Foreign nationals of Greek descent not born in the Hellenic Republic are entitled to lawfully stake a claim to Greek citizenship through an ancestor born in Greece.

Most people who exercise this option are non-EU citizens seeking a legal avenue to live and work in Greece or another country in the EU. It is unnecessary and redundant for EU citizens to apply for dual citizenship with Greece, since there is free movement between the majority of the 27 member states. Only citizens from Romania and Bulgaria are restricted by Greece until the end of 2008.

Be aware that males between the ages of 19 and 45 who take Greek citizenship will be obligated to serve mandatory service in the Greek military (see “Greek Military Service” for details).

The nature of citizenship

Who is eligible for Greek citizenship? Citizenship is granted to a person who is:

a) Born in Greece to at least one parent of Greek origin,
or
b) a child or grandchild that can stake a claim to an ancestor born in Greece,
or
c) a longtime legal non-Greek resident of Greece that meets a number of requirements and goes through the naturalization process.

Greek citizenship is determined by origin and naturalization, not birth in the country. This means a child born in Greece to two parents of no Greek origin is not entitled to Greek citizenship, but may apply on his/her 18th birthday.

Greek citizenship is also not transferable. Therefore, marrying a Greek citizen does not automatically grant a non-EU spouse the privilege of Greek citizenship or a Greek passport or a Greek national ID. You must be of Greek origin yourself or go through the naturalization process. Articles pertaining to non-EU spouses of Greek citizens are, “Residence/work permits for non-EU family members of Greek citizens” and “Greek citizenship through naturalization.”

Children born outside Greece to Greek parents/ancestors

The act of being born to at least one parent/ancestor of Greek origin does not mean you have Greek citizenship if you were born outside of Greece.

Your parents/grandparents must have applied for Greek citizenship on your behalf and given a certificate by the Hellenic Republic that confirms as such, if you did not apply for it yourself. Being registered in the family’s oikogeneiaki merida only means that a record of your birth and relationship were established by your parents/grandparents, thus making it easier for you to stake a claim to citizenship later in life IF that is your intention. It is not assumed that everyone entitled to Greek citizenship actually wants it.

This applies in reverse, as well. e.g. A child born in Greece to my fiancé (Greek) and I (American) has the option to hold dual Greek/U.S. citizenship, however there is no way the USA can know if (s)he wants citizenship or not, unless I apply at the American Embassy in Athens and have it processed. Further, we can also decide against having the Hellenic Republic grant our child Greek citizenship.

Dual citizenship with Greece

Many countries allow dual citizenship, including the USA. It is of vital importance that you check with authorities who can provide you with official printed literature regarding your country’s stance on dual citizenship before beginning the process and possibly violating laws that will cause your current citizenship to be revoked.

Please see “American and Greek dual citizenship” for details specific to Americans and advice to citizens of other countries.

The following documents are necessary of all applicants, regardless of current nationality and location:

1. A certified copy of your printed birth certificate

2. A certified copy of your certificate of christening/baptism

3. A certified copy of your marriage certificate (if any)

4. A photocopy of your passport, which must be valid

5. Father’s birth certificate from the city (if outside Greece) or the municipality, where he was born and registered (in Greece).
or
5. Mother’s birth certificate from the city (if outside Greece) or the municipality, where she was born and registered (in Greece).
* As of 1984, if a child does not have a Greek father, (s)he can stake a claim to Greek citizenship if the mother is Greek and has Greek citizenship. Some say that one can claim citizenship through any ancestor in Greece as long as birth records could be found (aka, not destroyed in various wars), but I have found no official literature that states this.

6. Parents’ marriage certificate from the church and marriage registration certificate from the city registrar (if outside Greece) or the municipality where their marriage was registered (in Greece).

If your father or mother was not born and registered in Greece, then you also need:

7. Grandfather’s certificate of registration from the municipality, where he was born and registered.
* Conflicting information: It has been said that individuals can claim Greek citizenship through a great-grandfather born in Greece if the father, mother and grandfather were not, but I was unable to confirm this with an official source and I know no one who has done this successfully (yet). I only know people who tried this and were denied.

8. Grandparents’ marriage certificate from the municipality, where it was registered

Note: Applicants from the same family are strongly advised to submit their papers together to save time.

Apostilles and translations

All documents from a country outside of Greece must contain an apostille. If you need information about apostilles and where to secure them, please see “How to get an apostille.”

After all apostilles have been applied, all documents not already in Greek must be translated into Greek by:
a) The Greek Consulate of your homeland,
b) the Foreign Ministry in Athens, Greece
or
c) a lawyer.

If you need information about translations, please see “Translation of documents for EU, non-EU and Greek citizens.”

What you do not need

Unlike individuals of non-Greek origin, you will NOT need to pass an interview, pay 1500 euros or prove:

- Fluency in the Greek language
- Residency in Greece for several years
- Knowledge of ancient Greek history and culture
- Possession of a suitable home
- Good moral character
- A health certificate or fingerprints

Ironically, I know a lot of non-Greek citizens who speak more Greek and know more about history, mythology and culture than many of Greek origin staking a claim to Greek citizenship. Some Greek citizens have never even been to Greece.

