# Greek citizenship by naturalisation

Ordinary naturalisation combines qualifying residence with language, civic knowledge and economic/social integration. Seven years is the main residence period, not a guarantee of citizenship or a processing estimate.

Scope: Adult naturalisation for people without Greek ancestry living lawfully in Greece; descent and expatriate ethnic-Greek routes are separate.

Jurisdiction: Greece. Sources reviewed 2026-09-17; review due 2026-12-16.

General information, not legal advice or a finding of eligibility. Requirements depend on the route, applicant and filing date. Verify the official instructions before applying.

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [Greece Ministry of Interior, General Secretariat of Citizenship: Naturalisation requirements, updated 30 January 2026](https://www.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Proypotheseis20260130.pdf). Source location: Pages 1–2: accepted titles, seven-year rule, three-year cohorts and special cases.

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [Greece Ministry of Interior; consolidation supplied by NOMOS: Greek Citizenship Code: informational consolidation through 17 September 2025](https://www.ypes.gr/kodikas-ellinikis-ithageneias/). Source location: Articles 5(1)(a)–(d), 5B and 7(5).

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [Greece Ministry of Interior, General Secretariat of Citizenship: Decision 10787 of 26 February 2025: naturalisation knowledge examination](https://www.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/apof10787-20250226.pdf); [Greece Ministry of Interior, General Secretariat of Citizenship: Application and supporting documents, updated 27 November 2024](https://www.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/202411-Dikaiologitika-20241127.pdf). Source location: Decision 10787 Article 1, page 2; application guide page 1, prerequisite.

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [Greece Ministry of Interior, General Secretariat of Citizenship: Application and supporting documents, updated 27 November 2024](https://www.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/202411-Dikaiologitika-20241127.pdf); [Greece Ministry of Interior, General Secretariat of Citizenship: Decision 10787 of 26 February 2025: naturalisation knowledge examination](https://www.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/apof10787-20250226.pdf); [Greece Ministry of Interior; consolidation supplied by NOMOS: Greek Citizenship Code: informational consolidation through 17 September 2025](https://www.ypes.gr/kodikas-ellinikis-ithageneias/). Source location: Application guide page 1: nine school grades, six secondary grades and university alternatives; Code Article 7(3)–(4); Decision 10787 Article 2, page 4: age counted by birth year and disability documents.

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [Greece Ministry of Interior, General Secretariat of Citizenship: Naturalisation requirements, updated 30 January 2026](https://www.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Proypotheseis20260130.pdf). Source location: Pages 3–4: economic/social integration, evidence periods, spouse income and disability qualification; no fixed current income amount inferred from the historical table.

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [Greece Ministry of Interior, General Secretariat of Citizenship: Application and supporting documents, updated 27 November 2024](https://www.ypes.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/202411-Dikaiologitika-20241127.pdf); [Greece Ministry of Interior; consolidation supplied by NOMOS: Greek Citizenship Code: informational consolidation through 17 September 2025](https://www.ypes.gr/kodikas-ellinikis-ithageneias/). Source location: Application guide page 1; Code Article 9(1), (3) and (5).

## 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.

Evidence: conditional. [Greece Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy in Japan: Greek citizenship: consular guidance on dual nationality](https://www.mfa.gr/missionsabroad/japan/other-services/ellenike-ithageneia.html). Source location: Final section for non-ethnic-Greek applicants, point A; not the page's outdated residence period.

## Scope and limitations

- General information, not individual eligibility advice. The Ministry's January 2026 requirements guide supplies current residence cohorts; its historical income table is not a current universal threshold.
- The Ministry labels its September 2025 Code consolidation informational. The consular dual-nationality source also contains obsolete residence guidance, which is not used here. Check the responsible Directorate and current examination instructions for the exact application and any later amendments.

## Explore this passport

- [Passport rank and travel access](https://multipassrank.com/passport/greece)
- [Tax residence & income](https://multipassrank.com/passport/greece/taxes)
- [Country-profile JSON, including sources and scoped requirements](https://multipassrank.com/api/v1/country-profiles/GR)
- [Multiple-citizenship policy guide](https://multipassrank.com/dual-citizenship-countries)

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