At a glance
Points of service
Digital provision points
- The service is not provided digitally
Number of required documents
Fees
100 €
Deadline of completion
1 year
Description
Basic information
Competent body
Last update
12/03/2025
Application
Application Type
Submission by:
Title
Notes:
All fields in the application form must be completed. They must be completed in capital letters, in Greek characters or in Latin characters (LAT) where required. Where there are tick boxes, select one by ticking it: v .
Dates are filled in with numbers in the order day, month, year (e.g. 15/10/2022). If it is not possible to complete in detail, it is sufficient to indicate the year.What you will need
Means of authentication, identification and signature
Identification document
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1
1
A true copy of all pages of the valid passport or travel document or other identity document. ...
Identification document
A true copy of all pages of the valid passport or travel document or other identity document.
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Notes: In the case of a personal submission and/or submission in the presence of a lawyer, if the passport is shown to the official of the nationality office, an exact copy of the passport may be kept for official use. Where the application for naturalisation is sent by post, if the copy of the passport is not certified by a lawyer, the person concerned must either be invited to the office in order to follow the procedure referred to above or be asked to send an exact copy by a lawyer.
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2
2
Special Identity Card for Expatriates. ...
Nationality document
Special Identity Card for Expatriates.
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Notes: It is noted that the beneficiaries of the procedure are expatriates who hold a Special Identity Card for Expatriates and not the spouses of expatriates who may be settled with a Special Identity Card for Expatriates as alien spouses of expatriates.
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3
3
Original birth certificate, duly certified and officially translated. ...
Birth certificate (Census)
Original birth certificate, duly certified and officially translated.
Relevant link: Link
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Notes: The birth certificate shall be submitted in an original form as already marked by No. 8/P.130181/29365/28.5.2010 circular of the Ministry of the Interior. For the case of applicants born in Greece, it shall be sufficient for the authoritarian search for a relevant birth order and in this case a foreign authoritys birth certificate shall be presented only if there is a differentiation of its names from the information recorded on its foreign passport.
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4
4
Solemn Declaration with the name and surname of the expatriate, as he/she wishes to be indicated in ...
Solemn Declaration
Solemn Declaration with the name and surname of the expatriate, as he/she wishes to be indicated in the naturalisation decision. The expatriate may, if he/she wishes, proceed with the Hellenisation of his/her given name and surname.
Relevant link: Link
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Relevant Procedure: Solemn declaration and electronic solemn declaration
Notes: A declaration of identity stating that the name has been Hellenised: "I wish my name and surname to appear on my naturalisation decision, as follows .........................." , where you fill in your name and surname, in Greek, in lower case (not capital letters), underlined, indicating how you wish them to appear on the naturalisation decision, if the request is accepted. The Solemn Declaration shall be issued either electronically through gov.gr (Link) website, or supplemented and filled in through the signature authenticity (issued by KEP or gov.gr) or by the website of the Ministry of Interior (Link) or by the website of the Ministry of Interior.
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6
5
One (1) colour photograph of identity card dimensions. ...
Photograph
One (1) colour photograph of identity card dimensions.
Relevant link: Link
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Relevant Procedure: MyPhoto for citizens
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7
6
A copy of the last financial years statement of account. ...
Proof of Income
A copy of the last financial years statement of account.
Relevant link: Link
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
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5
7
Original marriage certificate, duly validated and officially translated. ...
Certification (conditional)
Original marriage certificate, duly validated and officially translated.
Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)
Submitted by: Persons
Notes: For spouses who acquire their husbands surname after marriage, this change must be reflected in their marriage certificate.
Document submitted under requirements: Yes
Document’s requirement: Family
Requirements
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1
Identity
The applicant must be a holder of a Special Identity Card for Expatriates.
Link Link
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2
Age
The applicant must be an adult.
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3
Citizenship
The applicant must hold a valid passport of his/her country of origin.
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4
Citizenship
The applicant must have another type of identity card certificate (in case of not a valid passport holder of his/her country of origin).
Alternative condition of 3
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5
Conditions for non-commission of criminal offenses
He/she must not have been irrevocably convicted of an offence committed intentionally, during the last ten years prior to the submission of the application for naturalisation, to a sentence of imprisonment of at least one year or at least six months and irrespective of the date of the conviction, for crimes of insulting the constitution or treason against the country, manslaughter with intent and dangerous bodily harm, crimes related to drug trafficking and trafficking in drugs, money laundering, international economic crimes, crimes involving the use of high-tech media, currency crimes, crimes related to child trafficking, child prostitution and child pornography (Law No. 3625/2007, Government Gazette 290 A), crimes of constitution or membership of a criminal organisation within the meaning of Article 187 of the Criminal Code and crimes under Article 187 A of the Criminal Code, resisting arrest, child abduction, crimes against sexual freedom and economic exploitation of sexual life, theft, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, usury, the law on intermediaries, forgery, false certification, theft of false certification, slander, smuggling, crimes relating to weapons, antiquities, the promotion of immigrants who lack a residence permit within the country or facilitating their transport or promotion or providing them with accommodation for concealment.