Do I need a lawyer?

In the opinion of those who have already been through the process, the answer is ‘no.’ My experience over 10 years is to hire a lawyer, only if there is a threat of going to jail, to court or for highly complicated matters. Citizenship — much like getting visas and permits — is a straightforward process that only requires a bit of patience.

Retaining a lawyer is likely a waste of money for two reasons:

a) This is Greece — If you have followed the instructions and provided all the necessary documents, all you can do is wait. This country has its own schedule and personality, meaning what is true for one person may not be true for another under the same circumstances and variables.

b) How can you verify whether a lawyer achieved something you couldn’t have gotten on your own for free? — It is difficult to judge whether a person has genuine influence or knowledge until after you hire him/her and pay money that will not be refunded if proved otherwise.

c) There are lawyers/attorneys who take advantage of citizens abroad by claiming they are versed on citizenship issues, charge exorbitant fees and must be pressed to do their job over many months. If they’re advertising themselves in the newspaper and on the Internet, how good could they be? The best attorneys are busy and don’t do this.

If hiring a lawyer makes you feel better, that is your choice. My advice is to beware of those advertising themselves on the Internet; it is better to select one from an Embassy list, which gives you the right to complain should something go wrong.

In my experience and that of others, connections make a much bigger difference (see “Case studies” at the end of this article).

To apply for Greek citizenship in Greece

After gathering your documents, you need to go in person to pick up or call to request an application (Aitisi Politografisis) be sent from any City Hall or Mayor’s office (Dimarxeio) or the Interior Ministry in Athens. This is Greece; there is no online form.

The application is eight pages in length and must be filled out in Greek, with the exception of your name that can be in Latin letters if written this way in your passport. I highly advise reviewing the application first, making a copy and gathering any information you do not immediately know on the photocopy before filling in the original. Liquid paper is used, but frowned upon unless applied by a public sector employee.

Take the completed application and your accompanying documents to your local municipality’s City Hall or Mayor’s office to complete the next step.

To apply for Greek citizenship outside of Greece

Applications are provided and accepted at all Greek Consulates and Embassies abroad, which are authorized by the Hellenic Republic to accept and forward citizenship applications to Greece. If your citizenship application is approved, this is also where you will be invited to take your oath.

I highly advise reviewing the lengthy application to be completed in Greek (with the exception of your name, which can be in Latin letters, the same as your passport), making a copy and gathering any information you do not immediately know on the photocopy before filling in the original. Liquid paper is used, but frowned upon unless applied by a consular or public sector employee.

Most locations require that you appear in person and/or may offer alternative methods of applying should you not be able to appear in person or if the location is some distance away.

All applicants are advised to call in advance in case appointments are required to submit your application and documents.

What happens next?

- The Greek Consulate (if outside Greece) or local municipality (in Greece) forwards the application to the local prefecture, where officials will forward it to the regional general secretary for approval if everything is in order.

- If approved, a copy of the applicant’s Type A criminal record certificate is requested from the Justice Ministry. Criminal record from your homeland and Greece have bearing.

- The application is then forwarded to the Interior Ministry for review.

- If the application is approved, it will be published in the Government Gazette and the applicant will be invited by letter to take an oath. The letter will be sent either to your home (in Greece) or via the Greek Consulate where you applied (if outside Greece), which will then notify you.

- The applicant is required to take an oath within one (1) year of the decision’s publication date.
* Conflicting information: I know several people who have never taken an oath.

- Your Greek citizenship certificate must be filed with your family’s oikogeneiaki merida, normally wherever their politika dikeomata are officially registered in Greece. If your family does not have one set up, you can set one up after the process has ended — Greeks abroad can do it through their Greek Consulate/Embassy and those in Greece can do this through their municipality’s City Hall or Mayor’s Office.

- The new Greek citizen can then apply for a Greek passport and Greek national ID (tautotita), though many dual citizens choose not to acquire a Greek passport since they deem their American, Australian and Canadian passport as carrying more power and, on the whole, require fewer visas (Greece was visited by U.S. homeland security in February 2008 to perhaps be a part of the U.S. waiver program, but is NOT right now and there is no planned date). I know dozens of Greek-Americans who carry only an American passport for entry to non-EU countries and a Greek national ID with Latin letters for entry to EU countries.

A Greek national ID (tautotita) is only useful if you are a permanent full-time resident of Greece, since a passport from any country is widely accepted for all private and official transactions.

Processing time for Greek citizenship

The entire citizenship process from submitting your application to receiving an answer (approval or denial) could be up to 2-3 years, which I’m told is an improvement compared to the waiting time of 4-9 years for many non-Greek citizens.

What if I’m denied?

The applicant will be told on what grounds the decision was made to deny Greek citizenship. If the applicant has proof to the contrary, the Interior Ministry or Greek Consulate will advise you about how to proceed. Otherwise, the decision stands.

