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

All men between the age of 19 and 45 with Greek citizenship or those designated by Greek authorities as being of Greek origin — regardless of country of birth, citizenship, passport or current domicile — must serve mandatory military service of 12 months regular duty or 17 months reserve duty in the army, air force or navy as of 2004.

Longer tours of 18-36 months were required previously. Greek males between the ages of 18 and 60 who live in strategically sensitive areas (i.e. Samos) may be called and paid to serve part-time in the National Guard. Women can enlist in the Greek army on a voluntary basis. There is a bill in Parliament being considered to draft females to meet needs not filled by professional soldiers, but nothing has yet been passed (will update if it changes).

Although many attempt or must delay military service, employers in both the private and public sectors will often not recruit anyone with outstanding obligations for long-term, permanent employment.

Conscripted soldiers are unsalaried and given no health insurance, but provided food, accommodation, clothing, free unlimited public transport (metro, train, tram, buses) and medical support that includes hospitalization.

A modest payment of 9 to 600 euros per month, depending on the conscript’s rank and family status, is categorized as ‘aid’ to help offset expenses not covered by the military. The majority of men receive the absolute minimum of 9 euros/month. Understandably, most soldiers find this compensation insufficient and must depend on savings or family for financial support during their tour of duty.

Parliament passed a law in 2004 that allows men aged 35 and older to buy out their military obligation for 8,505 euros after attending 45 days of basic training. The amount is calculated as 810 euros/month (income of a professional soldier) less taxes. Critics rightfully argue that only the rich can afford this option since this is more than most ordinary citizens earn per annum.

The armed forces aims to be a completely professional military system, with mandatory military service reduced to 6 months or abolished completely by 2008. But due to increased security demands and severe shortages of voluntary conscripts, this is now under review. Draft dodgers claiming a mental health exclusion or other reason for not enlisting are the current focus of government officials who are actively and publicly pursuing violators, regardless of fame or financial position.

Greek military officers speak Greek, so enlisting conscripts speaking another language will not be accommodated.

Typical Military Tour

A tour in the Greek military has three cycles:

1. Basic - 6 weeks at a dedicated training facility.
2. Specialist training - 3 to 7 weeks at a dedicated training facility, conducted in combat units.
3. Regular army unit.*

Most conscripts are required to train for 7.5 hours/day, though it may not be served consecutively, and includes tasks such as guard duty or clerical work. For many men, this will be their first encounter with vigorous exercise, washing dishes, sweeping floors, garbage disposal and harsher conditions such as mental abuse and sleeping in the woods. Adverse behavior is punishable with additional days service.

*Men who are 1.85 cm or taller are selected to compete and be a part of 150 elite Presidential Guards (evzones), thus making it possible to hold a special position, wear a historical uniform and serve in Athens at the same time. After rigorous training with a senior evzone exiting military duty, there is a process of elimination in which a group of men replace outgoing officers and serve at Syntagma for many months on a on/off schedule. They then become “old evzones” who wear a green uniform, stand near booths, command and grade evzones changing on the hour and stretching on the half hour.

Reduced Tours of Duty

Some conscripts qualify to serve a reduced tour.

- Citizens who moved to Greece before their 11th birthday from countries of the former Eastern Block or Turkey serve 3 months.

- Citizens who lived constantly abroad since their 11th birthday and have parents not employed by the Greek state serve 6 months.

- Naturalized Greek citizens serve 6 months.

- Men who served at least 6 months in the military of another EU member state must still serve 6 months in Greece.

- Citizens with ‘permanent resident abroad’ status (aka, applied for and have a certificate) who choose to live in Greece for more than 6 months in a calendar year and/or work in Greece will lose their special status, be reclassified as ‘repatriated citizen’ and serve 3-6 months.

- Scientists involved in outstanding research may serve three to six months AND are required to buy out the remainder of the normal tour of duty at 293.47 euros/month not served; can opt to meet military obligations in disjointed tours of 2 months each.

- Members of large families (more than three children) may serve between 6 and 9 months. In most cases, this applies only to the eldest brother(s).

- Fathers or citizens whose income is necessary to support elderly parents serve 9 months.

- Citizens with a father aged 70 or older serve a 9-month tour; this normally only applies to the eldest brother.

- Citizens whose father has died serve nine months and usually applies only to the eldest brother.

* For your specific situation, it is best to consult the Ministry of Defense’s official website listed at the end of this article. This section was only provided as a general outline.

