Is It Hard to Get Greek Citizenship?
How hard it is to get Greek citizenship depends entirely on the route you qualify for. Some pathways are extremely straightforward—especially for people with Greek ancestry—while others demand long-term residence and exams.
Easiest Route: Citizenship by Descent
If you have Greek ancestry, the process is one of the simplest in Europe. You qualify if a parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent was Greek. The key requirement is solid documentation linking each generation.
Why it’s easy:
No language test
No residency requirement
No integration exams
Dual citizenship allowed
The only challenge is gathering the correct records, especially older documents.
Moderate Difficulty: Marriage to a Greek Citizen
Marriage doesn’t automatically make someone a Greek citizen, but it creates a path after three years of marriage (and sometimes proof of shared life in Greece). You still need to meet parts of the naturalization process.
Most Difficult: Naturalization Through Residency
For those without Greek roots:
Must live legally in Greece for 7 years
Must pass the Greek language exam
Must pass the P.E.G. citizenship test on culture, history, and civics
Tax compliance and integration are required
This route takes commitment and strong documentation.
Exceptional Naturalization
This is possible for individuals who contribute significantly to Greece—athletes, academics, or high-impact entrepreneurs.
Bottom Line
If you have Greek roots, it’s not hard at all. If not, the process is structured but demanding. The route you qualify for determines the difficulty.
Use CitizenGR to streamline your application.
Download the CitizenGR app for application checklists, ancestry tools, and expert guidance.
