Comprehensive Guide to Acquiring Greek Citizenship in 2026: Categories, Requirements, and Fees

The Hellenic Republic, or Greece, offers several established and legally defined pathways to obtaining citizenship. This guide focuses entirely on the official government requirements for naturalisation and other key routes, as mandated by the Greek Nationality Code (Law No. 1438/1984, as amended), with a focus on evergreen content for 2026. This column embeds official links from the Ministry of Interior and related government platforms.

The requirements are extensive and strictly enforced, demanding a high degree of integration and commitment to the country’s language and culture.

A. Categories for Greek Citizenship Acquisition

Greek citizenship is primarily acquired through four main legal categories. The most common route for foreigners without Greek ancestry is Naturalisation.

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B. Naturalisation (Category 1) – The Main Path

This path is for individuals who have built a life in Greece. It is a rigorous process that tests the applicant’s integration.

The Golden Visa and Citizenship

The Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program, not direct citizenship by investment.

• Investment Requirement: The investment threshold begins at a minimum of €250,000 in real estate, depending on the area. This investment provides a 5-year legal residence permit for the investor and their family.
• Path to Citizenship: Golden Visa holders are subject to the same Naturalisation requirements as other applicants. They must maintain legal residency for seven continuous years and must pass the Certificate of Knowledge Adequacy for Naturalisation (PEGP) exam and meet the financial stability requirements (A1) before being eligible to apply for citizenship.

B1. Core Naturalisation Requirements

The applicant must meet all the following conditions as detailed by the General Secretariat for Citizenship under the Ministry of Interior:

1. Age: Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
2. Residence: Have seven years of continuous and legal residency in Greece before applying (reduced to 5 years for EU citizens and refugees).
3. Good Character: Have a clean criminal record. The Greek Nationality Code states the applicant must not have been irrevocably convicted of certain crimes with a sentence of at least six months or one year, depending on the crime.
4. Financial Stability: Demonstrate the ability to maintain a stable source of income and financial self-sufficiency, often through the submission of Tax Declarations (income tax statements).
5. Integration: Pass a written exam, the Certificate of Knowledge Adequacy for Naturalisation (PEGP).

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B2. The Integration Exam (PEGP)

The PEGP is the most critical requirement for naturalisation and was introduced to ensure objective evaluation, as confirmed by the Gov.gr platform.

• Structure: It is a written exam that tests knowledge in four thematic sections, requiring a pass rate of at least 80% (16 correct answers out of 20 total questions) for all sections combined.
• Thematic Sections:
  1. Greek Language (equivalent to B1 level of the CEFR).
  2. History of Greece (6 questions).
  3. Geography of Greece (4 questions).
  4. Greek Culture and Political Institutions (6 questions on the Constitution and governance).
• Exemptions: Applicants are exempt from the PEGP exam if they have successfully completed nine classes of primary and secondary education, or six classes of secondary education, or possess a degree from a Greek university.

• A. Core Requirements: Residence, Income, and Integration
• For general Naturalisation, the applicant must prove that they have adopted Greece as their home, which includes demonstrating financial self-sufficiency to avoid becoming a burden on the state’s social welfare system.
• A1. The Financial Self-Sufficiency (Income) Requirement
• The Greek Nationality Code mandates that applicants must provide documents proving their economic independence. This is primarily demonstrated through official Tax Declarations (income statements) for a significant period preceding the application.
• Minimum Adequate Income: The required annual income is not a fixed, universal amount but is determined by Ministerial Decision and increases with the size of the family. According to Ministry of Interior regulations, an applicant must prove an annual income that ensures an adequate standard of living.
  • Single Applicant (Indicative Minimum): The income generally starts at over €8,500 annually, corresponding roughly to the minimum annual salary.
  • Family Application: The required income increases for a spouse and each child. For example (based on previous official circulars), the minimum can be approximately €9,000 for a married couple with one child.
• Duration of Proof: Applicants are required to prove this adequate income not just for the year prior to application, but for the years of legal residence required for the naturalisation application:
  • 3-Year Route (e.g., EU citizens, spouses of Greek citizens with a child): Must prove sufficient income for 3 years.
  • 7-Year Route (General Naturalisation): Must prove sufficient income for at least 5 years prior to the application date.
• Proof: Adequate income is proven via Tax Declaration Statements (E1 and E3 forms) filed with the Greek Tax Authority (AADE). The income of the spouse is also calculated in the total required income.
• A2. Family and Housing Requirements
• When the whole family is applying (i.e., the principal applicant is naturalising and their minor children acquire citizenship automatically), the focus remains on the principal applicant’s income and stability.
• Family Inclusion: If the primary applicant successfully acquires Greek citizenship, their minor children (under 18) automatically acquire Greek citizenship without any further procedure or additional cost. The applicant must simply declare their family status and submit the required certificates (birth, marriage) when taking the oath.
• Housing Arrangement: While there is no official “house ownership” requirement for the general naturalisation path, applicants must provide proof of established residence in Greece. This is documented by providing photocopies of their last few Tax Declarations and official documents that prove residence, such as a House Rental Statement or a contract of ownership for a property. This evidence is a key component of proving social and economic integration.

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C. Naturalisation Fees, Application, and Documents

C1. Fees to Apply

The government fees are non-refundable and must be paid as a fee (paravolo) before the application.

• Naturalisation Application Fee (Third-Country Nationals): The fee is typically €700. (This fee can be reduced for subsequent applications).
• PEGP Exam Fee: The cost to participate in the Knowledge Adequacy Certificate exam is €250.
• Total Government Fees: The total mandatory government fees (excluding passport/ID costs) are approximately €950.
• Translation Costs: All non-Greek documents must be officially translated into Greek, typically by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Translation Service or a Greek lawyer included in the Register of Certified Translators.

C2. Where and How to Apply

1. PEGP Exam: Applicants first apply online to participate in the PEGP exams via the official Gov.gr platform.
2. Declaration and Application: The applicant submits the full Application for Naturalisation to the competent Citizenship Directorate of the Decentralised Administration in their place of residence.

C3. Required Documents (General Checklist)

While the official checklist should be confirmed with the local Directorate, the standard documents required, as outlined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for applications generally include:

• Naturalisation Declaration: Submitted at the Municipality where you reside.
• Naturalisation Application: Addressed to the Ministry of Interior.
• Valid Passport: Photocopy.
• Residence Permit: Proof of continuous legal residence (e.g., Long-Term Residence Permit or a valid EU Permanent Residence Certificate).
• Birth Certificate: The original document must bear legal certification (Apostille) and be officially translated into Greek.
• Criminal Record Certificate: A recent certificate issued by foreign authorities, bearing the Apostille and officially translated.
• Proof of Financial Stability: Photocopy of your last few Tax Declarations.
• PEGP Certificate: The acquired Certificate of Knowledge Adequacy or proof of exemption.
• Family Status Certificate: Required for spouses/parents applying under reduced residence requirements.

In conclusion, acquiring Greek citizenship through Naturalisation is a detailed process defined by a multi-year residence commitment, significant financial stability proof, and a mandatory demonstration of robust language, history, and cultural knowledge, all strictly regulated by the Ministry of Interior and the General Secretariat for Citizenship.