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Citizenship · Greece

Greek citizenship by naturalisation

For long-term residents of Greece, including golden visa holders who actually live there.

Seven years of lawful continuous residence, Greek at B1, the PEGP civics exam, a clean record and sufficient income. The period is 3 years for EU citizens, refugees and spouses of Greek citizens with a common child. Greece has no citizenship-by-investment programme.

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Facts checked on

Greek naturalisation in figures

GreeceEUSchengen

Years to citizenship
7 yearsChecked onsourcesecondary source
Sources behind each figure

How it works

Residence, language and an exam

A golden visa gives residence; citizenship still needs 7 years of actual residence and the exam.

Seven years, or three

7 years of lawful continuous residence; 3 for EU citizens, refugees and spouses of Greek citizens with a common child.

Greek B1 and the PEGP

Applicants pass Greek at B1 and the civics exam known as PEGP, and show a clean record and sufficient income.

Holding a golden visa does not by itself mean continuous residence: the years must be lived in Greece.

Who this is not for

  • Investors expecting citizenship for an investment
  • Golden visa holders who live elsewhere
  • Applicants without Greek at B1

How we handle it

We check continuity of residence, prepare civil records and the application, and tell you when the exam certificate is needed.

What you getEUSchengen

What Greek citizenship gives

Requirements

Who can naturalise in Greece

Five conditions.

Applicant

  • 7 years of lawful continuous residence (3 in listed cases)
  • Greek at B1
  • PEGP civics exam
  • Clean criminal record
  • Sufficient income
Reasons for refusal

Three-year cases

  • EU citizens
  • Refugees
  • Spouses of Greek citizens with a common child

Golden visa years

Count only if you actually lived in Greece continuously.

Who this is not for

  • Non-resident investors

Where files usually break

Residence that was not continuous and missing exam results.

Seven years in Greece?

Indicative prices; the final quote depends on your case. We usually reply within one business day.

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Process

From residence check to citizenship

Three steps.

  1. 01We

    Residence check

    We check continuity and the applicable period.

    Written note

  2. 02You

    Exam and records

    You pass B1 and the PEGP; we arrange translations.

    Complete file

  3. 03Authority

    Decision

    The Greek authorities decide.

    Greek citizenship

    What you receive

    • Residence note
    • Filed application
Our part
Not published
AuthorityGreek citizenship authorities
Not published

After the decision

  • Apply for a Greek ID and passport.

Get a quoteDocuments

Refusals

Why applications are refused

Three grounds.

Checked on

Reason for refusalWhat closes itLegal basis
Residence not continuousWe check stays and permits before filing.7 yearsChecked onsecondary sourceGreek Citizenship: Requirements and How to Qualify in 2026
PEGP or B1 missingWe ask for certificates first.Not published
Insufficient incomeWe check income evidence.Not published

Before filing

  • Golden visa years count only as actual residence.

Long term

Long-term residence first

EU long-term resident status after 5 years of uninterrupted legal residence.

  1. Permit validityNot published
  2. Years to permanent residence5 yearsChecked onsource
  3. Years to citizenship7 yearsChecked onsourcesecondary source
  • Long-term residence after 5 years
  • Citizenship after 7
Migration Code:Greek Citizenship: Requirements and How to Qualify in 2026

Changes

Dated changes in Greece

Updated

NaturalisationOpen

DateWhat changedApplies toSource
ReformGovernment announced a rise of property transfer tax for non-EU individual buyers from 3% to 15% from 1 Jul 2027 (announcement only, no bill yet).Whole countryIMI Daily
TransitionEnd of the MiCA transitional regime at the latest; unauthorised crypto-asset service providers may no longer operate.Whole countryEuropean Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)
ReformLaw 5275/2026 in force: single permit reform, EU Blue Card validity 3 years, tech visa for startup employees, digital nomads must apply for a type D visa before entry, golden visa 5-year term runs from card issuance.Whole countryHellenic Law Firm
ReformHCMC Decision 8/1059 sets the MiCA CASP authorisation procedure under Law 5193/2025.Whole countryTsamichas Law Firm
ReformNew small-business VAT exemption scheme (EUR 10,000 domestic threshold) applied from 1 Jan 2025.Whole countryEuropean Commission
ReformLaw 5100/2024: golden visa property thresholds raised to EUR 800,000 / 400,000 (EUR 250,000 kept only for conversions and restorations); short-term rental of golden visa property banned; Pillar Two minimum tax transposed.Whole countryPwC Worldwide Tax Summaries

Check your eligibilityHow often we check changes

Documents

Documents

Four documents.

Checked on

DocumentWho issues itApostilleTranslationWho prepares
Applicant
Residence permits historyGreek migration authorityNoNoYou provide
Birth certificateCivil registry of birth countryYesYesYou provide
PEGP certificateExam authorityNoNoYou provide
ApplicationPrepared from your recordsNoNoWe prepare

Send us your permit history.Get a quote

Request

Check your Greek naturalisation

Permit history and nationality are enough.

Privacy Policy

We use your details only to answer this request.

We usually reply within one business day.

Legal disclaimer

The information on this site is general and is not legal advice for your specific situation.

Legal disclaimer

Questions

Greek citizenship: short answers

From our reference.

Rules

Can I get Greek citizenship through the golden visa?

Not directly. Greece has no citizenship by investment; you need 7 years of continuous residence, B1 and the PEGP exam.

How many years for Greek citizenship?

7, or 3 for EU citizens, refugees and spouses of Greek citizens with a common child.

What language level is required?

Greek at B1.

Sources

Where the figures come from

Greek sources behind this page.

1Sources
SourcePublisherTypeChecked on
Secondary sources
Greek Citizenship: Requirements and How to Qualify in 2026Global Citizen SolutionsSecondary sourcessecondary sourceChecked on
Editorial policy

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Greek citizenship by naturalisation: 7 years, Greek B1 and PEGP exam | Clearfile