How to get Greek citizenship, for Greeks living abroad

·

By Anastasia C. Miliou, Attorney at the Supreme Court*

The roots of the Greek family are deep and transcend time. Second and third generation Greeks born abroad keep the customs and tradition of Greece and even speak the Greek language, but this doesn’t mean that Greek citizenship is a matter of course.

The way in which someone can get Greek citizenship isn’t very difficult, but neither is it widely known.

We can begin by finding the last ancestor born anywhere in Greece whose birth certificate can be traced. If the ancestor is a father or a mother, then the process is very easy. If the ancestor is a grandfather or great-grandfather, then the search can go as far back as there is a birth certificate.

If we have a birth certificate, then we can proceed to gather the rest of the paperwork needed. For instance, if the grandfather was the ancestor born in Greece then it is necessary to find the religious marriage certificate of that relative (if he is male we need the marriage to be orthodox religious, if  she is female the marriage must not be orthodox religious), regardless as to whether the marriage took place in Greece or abroad, followed by the birth certificate and marriage certificate of the parent whose lineage is Greek followed by the citizenship applicant’s own birth certificate.

The documents need to be in their original forms, officially translated in to Greek. The applicants need to sign a series of documents required for Greek citizenship at the embassy of their place of residence. All the documents are then gathered and sent to the region where the Greek ancestor lived. From there, an act certifying Greek nationality status is sent with a file to the relevant municipality for enrolment. As soon as the applicant is enrolled at the Municipality, Greek citizenship and a passport become a matter of course.

Minors automatically receive citizenship parallel to the parent who has a right to it. If they become of age they need to submit a different application.

If any certificate is missing there is the way of naturalization but in that case the applicant will be interviewed at some point by the Council in Greek language and he/she must know about Greek history and the present political, financial and social situation in the country. This procedure takes more time but the final result is the same.

Anastasia C. Miliou is an Attorney at Law at the Supreme Courts with experience in international law and a large clientele in both Greece and abroad. Her telephone number is 6945028153. If you would like questions answered as part of her articles in English online, you can e-mail her at natmil@otenet.gr or visit www.legalaction.gr

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Meet TIFANY: The Greek Australian artist making waves in RnB

Are you looking for your new favourite Greek artist who combines unique sounds of RnB, house and EDM music?

Heirs of a Greek inheritance: Most common problems to deal with

There are many people of Greek descent all over the world whose parents or other close relatives had properties in Greece.

Niki Louca shares her family favourite Indokaridopita (coconut cake) recipe

It is a cake her aunty Panayiota used to make often in years gone by, and one she hasn’t had for a long time.

Naz Vardar to give Melbourne seminar on shaping Vlach identity

The focus lies on the story of a Vlach priest navigating his way within the local Vlach community in Manastir (Bitola).

Out from the White Tower’s shadow: A subversive guide to Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki isn’t trying to impress you, and that’s exactly why it does. Its people carry the kind of warmth that isn’t put on for tourists.

You May Also Like

Fragments of the Parthenon Marbles reunited in the Acropolis Museum

Fragments of the Parthenon Marbles exhibited at the Athens Archaeological Museum were reunited in the Acropolis Museum on Monday.

Greek restaurant Topikos to close in Sydney’s east

Greek venue Topikos Dining Room & Bar in Bondi in Sydney's east will close its doors for good in early September.

On this day in 1927: Writer Costas Taktsis was born

Taktsis is described as a “landmark of post-war literature in Greece’ and is best known for his 1962 book 'The Third Wedding Wreath'.