Key Takeaways
• Both the US and Greece allow dual citizenship; no need to renounce US citizenship when acquiring Greek nationality.
• Greek citizenship can be obtained through descent, naturalization, marriage, or investment (Golden Visa), each with specific requirements.
• Applicants must meet residency, language, and legal criteria; standard application fee is €700 with processing times of one to four years.
Many people with ties to both the United States 🇺🇸 and Greece 🇬🇷 wonder whether they can have and keep citizenship in both countries at the same time. The answer is yes. Both countries allow what is called “dual citizenship,” meaning you can hold passports and enjoy rights from both places. If you are a US citizen and want to become a Greek citizen, you do not have to give up your US citizenship when you apply for and later receive Greek citizenship. There are rules and steps to follow, and the process can sometimes feel confusing, but with careful planning, you can hold two passports without breaking any laws in either country.
Let’s break things down. First, we’ll look at the basic rules about US citizenship and dual citizenship. Next, we’ll explain the different ways you can become a Greek citizen, with details for each path. Then, we’ll walk through residency requirements, language and civics expectations, and the application process. We’ll finish with information about costs, children, the rights and duties you have as a citizen of both countries, and what to do if your application is denied.
Dual Citizenship: US and Greece
The United States 🇺🇸 recognizes the idea that you can be a citizen of more than one country. The US government does not tell people to choose between US citizenship and another citizenship, such as Greek citizenship. As reported by VisaVerge.com, you may obtain Greek nationality through one of several official routes while still keeping your US passport and US citizenship rights.
Greece 🇬🇷 also allows dual citizenship. You can hold a Greek passport and another country’s passport at the same time. You must, however, understand your responsibilities as a dual national. You are “subject to the laws of both countries.”
What does this mean in simple terms?
- When you travel in and out of the United States, you must use your US passport.
- When you are in Greece or dealing with Greek authorities, you can use your Greek documents.
- Both countries expect you to fulfill the legal duties of their citizens. This could include taxes, military obligations (for some people), and following the laws in each place.
There is no law in either country that forces US citizens to give up US citizenship when adding Greek citizenship, or vice versa.
Pathways to Greek Citizenship
There are several ways to apply for and obtain Greek citizenship. The right path for you depends on your personal history, family background, and sometimes the amount of investment or time you are willing to commit to living in Greece.
1. Greek Citizenship by Descent
This is the most common path for people whose parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents were born in Greece. If you have Greek ancestry, this is likely the fastest and simplest route.
What do you need?
- Proof of your Greek lineage. This usually means providing birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other family papers showing your connection to a Greek ancestor.
- Sometimes, extra steps are involved if a family record is missing or hard to find.
You will need to collect these documents from US and Greek sources, ensure they are officially translated into Greek, and have them authenticated (often with an “apostille” stamp, which is an official way of making foreign documents valid in Greece).
2. Greek Citizenship by Naturalization
This path is open to people who have lived in Greece for a certain number of years and want to become a full part of Greek society.
Requirements:
- You must live legally in Greece for at least 7 years before you can apply.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You cannot have a serious criminal record.
- You must show that you know the Greek language well enough to talk, read, and write (at least a B1 level, which is a lower-intermediate level of language skill).
- You should be familiar with Greek culture, customs, and history.
If these requirements fit your life, you can apply through the normal naturalization process.
3. Greek Citizenship by Marriage
If you are married to a Greek citizen, you may have an easier route to citizenship.
What does this involve?
- You usually need to be married for at least three to five years.
- You have to live in Greece for a certain period (the exact time can vary).
- Marriage alone does not automatically grant you citizenship—you still have to follow the application steps and submit required papers.
4. Greek Citizenship through Investment (Golden Visa)
This path is aimed at people who have enough money to invest in Greece. Known as the “Golden Visa” program, it allows you to get residency at first, then apply for citizenship later.
What is required?
- You must invest at least €250,000 or €500,000 in Greek real estate, depending on the area.
- You can apply for Greek residency through the Golden Visa program.
- After living in Greece for 7 years, you can apply for full citizenship.
This route is best for people who want to live or invest in Greece and have the means to make a sizable financial commitment.
Residency Requirements
If you are applying by descent, you do not need to live in Greece before applying. However, for naturalization and Golden Visa (investment) paths, you need to live in Greece for at least 7 years. During this time, you should keep good records, pay taxes, and obey Greek laws.
Language Proficiency and Civics Knowledge
Applicants for Greek citizenship (apart from descent) must show they can speak and understand the Greek language at a B1 level. This is a testable skill, which means you may need to take a language exam.
- For language: You can prepare using local Greek schools or tutors.
- For culture and history: There is also an exam to test your basic knowledge of Greek society, traditions, and key events.
