ΔΔ:Naturalisation of expatriates residing abroad

2d2b0df2-4ac5-4a3e-9365-6bff77005471 299428 Πολιτογράφηση Ομογενών που διαμένουν στο Εξωτερικό

• At a Glance
• Basic information
• Application
• What you will need
• Requirements
• Fees
• Related
• Output
• Steps
• Digital steps
• Other information
• Feedback
• Legislation
• Categories
• Show Procedure
  • Steps
  • Digital Steps

At a glance

Points of service

Consulates, Central Directorate of Nationality

Digital provision points

• The service is not provided digitally

Number of required documents

8 + (

2

)

Fees

Variable

Estimated Time

18 months

Description

The scope of Article 10 of Law 3284/2004 includes expatriate foreigners who reside abroad and wish to acquire Greek nationality through naturalisation. Consequently, the fundamental attribute of the entitled persons belonging to this category is their indisputable national origin (as a formal condition) in conjunction with the establishment of their national consciousness (an essential condition), attributes which are cumulatively verified by the competent consular authorities during two separate stages.

Basic information

Competent body

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

Authority/Public body’s Unit responsible for the institutional framework of the procedure

Service / organizational unit of a authority entity

Central Directorate of Nationality

Provided to

Bodies that Execute It, Expatriates, Nationals living abroad

Related links

Last update

14/04/2025

Application

Application Type

Application

Submission by:

Submitted by the applicant (exclusively in person)

Submitted by:

Persons

Title

Application for naturalisation

Relevant link

https://shorturl.at/sFMR3

Notes:

The application for naturalisation must be submitted to the competent consular authority (determined on the basis of the interested partys place of domicile) and is deemed admissible if filled out using Greek characters and bearing a recent colour photograph with the seal of the consular authority. It is stressed that, when filing out the application form, the applicants name must fully match the information indicated in the translations of the other supporting documents submitted. Particular attention must be paid to filling out all information concerning the applicant’s national origin, as these are the most crucial parts of the application for naturalisation.

What you will need

Means of authentication, identification and signature

Identification document

Print

Requirements

Fees

Related

Means of redress or appeal:

Judicial redress

Rejection of a naturalisation application is contested by means of an application for annulment filed with the locally competent Administrative Court of Appeal. (Article 7(7) of the Greek Nationality Code, Law 3284/2004, Government Gazette, Series I, No 217).

Output & Results

Output

Decision

Steps

Digital steps

Other information

Alternative titles

Naturalisation of expatriates residing abroad (Article 10 of Law 3284/2004)

Official title

Naturalisation of expatriates residing abroad

Languages supported

Greek, English

Registries updated

Ολοκληρωμένο Πληροφοριακό Σύστημα Ιθαγένειας

ΜΗΤΡΩΟ ΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ

Legislation

Categories

Τype of procedure

Applications, Approvals, Decisions, Registries

Trigger

Applied for

Trigger (submission method)

Public service / public body document

Life events

Citizen’s identity information and identification documents, Expatriates

Type

Outgoing

End of Process

Ιndefinite

D5

   ΔΔ
   
   9
   8
   0

0 3

   0
   
   

   46278
   
   No
   57025800
   38967600
   
   
   
   
   Identification document
   997702
   
   430853, 285779
   
   
   3777
   
   
   Supporting document

The scope of Article 10 of Law 3284/2004 includes expatriate foreigners who reside abroad and wish to acquire Greek nationality through naturalisation. Consequently, the fundamental attribute of the entitled persons belonging to this category is their indisputable national origin (as a formal condition) in conjunction with the establishment of their national consciousness (an essential condition), attributes which are cumulatively verified by the competent consular authorities during two separate stages. 130.00 130.00 8 0 2

18 months

,,,,,,

1 Age The applicant must be an adult.

No No

2 Citizenship The applicant must be a foreign national of proven Greek origin.

No No

3 Establishment The applicant must reside within the territorial jurisdiction of the consular authority with which the application is filed.

No No

4 Administrative Consul report: provided that the applicant’s Greek origin has been certified, the Consul issues an opinion on whether the applicant’s Greek origin meets the substantive requirements, by substantiating the applicant’s expatriate status, taking account of their knowledge in key thematic units concerning Greece and the their level of national consciousness, thus establishing the applicant’s genuine interest in acquiring Greek nationality.