If the passage of time helps you meet requirements that were previously grounds for denial, reapplying is allowed and you should consult with municipality or consular officials.

If the passage of time does not change anything (i.e. you were rejected based on criminal record, an infectious disease or the absence of a close Greek ancestor), applying again is unlikely to change anything and hiring a lawyer would be a waste of time and money. Connections count much more in the way of influence.

Case studies of people I know

As I am against securing Greek citizenship for myself and future children, and my fiancé is already a Greek citizen by birth, I will tell you about four people who successfully completed the Greek citizenship process, as a way to illustrate the mysterious workings of Greece. They were interviewed at length and are reliable sources.

Case 1: Alex

Alex was born in America, all of his parents, grandparents and great grandparents were born in Greece, and the entire family left the USA to move back to Athens, Greece before he was a teenager. After 10 years of living in Greece, he personally staked a claim to Greek citizenship through his father.

He waited two (2) years for the letter of approval, took the oath and got his papers. Years later, he was drafted. He holds an American passport and chooses to never have a Greek passport (”What’s the point?).

Case 2: Anna

Anna was born in America, only her father was born in Greece, and her parents still reside in the USA. She speaks no Greek, knows nothing about Greek history and had never been to Greece when this occurred in December 2005. Her aunt gathered Anna’s documents, filled in the application and submitted everything to the local municipality where she has connections.

She waited eight months for the letter of approval, never took the oath and got her papers from her aunt. She has a Greek ID (again, through her aunt) and Greek passport for reasons she hasn’t thought through, she just does.

Anna lives in America with her parents, and visited Greece for the first time in summer 2007.

Case 3: Michalis

Michalis was born in America, both of his parents were born in Greece, and his parents left him in the USA in college when they went back to Kefallonia to start a business. During an extended stay of 6 months (a no-no if claiming a foreign domicile with the Greek military) to visit his parents, the police came to the house and drafted him into the army, even though he had no Greek passport, no Greek national ID and no Greek citizenship claim pending. He served his military time, then went back to the USA.

While living and working in the USA, Michalis’ parents in Greece gathered his documents, completed his application and submitted everything through a connection. It took less than six (6) months to receive the letter of approval, he has never taken the oath and got his papers. He holds a Greek ID and an American passport and never plans on applying for a Greek passport, saying “it’s useless — my American one does everything, and I consider myself an American.”

Michalis lives, works and has a family in Athens, but is contemplating a move back to America.

Case 4: Fotis

Fotis was born in Australia, but emigrated to America with his parents when he was a child. His grandparents were born in Greece and his parents in Australia, although his father has since claimed Greek citizenship. In 2006, Fotis decided to stake a claim to citizenship at the Greek Consulate, but found they were not cooperative and would not accept or send his application to Greece.

That summer, he submitted his application and supporting documents during a visit to Greece and was given a protocol number. He has followed up every few months, but is only told that “it’s being processed” and no further information is available. So he waits. As of February 2008, he is still waiting.

* More case studies will be added as more people come forward to share their story.

Contact information in Greece

Interior Ministry Citizenship Office
31 Stadiou Street
(210) 324-9683
(210) 324-9465 alternate
(210) 324-9314 alternate
www.ypes.gr

Foreign Ministry Citizen Information Office
3 Akadimias Street
(210) 368-2700
www.mfa.gr

KEP (Citizen Services Center)
www.kep.gov.gr

* Be aware that Web sites are primarily in Greek and often not dependable, since information is not updated on a continuing basis. It is advised that you visit the office in person or call.

Contact information abroad

List of Greek Consulates Abroad

Translation of the Greek Citizenship Code

Important Disclaimer

I provided this article purely as a guide to gathering your documents and the process, in general. I am not a representative of the Greek state, and I received different answers from different people at the Greek Consulate, Interior Ministry, Foreign Ministry and KEP (citizen service center), so I was unable to resolve the conflicting information, which I disclosed for you above with asterisks (*).

It is important for you to know that there is conflicting information from various newspapers, forums, articles written by lawyers, other unofficial sources and translations of printed literature here in Athens.

I highly advise you contact:
a) The Greek Consulate/Embassy in your homeland, or
b) The Interior Ministry in Athens, Greece for official information. Each case is highly unique, and a friend’s or relative’s experience may be not be relevant to you.

Related posts

“Ways to acquire Greek citizenship“
“EU citizenship via ancestry or naturalization“
“Mandatory military obligations for males of Greek descent“

* Article updated March 12, 2008

Everyone with Greek citizenship is entitled to a Greek national ID, Greek identity (ID) card or tautotita, although only those permanently living in Greece really need one.

Used in all public and private transactions, it is required to get an AFM (tax number), secure a bank account or credit card, sign a contract (lease, work, phone subscription, utility bills, purchase a home), take part in examinations, enroll in school or a university, see a state doctor, register for state insurance, collect unemployment, get married, etc.

Unlike other countries, the possession of a Greek national ID (tautotita) does not hold a higher or more exclusive status, since all of the same transactions mentioned above can easily be performed with a passport from any country.

