in 2011 and 2017 enabled naturalization for Greek Jews and their descendants, many stateless issues persisted.
Dual Citizenship and EU Rights
Greece's permissive stance on dual citizenship allows its nationals to maintain foreign passports. Even in cases where a foreign country (such as Japan) requires a choice of nationality by age 22, a renunciation made to the foreign power does not automatically terminate Greek citizenship unless requested from the Greek government.
As EU citizens, Greek nationals benefit from:
- Free Movement: The right to live and work in any EU member state under Article 21 of the EU Treaty.
- Political Rights: The right to vote in European Parliament elections.
- Consular Protection: In non-EU countries without a Greek embassy, citizens can seek protection from the embassy of any other EU member state.
Citizenship Summary Table
| Method | Primary Requirement | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Descent (Jus Sanguinis) | Greek parent | Automatic at birth |
| Naturalization (Ethnic Greek) | Declaration of intent | Two Greek witnesses required |
| Naturalization (Non-Ethnic) | 7 years residency | Application to Ministry of Interior |
| Military/Religious | Enlistment or Monasticism | Automatic upon entry/admission |
| EU Citizenship | Hold Greek nationality | Automatic EU rights |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does marrying a Greek citizen grant automatic citizenship?
No. At present, marriage does not entail the automatic acquisition or loss of Greek nationality. This is a change from the law prior to 1984, when women marrying Greek nationals became citizens automatically.
Can I hold both Greek and another citizenship?
Yes, Greek law permits dual citizenship. You can maintain your Greek nationality even if you acquire the citizenship of another country.
What happens if I am a Greek citizen in a country without a Greek embassy?
Because you are also a citizen of the European Union, you have the right to receive consular protection from the embassy of any other EU member state present in that country.
How does the "right of blood" apply to children born abroad?
Under the principle of jus sanguinis, children of Greek citizens acquire nationality automatically. This right can be transmitted from generation to generation indefinitely.
What are the travel benefits of a Greek passport?
Greek citizens enjoy significant travel freedom. In 2017, the Greek passport provided visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 171 countries and territories, ranking it 6th in the world.