No No

5 Other The existence of a Greek conscience must be established in the interested party.

No No

6 Conditions for non-commission of criminal offenses The applicant must not have been irrevocably convicted of an offence committed with dolus, during the last 10 years prior to date the application for naturalisation was filed, to serve a custodial sentence of at least 1 year or at least 6 months and, irrespective of the date of conviction, for crimes of offences against the insulting the system of government, treason against Greece, intentional manslaughter and grievous bodily harm, crimes related to drug trafficking, money laundering, international economic crimes, crimes involving the use of high technology, currency-related crimes, crimes related to child trafficking, child prostitution and child pornography (Law 3625/2007 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 290), crimes of establishment of or membership in a criminal organisation within the meaning of Article 187 of the Penal Code and offences under Article 187A of the Penal Code, resistance against the authorities, child abduction, crimes against sexual freedom and exploitation of sexual life, theft, robbery, fraud, misappropriation, extortion, usury, violation of the law on intermediaries, forgery, false certificate, swearing to a false certificate, slander, smuggling, crimes relating to weapons, antiquities, trafficking of migrants lacking a residence permit in Greece or facilitating their transport or trafficking or providing accommodation to such persons for concealment.

No No

7 Administrative There are no grounds of public policy or public security for rejecting the application.

No No

1 EUR 100 fee (either for an initial application or for re-submission following rejection). Payable to the consular authority in the form of a triplicate collection bill. 100 €

Cost Calculation One-off

Method of Payment Bank cashier, Digital (debit / credit card), Digital (web banking)

Type of Cost Administrative Fee (not provided by e-paravolo webpage)

No

2 This concerns consular acts requiring payment of compensatory consular fees on the basis of Presidential Decree 16/2014 (Government Gazette, Series I, No 24 of 31 January 2014). 30 €

Cost Calculation One-off, Quantitative

Method of Payment Bank cashier, Digital (debit / credit card), Digital (web banking)

Type of Cost Impost

Fee Link https://www.et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApi/?fek pdf=20140100024

No

1 Naturalisation declaration Declaration

Naturalisation declaration

Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

Submitted by: Persons

Notes: The naturalisation declaration shall be drawn up by the Consul or an employee of the competent consular authority, authorised by the Consul, in the presence of the interested expatriate and two Greek citizens as witnesses, whose full names and police-issued identity card or Greek passport numbers must be recorded in the naturalisation declaration. It is noted that officials of the consular authority may also serve as witnesses for the purposes of the declaration. The naturalisation declaration bears the round seal of the consulate in question and the date of issue.

Document submitted under requirements: No

No 9429

2 Exact copy of the applicant’s passport Identification document

Exact copy of the applicant’s passport

Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

Submitted by: Persons

Notes: The applicant’s particulars must match the information in their birth certificate.

Document submitted under requirements: No

No 2244

3 In the case of a birth certificate prepared by foreign authorities, the original document must bear legal certification (Apostille or the corresponding certification of consular authorities in the case of a country that has not ratified the Hague Convention) and be accompanied by an official translation Certification

In the case of a birth certificate prepared by foreign authorities, the original document must bear legal certification (Apostille or the corresponding certification of consular authorities in the case of a country that has not ratified the Hague Convention) and be accompanied by an official translation

Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

Submitted by: Persons

Notes: The naturalisation decision is issued on the basis of the information contained in the translation accompanying the birth certificate. For this reason, it is necessary to produce a birth certificate or other equivalent certificate of the civil registration of the interested partys birth, as provided for in the legislation of their country of origin.

Document submitted under requirements: No

No 8619

4 Criminal record certificate issued by foreign authorities Criminal Record Copy for General Use

Criminal record certificate issued by foreign authorities

Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

Submitted by: Persons

Notes: A recent criminal record certificate presenting the applicants overall criminal record must be issued by the competent authority, at the care of the interested party, and produced by the applicant, duly certified and officially translated.