All residents and visitors to Greece should carry some form of identification at all times. Failure to produce proof at the request of law enforcement officials could lead to temporary detention, while your identity is established and verified.

Yesterday and today

Greek ID cards (tautotites) used to be handwritten and only in Greek. Since 2000, they were changed to Greek and Latin characters to facilitate travel within the European Union without a passport.

In 2005, two further changes were made. The process of issuing a Greek ID was simplified, thus cutting the wait time from one year to a few minutes, and the mandatory age to get a Greek ID (tautotita) was changed from 14 to 12 years.

Although the Greek ID is now bilingual and printed, it no longer has a fingerprint and lists no religious affiliation or spouse’s name. In the future, it may morph into a credit card sized ID with a security swipe strip on the back after EU-wide biometric ID debates conclude. France, Germany, Italy and Spain have already phased in electronic cards.

It is technically not a “European” or EU ID, it is a Greek ID concerned with designating a person by nationality not by continent. All European countries have their own unique ID for their respective citizens.

(Rumor refuted by reality: A well-known media outlet reported that Greek males who do not possess a Greek national ID or passport cannot be drafted by the military, however I have found this untrue in reality. Plenty of foreign residents of Greek origin living permanently abroad have been drafted by overstaying the terms of their certificate during vacation in Greece, without even having citizenship or being registered in an oikogeneiaki merida.)

Where do I go?

Greek ID cards are issued in person by local police stations on behalf of the Ministry of Public Order. Call ‘11888′ for the station nearest you or look in your map book, which lists all addresses by municipality.

If you are outside Greece, calling a Greek Consulate is more relevant.

Getting your first Greek national ID

First:

1. Go to the police station and set an appointment to issue a Greek national ID.

2. Police may or may not ask you to fill out and sign a dilosi (statement of facts) stating your intention to secure a new ID.

On the specified date and time of your appointment, bring:

1. A certified birth certificate, which specifically states that it will be used for the issuance of your ID, from your oikogeniaki merida (municipality where your family’s papers are deposited and the place you vote in elections) issued within 90 days of application; or if you are a naturalized citizen, both a certified printed birth certificate from your homeland and the Greek citizenship certificate (a photocopy and the original for inspection).

* A legal guardian must accompany a minor.

2. A document stating your blood type, issued by a private doctor, lab or IKA

3. Four (4) black and white passport photos, showing your entire face and an expression that is neither smiling or frowning.

4. 0.30 euro cents hartosimo

Replacing an outdated or stolen ID

First:

1. Go to the police station and fill out a dilosi (statement of facts) that states your intention to cancel and issue a replacement ID. Or if your ID was stolen, you must present evidence of this fact and give a statement under which it occurred. If it concerns a name change, bring documentation of this fact.
- Police will provide you with a dilosi and tell you what to write in all cases

2. Set an appointment to issue a new/updated Greek national ID

3. Hand over your current Greek ID to police. *Make a front and back copy if you wish for sentimental purposes before going to the police station since you will never get it back AND make sure you won’t need it for any transactions or have other means of ID (passport, driver’s license).

On the specified date and time of your appointment, bring:

1. A certified birth certificate, which specifically states that it will be used for the issuance of your ID, from your oikogeniaki merida (municipality where your family’s papers are deposited and the place you vote in Greek elections); or if you are a naturalized/repatriated citizen, both a certified printed birth certificate from your homeland and your Greek citizenship certificate (a photocopy and the original for inspection)

* A legal guardian must accompany a minor.

2. A document stating your blood type, issued by a private doctor, lab or IKA

3. Four (4) black and white passport photos, showing your entire face and an expression that is neither smiling or frowning.

4. 0.30 euro cents hartosimo or 9 euros hartosimo if your ID was lost or suffered wear and tear due to being abused (forces of nature, such as earthquake, shipwreck, etc. are excluded)

What happens next?

Police stamp, verify and enter the information into a computer, three copies of a form are printed out and the new ID is created while you wait. You sign the papers and ID card, which is then laminated and given to you.

If you were reissuing an updated or new ID to replace a former one, a completely new ID number will be assigned — you do not keep the same number. However, the old and new numbers are cross-referenced to identify you as the owner of both. The old card is held on file.

There is no expiration date.

What information does it list?

Front side:
Photo
Blood type (A, B, AB or O)
Rhesus (positive/negative)
ID number
Date and place of issuance
Signature and stamp

Back side:
Surname (Greek)
Surname (English)
Given name (Greek)
Given name (English)
Father’s given name (Greek)
Father’s given name (English)
Mother’s given name (Greek)
Mother’s given name (English)
Date of birth
Municipality of birth (Greek/English)
Height (cm)
Dimotis, place of voting rights and registration (Greek)
Municipality issuing the ID (Greek)
Stamp and signature of police (Greek)

Can I still travel within the EU/Schengen using my old Greek ID?

Everyone who has an updated Greek national ID with Latin letters is permitted to travel within the Schengen zone. Those who have the older ID in Greek only must swap for a new ID or have the new Greek passport to travel, since Schengen countries require Latin letters.

