Greek citizenship by naturalisation

Residence period depends on status

The main rule is seven consecutive lawful years with an accepted residence title. Other valid titles generally require twelve; temporary titles are not accepted. EU citizens, stateless people, parents with custody of a Greek-national child born in Greece, and spouses of Greek citizens with a child have a three-year route. Birth with continuous residence in Greece and specified diplomatic-spouse cases have further exceptions. A residence investment is not automatic citizenship.

Personal and status conditions

Applicants must be adults and satisfy the criminal-record, lawful-status and public-order/security conditions. Deportation or unresolved lawful-stay status can prevent approval. Time as a foreign diplomatic or administrative official does not count toward the residence period.

Greek language and civic knowledge

The PEGP examination assesses understanding and production of spoken and written Greek at a level analogous to B1, alongside geography, history, culture and political institutions. Obtain the knowledge certificate before applying unless an educational exemption applies; a residence permit's language requirement is not a substitute.

Educational exemptions and oral assessment

Specified Greek-school completion or Greek-language Greek-university qualifications exempt applicants from PEGP. The age-62 cohort, applicants with KEPA-certified disability of at least 67%, and applicants with qualifying diagnosed learning difficulties preventing a written test can use a special oral examination instead; this is not a blanket exemption from knowledge requirements. Documentation and the exam authority's age-calculation rules apply.

Income and integration evidence

Economic integration includes adequate income and tax/social-insurance compliance. Evidence normally covers at least five years for the seven-year route, three for the three-year route, and seven for the twelve-year route. Household and disability provisions qualify the income assessment; stable social ties must also be demonstrated.

Application and completion

Apply to the regional Citizenship Directorate for the place of residence with the prescribed documents. Following approval, citizenship is acquired by taking the oath within one year of publication; missing that deadline revokes the decision. Physical-disability accommodations can allow an oath at home or by video.

Keeping an existing nationality

Greek consular guidance says Greece accepts dual nationality. This does not establish whether another country lets the applicant retain its citizenship, or resolve an individual's military, renunciation or nationality-loss obligations.