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6
Establishment
The applicant must be a permanent resident in a municipality within the territorial jurisdiction of the Regional Integration Department in which the application is submitted.
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7
Of National Security
The applicant must not be subject to public policy and public security considerations.
Fees
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1
Submission/recurrence of Expatriates, Citizens of the EU, Natives/Political Refugees, Retaliations
100 €
e-Administrative Fee code 2161
Cost Calculation One-off
Method of Payment Bank cashier, Digital (debit / credit card), Digital (web banking)
Type of Cost e-Administrative Fee
Fee Link Link
Related
Means of redress or appeal:
Administrative appeal
Rules concerning a lack of reply from the competent authority and the legal consequences for the use:
Tacit rejection
Output & Results
Output
Steps
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1
Submission of application and supporting documents
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation Software action
Description The persons concerned shall submit their application for naturalisation to the Regional Directorate of Nationality in their place of permanent residence in person or by means of a proxy lawyer or post by registered letter.
Notes The official shall receive and at the same time check the completeness of the supporting documents; he shall then number the dossier and protocol through the Nationality Integrated Information System and commit the fee.
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2
Charging to an official
Responsible for Implementation Competent Department
Μethod of Implementation Software action
Description The Head of the Culture Department of the Regional Citizenship Department charges to rapporteur the file to be processed and controlled
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3
Examination request by rapporteur
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation Software action
Description During the examination of the application for naturalisation, it shall be checked that the conditions for naturalisation are fulfilled, and that the draft decision by the staff member is adopted and signed.
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4
Examination request from Head of Department of Culture
Responsible for Implementation Competent Department
Μethod of Implementation Signature
Description The competent Head of Department of Culture shall check the application, supporting documentation and fulfilment of the conditions for naturalisation and shall sign the draft decision.
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5
Decision on request
Responsible for Implementation Competent Director
Μethod of Implementation Signature
Description National Regional Director responsible signs the decision to accept or reject the application for naturalisation
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6
Rejection of a naturalisation application
Responsible for Implementation Competent Director
Μethod of Implementation Signature
Description Rejection of a naturalisation request if the conditions for naturalisation as laid down in the Act are not met
Notes An appeal may be brought before the Minister of the Interior within an exclusive period of 30 days following the notification of the present decision, in accordance with Article 8 of Law No. 3200/1955 (FEK 97/A) in conjunction with Article 1(2) of Law No 2503/1997 (A 107), and Article 45 of Law No.4604/2019 (A50), as replaced by Article 37 of Law No.4674/2020 (A53) above.
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7
Publication of a requesting decision in FEK
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation Software action
Description A summary of the decision to obtain Greek citizenship is sent to the National Print Office.
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8
Swearing and order of registration in the Civil Registry
Responsible for Implementation Competent Director
Μethod of Implementation Signature
Description Following publication in a FEK, the applicant is invited to take an oath followed by the order to register in the Citizens Registry to the Municipality of Registration.
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9
Applicant Information
Responsible for Implementation Competent Employee
Μethod of Implementation Software action
Other information
Alternative titles
Official title
Languages supported
Legislation
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Law 4604/2019 (Government Gazette 50/Α) Articles 42 παρ.1
Description Paragraph 3 of Article 23 of Law 3838/2010 I49, as replaced by paragraph 9.b of Article 142 of Law 4251/2014 I 80, is replaced by the following: "3. For the acquisition of Greek citizenship, a summary of the decision of the Minister of Interior in the Official Journal of the Government is required and Article 9 of the Code of Greek citizenship applies accordingly. The decision is justified, in accordance with Article 8 of the same Code and is published and published within one year from the date of submission of the relevant application with full supporting documents."