Questions? Please call ‘11888′ to ask in Greek at the local police station or ‘1564′ to ask in English at KEP (Citizen Service Centers). If you are outside Greece, calling a Greek Consulate is more relevant.

* Special thanks for Tolis for clarification.

Non-citizen residents of Greece

If you do not have Greek citizenship, you do not qualify for a Greek national ID. The act of being born outside Greece to a Greek citizen means nothing unless your parents or grandparents applied for your citizenship. Citizenship is also not transferable. Therefore, being married to a Greek citizen means nothing and does not entitle you to a passport or ID. See, “How to acquire Greek citizenship.”

Should you not qualify for any of the options, it is absolutely no problem since your passport accomplishes all of the same things a Greek national ID does.

Ministry of Public Order’s article

After writing my article back in July, I found the English version of an article on the Ministry of Public Order’s Web site that is poorly written and contains erroneous information. However, you are free to see it by clicking here.

My article is based on official documentation translated from Greek to English and information gathered from first-hand experience at the police station in Athens, after going through the process in June 2007. Nothing has changed since then.

Related posts

“Greek passport“
“Converting to a Greek driver’s license“
“Certify a photocopy, dilosi or other document in Greece“

Article updated March 16, 2008

Holding dual citizenship requires no special application or the hiring of a third party if you wish to be both an American and Greek citizen. The USA and Greece allow you the privilege of holding both citizenships without conflict, as long as you meet the requirements of each country and do not commit the voluntary expatriating acts listed below.

The nature of citizenship

Greek citizenship is granted to those who:
1) Are born in the country to at least one parent of Greek origin,
2) can stake a claim to an ancestor born in the country
or
3) live in the country for many years, meet a number of requirements and go through the naturalization process.

Greek citizenship is a right granted by origin, not by birth. Therefore, a child born to two non-Greek parents in Greece is not automatically entitled to citizenship and must be naturalized after his/her 18th birthday.

Marrying a Greek citizen does not automatically grant a non-EU spouse the privilege of Greek citizenship or a Greek passport. You must be a Greek citizen yourself or go through the naturalization process. Articles pertaining to non-EU spouses of Greek citizens are, “Greek citizenship through naturalization” and “Residence/work permits for non-EU family members of Greek citizens.”

Americans wishing to acquire Greek citizenship

If you are an American citizen wishing to stake a claim to Greek citizenship through an ancestor born in Greece since you yourself were not, this is your right. Living in a foreign country does not affect the status of your citizenship, however you are required to report income earned in a foreign country by filing a U.S. tax return as long as you are an American citizen.

Most U.S. and other non-EU citizens exercise the dual citizenship option as a way to live and work in the EU if they have no other alternatives. This is its only benefit.

This is also the first step toward applying for a Greek passport and Greek national ID (tautotita), though these things carry little or no advantages since your country’s passport is widely accepted for everyday and official transactions.

An article has been posted about “Acquiring Greek citizenship by claim of Greek origin” as a guide to gathering your documents, but please be aware of the conflicting information I’ve highlighted for you. There is a lot of marginal and unverified information from newspapers, forums and articles posted by lawyers, and it is important to understand that each person’s case is unique. Therefore, the experience of a friend, relative or stranger may not be relevant to you.

Outside Greece: I highly recommend that Greeks abroad seek official consul from the Greek Consulate, which has the most current information and is authorized by the Hellenic Republic to accept and submit applications on behalf of potential candidates. They also have citizenship applications.

In Greece: Greek citizen candidates in Greece can go in person to the Interior Ministry at 31 Stadiou Street, Athens or call the citizenship office at (210) 324-9683 or use (210) 324-9465 or (210) 324-9314. You can also contact the Foreign Ministry Citizen Information Office at 3 Akadimias Street or (210) 368-2700.

Greek Military Obligations

Any male between the ages of 19 to 45 should take note that mandatory conscription in the Greek military will be assigned upon taking Greek citizenship. Detailed information and website links can be found in the “Military Service” section.

Ways you could lose American citizenship

- Officially stating your desire to have your American citizenship revoked. It is otherwise assumed you wish to retain it.

- Taking an official oath of allegiance to a foreign state. Taking a routine oath of allegiance, such as the one requested during the Greek citizenship process, is not considered such an act.

- Serving as an officer in a foreign army or serving in any army hostile to the USA. Serving mandatory conscription in the Greek military as part of a Greek citizen’s duty is not considered such an act.

- Serving as a high official in a foreign government. Accepting non-policy type employment is not considered such an act.

- Making a formal renunciation of U.S. citizenship.

- Working to overthrow the U.S. government.

You can read about it at, “Possible loss of U.S. citizenship and dual nationality” on the U.S Department of State Web site.

Greeks wishing to acquire American citizenship

Many Greek citizens who can stake a claim to U.S. citizenship usually exercise this option as the first step to securing a U.S. passport. I know several Greek-Americans who choose not to hold a Greek passport if they already have an American passport, which they consider to carry more weight in the world in general. Some countries also allow Americans, Canadians and Australians to speed through long lines on occasion, including Greece.

