All the ways to obtain dual citizenship in Greece

Greece allows dual citizenship. Holding multiple citizenships is also permitted. That means you don’t have to renounce your current citizenship or citizenships if you decide to get a Greek passport.

Dual citizens are treated in the following way: Greece will consider you its citizen whether you are in the country or abroad. But while you are in the country of your other citizenship, the Greek authorities will not regard you as a Greek citizen there.

Citizens with only Greek citizenship and dual nationals with Greece have the same rights and responsibilities.

Dual Greek citizenship can be obtained automatically by birth, or a person can apply for it on the basis of descent, naturalisation, or military service.

Wealthy individuals often choose to obtain Greek citizenship through the Golden Visa program.

Be aware that some countries prohibit dual citizenship with Greece. For example, among these countries are India, Malaysia, and China.

Representatives of certain professions, such as military officers, judges, ministers, and deputies, are restricted from holding more than one citizenship.

1. Descent. If a person has Greek parents or grandparents, they can apply for a Greece passport. To prove their ancestry, the applicant provides documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and baptism certificates.

2. Military service. Ethnic Greeks can obtain citizenship by serving in the Greek military or attending the Military Academy.

3. Naturalisation. To apply for citizenship by naturalisation, a foreigner must live in Greece for 7 years with a residence permit. They would also need to pass a Greek language exam.

4. Marriage. Greek citizenship can’t be obtained straight through marriage. However, a spouse of a Greek citizen is eligible to apply for permanent residence three years after marriage and then, in five years, submit documents for citizenship by naturalisation.

5. Investment. Greek citizenship can’t be obtained directly by investment, but a residence permit can be. This residence permit is also called the Golden Visa. To get it, you need to invest in the Greece economy, and after several years of residing there, you can apply for citizenship by naturalisation.

Discover the advantages, terms, and details of the Greece residence-by-investment program

The Greece Golden Visa program offers several investment options:

• buying real estate — €250,000+;

• renting a hotel or a tourist residence for 10 years — €400,000+;

• timeshare — €400,000+;

• inheriting real estate or receiving it as a gift — €400,000+;

• purchase of securities — €350,000+;

• opening a bank deposit — €500,000+.

The most popular investment option is purchasing residential or commercial real estate. Investors buy a single property valued at least €400,000, with the minimum property area being 120 square metres or more. The investment requirement in popular regions, such as Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, or Santorini is higher — at least €800,000.

If investors purchase real estate for renovation or conversion into residential space, the investment threshold is €250,000.

Investors can buy properties themselves or register them on an EU-based company. It is possible only if they own 100% of this company’s shares.

To be eligible for the Golden Visa, the investor needs to be over 18, have no criminal records, and be able to confirm the legality of the income.

The investor can also include their close family members, such as a spouse or a partner, unmarried children under 24, and parents, in the application.

If the investor and their spouse want to own property together, they must each invest at least €400,000.

The average obtaining period for the Greece Golden Visa is 4+ months.

The Golden Visa is valid for 5 years and can be renewed.

To be eligible for renewal, the investor must still possess the investment asset, for example, a property. Living in Greece permanently isn’t required unless the investor wants to obtain citizenship. In this case, it is not allowed to spend more than 6 months at once or 10 months in general outside Greece.

The list of documents for residency renewal includes the following:

• an application form;

• a certified copy of a valid passport;

• a receipt proving payment of application and card issuance fees;

• an insurance policy from a private insurance body;

• a copy of all pages of travel documents;

• real estate ownership or leasing papers.

After another 2 years, it is possible to apply for citizenship. The main requirement is to reside in the country for the majority of the time.

The applicant also collects the following documents:

• a naturalisation statement;

• a receipt of payment of a government fee;

• a copy of the passport or another travel document;

• a residence permit;

• a birth certificate;

• a tax return or a copy of the tax declaration for the last fiscal year.

Besides providing documents, the applicant must take exams on the Greek language, culture, geography, history, and government structure.

A child under 18 can become a Greek citizen if they:

• were born to Greek parents — if a child were born out of wedlock and only their father is Greek, a paternity test is required;

• were adopted by Greek citizens;

• were born in Greece, and at least one parent had been a resident of Greece for at least five years;

• completed 9 school years at the elementary and secondary education level or 6 at the secondary level.

Greece’s dual citizenship allows Americans to become EU citizens, while keeping their US passports. Holding a Greek passport enables them to live, work, and conduct business anywhere in the EU without the need for additional visas or work permits.

With a Greece passport, US citizens can travel visa-free to countries such as Turkey, Venezuela, or the Solomon Islands, which would otherwise require a visa. Greek citizens can also enjoy longer stays in the UAE, Vanuatu, and St Lucia.

The double tax treaty between Greece and the USA ensures that individuals do not pay tax on the same income twice. A US citizen living in Greece can claim a foreign tax credit for the income taxes paid to Greece against their US tax liability, and vice versa.

1. Visa-free travel to 171 countries. Among them are the Schengen Area, the USA, the UK, Canada, Japan, and many others.

2. Safe haven in Greece. Greece passport holders can move to Greece at any time and live there for an unlimited period.

3. Opportunity to move to any EU country. As Greece is a part of the EU, its citizens can move to any EU country and stay there without the need to obtain a residence permit. They are also allowed to work in any EU state.

However, most of the EU countries require new residents to register at the police station or migration office upon their arrival.

4. Business opportunities. Greek citizenship provides access to the EU market. With the Greece passport, you can open a bank account in any EU state, run a company there, or optimise taxes.

5. Education for children. Citizens of the EU can study in universities in all EU countries. Preferential terms apply to them: in some countries, EU nationals pay lower tuition fees than those for foreigners or do not pay tuition fees at all.

6. Inheritance of citizenship. Children and grandchildren of Greek citizens can obtain the country’s citizenship by descent, even if they are born in another country.

7. Safety and privacy. Like other EU nationals, Greeks benefit from the safety and privacy that the EU provides. That includes:

• consular protection in any country;

• protection of personal data and financial privacy;

• product and food regulations.

Examples of an investment real estate in Greece

Greece, Santorini

€505,000 — €550,000

Mediterranean style villa next to the sea in Santorini with guaranteed rent

84 m² — 94 m²

3

1

Greece, Kissamos

€830,000 — €1,550,000

Traditional style villas on the seafront in Crete, Greece

126 m² — 157 m²

3

3

Greece, Chania

€418,000 — €865,000

Classic style villas overlooking the bay in Crete

108 m² — 213 m²

3—5

3—5

Double taxation. Some countries haven’t signed double taxation avoidance treaties with Greece. If you come from such a country, you might have to pay double taxes: to Greece and your country of origin.

Mandatory notice. Some countries require citizens to notify the authorities about having or obtaining dual citizenship.

Prohibition to occupy certain posts. Most countries forbid dual citizens to work in government institutions. For example, they can’t be judges, military officers, or deputies.

1. Greece allows its citizens to have dual citizenship.

2. If you don’t have Greek roots, you can get Greek citizenship only by naturalisation. That means you will need to obtain a residence permit, then permanent residence, as well as live in the country for several years before applying for citizenship.

3. An investor can get a Greece Golden Visa, which is a residence permit by investment. To do so, they need to meet certain requirements and make an investment of at least €250,000.

4. Greek dual citizenship has several advantages, such as visa-free travel to 171 countries, an opportunity to move to Greece or any other EU country, a chance to give children European education, and the safety and privacy guaranteed by the EU laws. Greek citizenship can also be passed to the next generations.