Temporary Deferment of Duty

All healthy males are required to enlist on their 18th birthday, however deferments are granted for the following reasons:

- Students wishing to pursue higher or further education: The duration of the deferment is 5-6 years, subject to recall if a student fails to make any academic progress within a year.

- Poor health, including drug rehabilitation: Deferments of 6 months to 2 years are awarded by medical committees comprising military physicians, army officers and recruitment officials.

- Incarceration: Criminals are automatically deferred.

- Citizens with a brother currently serving in the armed forces: Tours are deferred until the brother is discharged.

- Electoral candidates: A deferment is granted to candidates for the duration of elections.

- Other reasons: A small number of deferments are granted at the Defense Minister’s discretion for compelling social reasons not explicitly stated in the legislation.

Permanent Deferment of Duty

Citizens not required to serve in the armed forces of Greece are:

- People with serious health problems, including the mentally ill

- Fathers of more than three children

- The eldest brother in a family, whose members cannot support themselves

- Fathers who have been widowed or are incapable of work with children who cannot support themselves

- Foreigners living in the monastic community of Mount Athos

Exemptions

Males of Greek origin or those with Greek citizenship who have lived abroad as a permanent resident may be eligible to claim an exemption (or at least a reduced tour) from Greek military obligations if they intend to serve or have already served military time with a NATO country or allied force.

Please check with the Greek Consulate in your homeland if abroad or with the Greek military recruiting office if in Greece. There is no way I can cover every possible country and every possible situation on this site, and a friend or relative’s experience does not necessarily apply to you. Each case is unique and should be treated as such.

Conscientious Objectors

Parliament passed a law in 1997 that established alternative and unarmed service for conscientious objectors and amended the Constitution in 2001 to recognize the right to conscientious objection. Alternative service is nearly double normal military service at 23 months, and unarmed service is 18 months. Men serving alternative service at an institution not providing food and shelter are paid approximately 210 euros/month.

Draft Evaders and Citizens Living Abroad

* Draft evaders living in Greece: Are not allowed to leave the country and cannot be issued a passport granting them that right. (There are three types of passports for male citizens that signify no duty served, currently serving duty and completed duty.)

* Draft evaders living outside of Greece: Were granted the right to be issued Greek passports in 2004, but are only allowed to visit the homeland up to 30-90 days in a calendar year. Previous to 2004, draft evaders abroad were denied passport renewal and forced to conscribe upon entering Greece.

* Permanent residents abroad: As of late 2005, those living abroad for at least 11 years or working abroad for seven years, are permitted to defer military service until repatriation to Greece. Permanent residents abroad are also allowed to reside in Greece without working for under 6 months of each calendar year ONLY if they are first registered as such with the appropriate recruiting office AND are issued a certificate (pistopoiitiko monimou katoikou exoterikou) by the Greek Consulate having jurisdiction over their foreign residence.

* Permanent residents abroad who wish to study in Greece: Greek males can study in Greece for a total of 12 years, consecutively or intermittently, without losing their status as permanent resident abroad and not serve in the military, as long as their parents remain permanent residents abroad.

Should those with status of ‘permanent resident abroad’ wish to live in Greece for more than 6 months or work in the country, they will lose their special status, be reclassified as ‘repatriated citizens,’ and be assigned a tour of duty consisting of 3-6 months.

Many non-EU citizens of Greek origin claim their right to Greek citizenship, then live and work in another EU country, where the threat of being drafted by the Greek military is removed.

Renouncing your Greek citizenship does not excuse you from military service, as this does nothing to remove Greek ethnicity and Greek origin to which you are tied by birth and blood.

Greek Society and the Military

The military is an integral part of Greek society and generally regarded as a trustworthy institution that: protects national borders, participates in national celebrations and official ceremonies (Oxi Day, Greek Independence Day in Athens and New York, diplomatic visits), replaces the state when its mechanics are unavailable to help civilians, transports patients from islands or rural areas to regional hospitals or Athens on an emergency basis, extinguishes fires in summer and assists with rescue and recovery missions.

Contact info

Citizens in Greece:
Local recruitment offices in Greece
Call ‘11888′ for nearest location

Ministry of Defense
Fax: (210) 652-7106 or
(210) 654-5703
Websites listed below

Citizens abroad:
Greek Consulates Worldwide
Click here

Sources

* Ministry of National Defense - Official page (in English and Greek)
* Ministry of National Defense - Military Recruitment page (in Greek)
* Greek friends who served in many capacities and divisions over several years, relayed personal experiences and provided and translated military literature.

Article updated June 11, 2008

–
Photo is from the U.S. Dept. of Defense, training in Thessaloniki

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.