Please visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site, which details immigration, years of residence, green card and citizenship requirements.

If you are a Greek-American in Greece who would like to stake a claim of American citizenship for your child, the American Embassy in Athens and Thessaloniki can assist you with the application. It is straightforward and can be completed in less than a half hour. Please find their contact information in the third column under “American-specific sites.”

Which passport should I use?

The American Embassy recommends that American-Greek citizens use their U.S. passports to enter and exit the United States not only for convenience, but also to avoid securing a non-immigrant visa required of all Greek passport holders.

There is no official recommendation on passport use by the Hellenic Republic, and various Greek Consulates gave different answers when asked. However, it is highly advisable that you use the same passport for the length of your entire journey to/from Greece, since passport control must be able to track your entries and exits with stamps in your passport and/or match them according to computer records. If traveling only within Europe or anywhere not requiring a visa, using your Greek passport may make your re-entry to Greece much easier, especially if it’s your home base.

It is tempting for American-Greek dual passport holders to use the Greek passport to skip long lines when entering Greece from a non-EU country, but if you did not use this passport for the duration of your journey, you absolutely should not try it now (see “Comments” by Katerina, attached to this post).

For other countries

The information provided above applies specifically to American-Greek citizens.

Greece is part of the EU, but each member state has different requirements and a different view on dual citizenship — it is wrong to assume all countries have the same requirements and same policy. Further, you also need to verify that the policy of your current home country allows it; for example, the USA may have a different view on dual citizenship with Syria.

It is imperative to seek official printed literature and the advice of authorized representatives of your country who are experts (not a forum, not a friend, not a lawyer who posts articles on the Internet) before jeopardizing your current citizenship. Each case is unique, and what applies to one person may not apply to another.

Note: It is redundant for citizens from other EU countries to seek dual citizenship with Greece since they are already authorized to live and work in any of the 27 member states according to each states’ freedom of movement laws detailed by the EC.

Related posts

“Greek citizenship by claim of Greek origin“
“Greek citizenship by naturalization“
“Mandatory Greek military service“

Article updated March 12, 2008
–
Photo from answers.com

Everyone with Greek citizenship is entitled to a Greek passport, which must be a biometric passport with a microchip that meets EU security guidelines on par with other countries of the world. As of April 1, 2007, old non-biometric passports are no longer honored as valid for travel or ID purposes.

For those who do not understand the nature of getting a Greek passport or being eligible for one, you are only entitled to a Greek passport if you have Greek citizenship. Marriage or simply having a Greek ancestor does not automatically grant you one. If you do not have Greek citizenship, see “How to acquire Greek citizenship.”

A passport is also not transferable to another person. i.e. If you have a Greek passport, your spouse does not get special privileges if (s)he her/himself does not have a Greek passport. It only matters what passport (s)he has, and yours has no bearing. There is a section near the end of this article entitled, “Spouses of Greek citizens” should that pertain to you.

A Greek passport is technically an EU passport, however nationality still counts and it is still a passport inferior to other EU countries at its core. Many who hold dual citizenship with America, Canada and Australia often opt to not hold a Greek passport. See “American and Greek dual citizenship” for more information.

If you are in Greece:

You must appear in person at any of the 99 police stations authorized to accept applications and issue passports. Call ‘11888′ for the location nearest you. (If you are not in Greece, skip to the instructions that follow).

Children under 12 must be accompanied by both parents/guardians or present a certified dilosi by the one adult absent if accompanied only by one parent/guardian. If a person is elderly, sick or otherwise unable to apply for a passport in person, they must call the police station in their municipality to understand what options are available.

Papers needed:

1. One (1) color passport photograph taken in the last 30 days, sized 40 x 60 mm (1.6 x 2.3 inches) with a white or neutral background, no shadows, and your mouth shut with an expression that is not smiling but not frowning. Women must show their face clearly with makeup applied modestly and hair pulled back.

There is usually someone to fix ‘red eyes’ and print the photo on high quality photo paper.

2. Photocopy of your Greek ID, front and back, or a birth certificate in cases where an ID has not been issued (Greeks living abroad); young adults under the age of 12 must have a photo attached to a birth certificate issued and certified by the municipality, which will then be certified by the police (or by the Consulate for Greeks abroad).

3. Receipt (parabolo) in triplicate for payment of 80 euros paid to the DOY Eforia (tax office); go to the tameio (cashier) and they will know what you need.

4. Application from the police station or passport office, completed in Greek.

5. Men who recently completed military service, and don’t have the appropriate passport denoting this recent event, must present the discharge paper issued by the Greek Military; if there is a deferment, certificate type ‘B’ must be presented. All documents must have been issued in the past 6 months or be reissued.

6. Your current passport, if you have one; if you have one but it’s lost or stolen, you must present certified documentation attesting to this fact.