Legal references Link
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Law 4251/2014 (Government Gazette 80/Α) Articles 142 παρ.9
Description Article 23 of Law 3838/2010 is amended as follows: a. in paragraph 1 of Article 23, the following indent is added: "Solemn Declaration with the name and surname of the expatriate person, as he/she wishes to be indicated in the decision of the Secretary-General of the Decentralised Administration in the Official Journal of the Government. The Greek nationality shall be obtained from the publication of the above decision, not applicable in accordance with Article 9 of the same Code. The decision shall be justified in accordance with Article 8 of the Code of Nationality, as amended by this Law, and shall be issued and published in the Official Journal of the Government in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Legal references Link
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Law 3838/2010 (Government Gazette 49/Α) Articles 23
Description 1. Expatriates holding Special Identity Cards for Expatriates acquire Greek Citizenship by decision of the Secretary General of the Region of their place of permanent residence. The relevant application is submitted to the competent department of the Region of the place of permanent residence of the persons concerned and is accompanied by: a. a copy of a passport or other proof of identity, b. a special identity card of a homogeneous person, c. birth certificate or other equivalent certificate provided for by the legislation of the Country of first citizenship, d. a fee of EUR 100. ε. a declaration stating the name and surname of the expatriate, as he/she wishes to be mentioned in the naturalisation decision. The expatriate may, if he/she wishes, proceed to the Hellenization of his/her first name and surname. As amended by paragraph 9 of Article 142 of Law 4251/2014 with effect from 1/4/2014. 2. If the person concerned was born in Greece, the birth certificate is sufficient. The competent department of the Region shall ex officio seek a certificate of criminal record for judicial use and shall submit a question regarding the existence of reasons of public order and security against the person concerned to the competent police authorities, which shall reply within the time limit and under the conditions of subparagraphs b) and c) of para. 2 of Article 7 of the Code of Greek Nationality. Provided that there are no criminal impediments in the person of the applicant other than those provided for in Article 5 paragraph 1(b) of the Code of Greek Citizenship, as amended by this Law, or reasons of public security, the Secretary General of the Region shall proceed to issue the relevant decision without an interview of the person concerned before the relevant Naturalisation Committee or its recommendation. The Secretary General of the Region may refer the case to the Commission, in particular due to doubts, if the substantive requirements for naturalisation under Article 5A of the Greek Nationality Code are met. 3. For the acquisition of Greek Citizenship, the publication of a summary of the decision of the Minister of Interior in the Government Gazette is required, and Article 9 of the Code of Greek Citizenship is applied accordingly. The decision shall be reasoned in accordance with Article 8 of the same Code and shall be issued and published within one (1) year from the submission of the relevant application with full supporting documents. As amended by Par.1 Article 42 of Law 4604/2019 with effect from 26/3/2019 4. Pending applications for naturalization of expatriate holders of a Special Identity Card for Expatriates, which are already being examined by the competent department of the Ministry of Interior, Decentralization and Electronic Government, shall be processed in accordance with the previous provisions, within two years from the entry into force of this law. The provisions of case b of par. 1 of Article 5, Article 5A, subparagraphs b and c of Par. 2 of Article 7 and Article 8 of the Code of Greek Citizenship, as amended by this Law, shall apply mutatis mutandis to such pending applications. Pending applications pending at the time of publication of this Law in the competent services of the Regions shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of this Article. Pending applications pending at the time of publication of this Act in the competent services of the municipalities shall be forwarded to the Regions and processed in accordance with the provisions of this Article. As amended by paragraph 9 Article 142 of Law 4251/2014 with effect from 1/4/2014.
Legal references Link
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Law 3284/2004 (Government Gazette 217/Α)
Description Code of Greek Nationality.
Legal references Link
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Circular 14/2018
Description Provision of directives on the revocation of decisions on the classification of homogeneous holders of a Special Identity Card for Expatriates because their status as expatriates is disputed.
Legal references Link
ΑΔΑ ΩΒΟΛ465ΧΘ7-ΛΚΛ
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Circular 130181/30570/2017
Description Modification of a circular 5.2/2012 on the naturalisation of homogeneous foreign holders of a Special Identity Card for Expatriates.
Legal references Link
ΑΔΑ 6ΩΤΙ465ΧΘ7-1ΥΓ
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Circular 11/2014
Description Amendments tο the Code of Greek citizenship (N.4251/2014)
Legal references Link
ΑΔΑ ΒΙΗΝΝ-ΝΝΥ
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Circular 130181/7779/2013
Description Supplement to Circular No. 52 of the Directorate of Citizenship of the Ministry of Interior with AIA:B4MBN-EM1
Legal references Link
ΑΔΑ ΒΕΑΚΝ-ΔΒΗ
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Circular 52/2012
Description Provision of clarifications regarding the naturalization procedure for expatriate foreigners of foreign nationality who hold a Special Identity Card for Expatriates. - Article 23 of Law 3838/2010.
Legal references Link
ΑΔΑ Β4ΜΒΝ-ΖΜ1
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Circular 8/2010
Description Circular directive of law 3838/10: Amendment of the Code of Greek Citizenship Article 23 of Law 3838/2010 establishes a special regulation for expatriate holders of Special Identity Card for Expatriates.
Categories
Τype of procedure
Trigger
Trigger (submission method)
Type
End of Process
Ιndefinite
