Residency
Greece — Residency: Citizenship
Greek naturalisation requires 7 continuous years of lawful residence (since L. 4674/2020), a written Greek knowledge exam and integration evidence, decided by the Ministry of Interior in about a year.
VerifiedProfessional tax guide — not a government sourceAsylum Information Database (AIDA/ECRE) – Greece: naturalisationLast reviewed: 2026-10-26
Key facts
- Applicants need 7 continuous years of lawful residence, raised from 3 by L. 4674/2020 in March 2020.
- Sufficient Greek is required and applicants must pass the written Certificate of Adequacy of Knowledge for Naturalisation, held usually in April and November; those over 62 or with 68%+ disability may take it orally.
- Applicants must also know Greek history, geography, culture and constitutional institutions; 2025 pass rates were about 45%-51%.
- Applications go to the Citizenship Directorate where the applicant lives and the Ministry of Interior decides; processing took about one year in 2025 for complete files.
- Other conditions include majority age, no listed convictions in the last 10 years, a qualifying residence permit and economic and social integration; exam participation costs EUR 150.