7. Dilosi (statement of facts) with the following text, which will be certified by police:

- Δεν έχει/εχώ καταδικαστεί τελεσίδικα για πλαστογραφία, πλαστογραφία πιστοποιητικών, υπεξαγωγή εγγράφων, ψευδή ανώμοτη κατάθεση ή ψευδή δήλωση, εφόσον τα αδικήματα αυτά αφορούν την έκδοση, τη χρήση ή την απώλεια ή κλοπή διαβατηρίου.
- Δεν έχει/εχώ ασκηθεί σε βάρος του ποινική δίωξη ή έχει παραπεμφθεί σε δίκη για τα παραπάνω αδικήματα.
- Δεν έχει/εχώ έχει κηρυχθεί ανυπότακτος ή λιποτάκτης.
- Δεν έχει/εχώ εκκρεμεί σε βάρος του απαγόρευση εξόδου από τη χώρα.
- Δεν είμαι/είμαι κάτοχος παλαιού τύπου διαβατηρίου σε ισχύ

(Basically, this translates as:
- I have not/have been indicted for forgeries, forging documents, making false statements under oath or false testimony that concern a passport’s issuance, use, loss or theft.
- I have not/have been convicted or indicted by a jury for the above-mentioned offenses.
- I have not/have been declared as a draft evader or deserter.
- There is/is not an order that forbids me to leave the country.
- I am not/am a holder of an old passport still in force.)

*Be aware that stating the truth is important and does not automatically disqualify you from receiving a passport.

POSSIBLE SHORTCUT AVAILABLE: Some offices or shops near the police station sell a paketo for 80.00 + 1.80 euros, which includes a parabolo for payment of the passport fee without going to the eforia, plus a dilosi and application.

After your documents are inspected and your file is deemed complete, you will be given a receipt that must be presented upon pickup by you, a legal guardian or an appointed representative possessing a dilosi certified by police that he/she has authorization to receive your passport.

How long does it take to get my Greek passport? (in Greece)

The passport is typically ready in 7 working days, and your old passport will be canceled and returned (although I have seen cases where old passports are not canceled).

If you are a Greek passport holder abroad:

Greek Consulates worldwide are authorized by the Hellenic Republic to: a) Collect applications and supporting documents; b) safely forward documents to Greek Police; c) receive passports from the Greek Police; and d) deliver passports to their rightful owners.

In the USA, there are Greek Consulates located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tampa and Washington DC. Most consulates require those appearing in person to have an appointment in order to provide the best service and avoid long waits; therefore, it is best to call ahead AND inquire about the accepted payment methods for the $100 fee (fluctuates according to the dollar-euro exchange rate for 80 euros) per passport.

If you cannot appear in person, or there is no Greek Consulate located nearby, inquire about submitting your passport application via certified mail. Some allow it; some don’t.

The papers needed to apply are the same everywhere:

1. One (1) color passport photograph taken in the last 30 days, sized 40 x 60 mm (1.6 x 2.3 inches) with a white or neutral background, no shadows, no red eyes, and your mouth shut with an expression that is not smiling but not frowning. Women must show their face clearly with makeup applied modestly and hair pulled back.

2. Photocopy of your: a) Greek ID, front and back or b) papers granting you Greek citizenship if you staked a claim through an ancestor or c) a birth certificate certified by the municipality in Greece or Greek Consulate in cases where an ID has not been issued. Young adults under the age of 12 should have a photo attached to a birth certificate issued and certified by the municipality, which will then be certified by the Consulate.

3. Payment of $100 (fluctuates according to the dollar-euro exchange rate for 80 euros); inquire in advance about acceptable methods of payment. Fee is refundable if your passport is not processed.

4. Application provided by the Consulate.

5. All men aged 19-45 must present either certificate type ‘B’ if there is a deferment OR provide documentation of being a deserter by their military office in Greece. Documents must have been issued in the 6 months previous to date of application or be reissued.

6. Your current passport, if you have one. If you have one but it’s lost or stolen, you must present certified documentation attesting to this fact.

7. A statement of facts with the following text, which will be certified by the Consulate:

- Δεν εχώ/εχώ καταδικαστεί τελεσίδικα για πλαστογραφία, πλαστογραφία πιστοποιητικών, υπεξαγωγή εγγράφων, ψευδή ανώμοτη κατάθεση ή ψευδή δήλωση, εφόσον τα αδικήματα αυτά αφορούν την έκδοση, τη χρήση ή την απώλεια ή κλοπή διαβατηρίου.
- Δεν εχώ/εχώ ασκηθεί σε βάρος του ποινική δίωξη ή έχει παραπεμφθεί σε δίκη για τα παραπάνω αδικήματα.
- Δεν εχώ/εχώ έχει κηρυχθεί ανυπότακτος ή λιποτάκτης.
- Δεν εχώ/εχώ εκκρεμεί σε βάρος του απαγόρευση εξόδου από τη χώρα.
- Δεν είμαι/είμαι κάτοχος παλαιού τύπου διαβατηρίου σε ισχύ.