Document submitted under requirements: No

No 4750

5 Documents and supporting documents proving Greek origin Proof

Documents and supporting documents proving Greek origin

Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

Submitted by: Persons

Notes: These include data concerning ancestors registrations (even in old population registers no longer in existence), information on the history of their family, consular registrations, acquisition of Greek nationality by their (blood) relatives and consular passports or by similar local authorities.

Document submitted under requirements: No

No 3798

6 Marriage certificate from a foreign authority Certification

Marriage certificate from a foreign authority

Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

Submitted by: Persons

Notes: Where the applicant married abroad, an original certificate issued by the competent foreign authority, duly certified (Apostille or the corresponding certification of consular authorities in the case of a country that has not ratified the Hague Convention) and officially translated, must be submitted. With regard to wives who take the husbands surname after they marry, the marriage certificate must document this change.

Document submitted under requirements: No

No 8619

7 Birth certificate of minor children Certification

Birth certificate of minor children

Submission by: Submitted by the applicant (in person or by post)

Submitted by: Persons

Notes: Necessary for the municipal registration of the applicants children who are minors and unmarried at the time they take their oath, due to automatic acquisition of Greek nationality under Article 10(4) of Law 3284/2004.

Document submitted under requirements: No

No 8619

8 One (1) ID-standard colour photograph Photograph

One (1) ID-standard colour photograph

Submitted by: Persons

Document submitted under requirements: No

No 8298

9 Exact copy of other proof of identity

Exact copy of other proof of identity

Notes: This must be accompanied by an official translation if no Latin characters are used. The applicant’s particulars must match the information in their birth certificate.

Document submitted under requirements: No

Alternative document of: 2

Yes

10 Civil registry birth certificate Birth certificate

Civil registry birth certificate

Relevant link: https://www.gov.gr/ipire...xiarkhike-praxe-genneses

Submission by: Ex officio (digital), Ex officio (manual), Submitted by the applicant (digital)

Notes: Where the applicant was born in Greece, submission of a civil registry birth certificate, duly prepared by the competent Civil Registry of a Greek municipality, is required.

Document submitted under requirements: No

Alternative document of: 3

Yes 9224

11 Civil registry marriage certificate Marriage certificate

Civil registry marriage certificate

Relevant link: https://www.gov.gr/ipiresies...tase/lexiarkhike-praxe-gamou

Submission by: Ex officio (digital), Ex officio (manual), Submitted by the applicant (digital)

Notes: Where the marriage was conducted in Greece, submission of a civil registry marriage certificate, duly prepared by the competent Civil Registry of a Greek municipality, is required.

Document submitted under requirements: No

Alternative document of: 6

Yes 9665

Law 10 3284 2004 217 Α

Description Article 9: Oath-taking Article 10: Naturalisation of expatriates residing abroad Article 11: Acquisition of Greek nationality by children of a naturalised person

Legal references https://www.et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApi/?fek pdf=20040100217

Law 8,9 4735 2020 197 Α

Description Article 8: Fee for the naturalisation of expatriates residing abroad – Amendment to Article 10(1) of the Greek Nationality Code Article 9: Acquisition of Greek nationality by a child of a naturalised person residing in Greece

Legal references https://www.et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApi/?fek pdf=20200100197

Circular 34 2014

Description Guidance on the procedure for the naturalisation of foreign expatriates residing abroad – Article 10 of Law 3284/2004

Legal references https://diavgeia.gov.gr/decision/view/%CE%92%CE%91%CE%A7%CE%9E%CE%9D-%CE%9A9%CE%A7

ΑΔΑ ΒΑΧΞΝ-Κ9Χ

1 Submission of a naturalisation declaration

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Co-responsible for Implementation MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

No No

PT15M PT10M 21705

2 Submission of and issuance of reference number to an application for naturalisation

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Co-responsible for Implementation MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

No No

PT15M PT10M 21705

3 File check

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Co-responsible for Implementation MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

Description The completeness of the supporting documents, especially those from which the identity and Greek origin of the applicant arise, as well as their proper validation and translation are checked.

No No

21705

4 Interview with the Consul

Responsible for Implementation Consular Authority

Co-responsible for Implementation MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

Description The Consul conducts an interview with the applicant in order to ascertain their status as an expatriate and that the substantive requirements for naturalisation are met. In particular, the applicant’s knowledge of the Greek language and level of knowledge of Greek history, geography and political institutions are assessed.