(Basically, this translates as:
- I have not/have been indicted for forgeries, forging documents, making false statements under oath or false testimony that concern a passport’s issuance, use, loss or theft.
- I have not/have been convicted or indicted by a jury for the above-mentioned offenses.
- I have not/have been declared as a draft evader or deserter.
- There is/is not an order that forbids me to leave the country.
- I am not/am a holder of an old passport still in force.)

*Be aware that stating the truth is important and does not automatically disqualify you from receiving a passport.

After your documents are inspected and your file is deemed complete, you will be given a receipt that must be presented upon pickup by you, a legal guardian or an appointed representative possessing a power of attorney.

How long does it take to issue my Greek passport? (outside Greece)

There is no predetermined delivery time, as speed is dependent on location, available staff and the number of applications being processed at the office and in Greece. Upon notification that your new passport is ready, the old passport (if applicable) must be presented to the Greek Consulate to be cancelled before being returned to you.

Exceptions

The “transition” period officially ended on April 1, 2007, and there are no exemptions being made. Your failure to secure a new passport or receive advanced permission to travel with the old passport is not the fault of any airline or country refusing to admit you.

Spouses of Greek citizens

Non-EU spouses of Greek citizens who are not Greek citizens themselves are of course not entitled to a Greek passport, unless they have been through the naturalization process. A Greek passport is useless to a anyone who is already an EU citizen, as it is redundant.

In order to qualify for naturalization, the non-EU citizen spouse must:

1. Be 18 or older
2. Be married to the Greek citizen for a minimum of 3 years;
3. Be living in Greece with a residence/work permit for 3 years if you have a child together or be living in Greece with a residence/work permit for 10 of the last 12 years if you do not have children.

If these basic qualifications are met, a number of other requirements follow, which are detailed in, “Acquisition of Greek citizenship by naturalization.”

Be aware that a residence/work permit for Greece for a non-EU spouse and the children of a Greek or EU citizen can be obtained with almost no waiting period and no fee if you apply and pass an interview. It carries the same weight as being an EU resident without the lengthy wait, extensive requirements or expense.

Having a Greek passport and Greek national ID carry no additional benefits. In fact, many Greek citizens in possession of another passport (Australian, American, Canadian) often do not use or even own a Greek passport by choice, since Greece is not part of the waiver program detailed below.

USA visas issued to Greeks

Although U.S. Homeland Security was satisfied with Greece’s progress upon visiting in February 2008, Greece is currently NOT a part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), however it is projected it may enter by the end of 2008 (see, “Greece to enter VWP by 2008?“). Therefore, all Greek passport holders wishing to visit the USA for any reason are still required to secure a non-immigrant visa. (All articles on this site are updated to reflect the latest information and changes).

Any previous unexpired visas are still honored by presenting the invalidated/old passport bearing the original visa along with the new passport. There is no need to secure another.

Related posts

“Greece to enter the visa waiver program in 2008?“
“The opposite is true in Greece“
“Deksi xeri, sas parakalo“

Sources

- National Passport Center of Greece Web site: Please note that the English version is not updated regularly to show the latest information, poorly translated and may be unreadable or difficult to understand, i.e. “The juveniles under the age of 12 submit a certificate at the municipal roll, on which is sticked a recent colorful photo, with an identification scrip.” I actually understood the Greek version better.
- Greek Consulates in the USA
- First-hand experience of my fiancé, who applied and received a new Greek passport in 2007
- My experience and personal accounts of Greek-American friends living in Greece and abroad in New York, California and Florida
- Photo courtesy of the Athens News

Article updated March 24, 2008

According to Article 4 of the Greek Citizenship Code:

1. Aliens of Greek ethnic origin, admitted to military academies as officers or non-commissioned officers of the armed services or enlisted in the armed services as volunteers, in accordance with current regulations, lawfully acquire Greek citizenship from the time of their admittance to such institutions or from their enlistment.

2. Aliens of Greek ethnic origin who enlist as volunteers in time of mobilization or war, in accordance with the current regulations, may acquire Greek Citizenship by petition to the Secretary General of the Prefecture without any further formalities.

3. Those receiving promotion to officers, whether in the standing Armed Services or in the reserves, acquire the Greek Citizenship without any further formalities.

4. The military oath taken by the persons mentioned in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, substitutes for the oath of the Greek citizen.

5. The children of aliens of Greek ethnic origin, who acquire Greek Citizenship in accordance with the previous paragraphs, are entitled to become Greek citizens at the same time their parents acquire Greek citizenship provided they are minors (under the age of 18 ) at the time of their parents’ petition to the Secretary General of the Prefecture.

Note

The preceding text is quoted directly from an English translation of Greek citizenship code originally published in Greek, as already noted above.

I do not know anyone who has acquired citizenship by this method, and I do not represent the Greek military or Greek government, so I cannot interpret its meaning or answer questions.

Go to the Mandatory Military Service in Greece article and retrieve the contact information from there to inquire directly, as each case is uniquely different. The other option is to consult directly with the Greek Consulate in your homeland. Do not consult a forum, listen to rumors from friends/relatives or lawyers advertising themselves on the Internet, or you risk getting misleading information.