Notes After the interview, the Consul prepares a report.

No No

21705

5 Dispatch of the file to the Central Directorate of Nationality of the Ministry of Interior

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Co-responsible for Implementation MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

Notes All supporting documents are transmitted in their original form.

No No

P6M P3M 21705

6 Receipt and check of the file

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Μethod of Implementation Software action

Description The case receives a reference number and a file number is assigned via the Nationality IIS. The Expatriate Naturalisation Department of the Central Directorate of Nationality checks whether the naturalisation requirements are met.

No No

P4M P1D

7 Search for additional supporting documents

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

Description Where the supporting documents submitted are incomplete or have not been submitted in due form, correspondence will take place in order to submit them in accordance with the established procedure.

No No

8 Ex officio search on grounds of public policy or national security

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Co-responsible for Implementation MINISTRY OF CITIZEN PROTECTION

Μethod of Implementation Software action

Description The competent Expatriate Naturalisation Department submits an online query through the Nationality IIS to the Aliens Division of the Hellenic Police regarding the non-existence of grounds of public order or national security relating to the applicant.

No No

23371

9 Preparation of a draft decision

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

Description Once the file check has been completed and all the required steps have been taken, having considered all the information, a draft decision is drawn up by the competent rapporteur, setting out the full reasons for accepting or rejecting the request.

Notes Processing times may vary from those estimated depending on the complexity of the case.

No No

10 Signing of the decision accepting the request

Responsible for Implementation Competent General Director

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

Description The draft decision is signed by all the department officers in the hierarchy. Once all signatures have been placed, a decision accepting the naturalisation request is issued.

Yes No

9

11 Preparation of a draft summary

Responsible for Implementation Responsible Head of Department

Μethod of Implementation Software action

Description After the decision has been issued, a draft summary is prepared and signed by the rapporteur and the competent Head of the Expatriate Naturalisation Department.

Yes No

10

12 Dispatch of summary to the National Printing House for publication

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Co-responsible for Implementation NATIONAL PRINTING HOUSE

Μethod of Implementation Software action

Description A summary of the decision is sent electronically to the National Printing House for publication in the Government Gazette.

Yes No

81717 11

13 Naturalisation notice

Responsible for Implementation Competent Director

Description Following publication of the summary in the Government Gazette, the Expatriate Naturalisation Department of the Central Directorate of Nationality will send the naturalisation notice to the competent consular authority, so that the naturalised person can be summoned to take an oath.

Yes No

12

14 Summoning the naturalised expatriate to take an oath

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Co-responsible for Implementation MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Description In accordance with Article 9(1) of Law 3284/2004, Greek nationality is acquired upon taking an oath, which must be done within 1 year of the date of publication of the naturalisation decision in the Government Gazette. Following the oath-taking ceremony, a report is drawn up, accompanied by a solemn declaration by the interested party concerning the Greek municipality with which they wish to register both themselves and any minor children.

Notes The naturalisation decision shall be revoked if the oath is not taken within the aforesaid one-year deadline. Therefore, it must be proven that the interested party was notified to take the oath in good time and using all appropriate means by the competent consular authority of their place of residence.

Yes No

P1Y P1Y 21705 13

15 Notice of acquisition of Greek nationality

Responsible for Implementation Competent Director

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

Description After receiving the relevant correspondence from the competent consular authority, the Expatriate Naturalisation Department will forward the supporting documents necessary for completing the municipal registration of the interested party and their minor children to the competent municipality.

Yes No

14

16 Signing of the decision rejecting the request

Responsible for Implementation Competent General Director

Μethod of Implementation Manual Action

Description If the applicant does not qualify for expatriate status (Greek origin and Greek consciousness) and does not meet the formal and/or substantive requirements for naturalisation, a decision rejecting their application to acquire Greek nationality will be issued.

Notes It is noted that rejection decisions are not published in the Government Gazette.

Yes No

9

17 Notification of rejection decision

Responsible for Implementation Competent Department

Description A copy of the rejection decision is sent by the Expatriate Naturalisation Department to the competent consular authority, which will ensure that the interested party is informed.

Yes No

16