Passing these tests is important. The government will not grant citizenship without proof of your ability to communicate in Greek and basic understanding of its culture.
Application Process: Step-by-step
No matter which pathway you choose, the road to Greek citizenship involves paperwork and official steps.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Check that your US passport, birth certificate, and any required documents are updated. If you have Greek ancestors, start with family papers.
Step 2: Translate and Authenticate
All non-Greek documents must be translated into Greek. Official translators or consulates can help. Documents also need to be authenticated for use in Greek government offices.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Depending on the pathway, file your completed application and all paperwork with the right Greek office. For most, this will be at the local municipality or at the Greek Ministry of Interior.
Step 4: Pay the Fee
The standard application fee is €700 for first-time applicants from non-EU countries, which includes those from the United States.
Step 5: Wait for Processing
Greek citizenship processing times vary. It can take between one and four years to finish the review, approval, and granting of citizenship.
Some paths or special cases may be faster, but most take time. You can check the status by contacting the Greek authority where you filed your application.
You can find more guidelines and useful information for Greek citizenship at the official Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Fees and Costs
Alongside the main application fee, prepare for extra costs. These can include:
– The cost of translations and authentication of documents.
– Payments to lawyers or consultants (if you choose to use them).
– Additional processing fees for background checks, if needed.
Remember to keep all receipts and copies for future reference.
Interview and Oath
For many applicants, especially those using the naturalization route, there may be an interview with Greek officials. They might ask you questions about your life in Greece, language ability, or why you want to become a Greek citizen. Typically, you will also attend an oath ceremony where you pledge loyalty to Greece, much like the Naturalization Oath Ceremony in the United States.
Rights and Responsibilities
With both US citizenship and Greek citizenship, you have a special place in each country.
Your rights include:
- The right to live, work, and travel freely in both the United States and Greece.
- The right to vote in both countries (subject to each country’s rules).
- The ability to hold a passport from both countries.
Your responsibilities:
- You must obey the laws of both countries.
- You owe “allegiance” (loyalty) to both.
- You may have duties such as paying taxes. Some US citizens living abroad must still file tax forms with the US.
- Men of Greek descent may be subject to military service in Greece, though there are sometimes exemptions or adjustments for people living outside Greece.
Always check with each country’s embassy or official website to stay informed about current laws and expectations.
Dual Citizenship for Children and Dependents
If you become a Greek citizen, your minor children may also be eligible for citizenship. If they meet the requirements, you can include them in your application or file a separate application for them. Make sure to gather birth certificates, proof of relationship, and identification papers for each child.
Each country’s rules about passing citizenship to children can differ. US law allows parents to pass US citizenship to children born abroad in many cases, as long as certain residency and legal conditions are met.
Special Cases: Military Service and Other Provisions
For some, Greece requires military service from male citizens between certain ages. Dual citizenship holders who mainly live outside Greece can often apply for deferment or reduction of obligations. The exact rules may shift, so always review up-to-date information before making travel or residency plans.
If you serve in the military of another country, including Greece, without first asking the US government, you usually do not lose US citizenship. However, acts like serving in a foreign government’s high office or fighting against the United States may pose problems. These cases are rare but can affect your US citizenship status.
Denials and Appeals
Not all applications are approved at once. Common problems include missing or incomplete paperwork, language test failures, or questions about residency. If your application is denied:
– You will receive a written explanation.
– You will have a right to appeal within a set timeframe (varies by the type of rejection).
– Gathering extra evidence or correcting paperwork often helps in appeals.
Seek help as soon as possible if you run into problems.
Case Examples
Example 1: An American, born in California to a Greek grandmother, collects documentation proving her ancestry. She applies through descent and, after her papers are reviewed, becomes a Greek citizen within two years. She keeps her US citizenship.
Example 2: A US citizen moves to Greece for work, lives there legally for 8 years, and applies to become Greek through naturalization. After passing the language and culture tests, he is granted Greek citizenship and may hold both US and Greek passports.
Example 3: A wealthy US investor buys property in Athens through the Golden Visa program. After living in Greece with a residence permit for seven years, she applies for citizenship and keeps her US status as well.
Resources for Citizenship Preparation and Help
For the latest forms, news, and requirements, always check the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal. Local Greek consulates in the United States can also help with translation and filing. You can also get information on US passport use and dual citizenship rules at the official US State Department website.
Private immigration lawyers or consultants may help, but always make sure they are trusted and experienced with both US and Greek law.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Becoming a Greek citizen while keeping your US citizenship is possible, and many Americans do this every year. The key steps are to pick the right pathway—descent, naturalization, marriage, or investment—gather all needed documents, follow each country’s rules, and be ready for tests and possible interviews. Understanding and keeping up with the rights and responsibilities in both the United States 🇺🇸 and Greece 🇬🇷 is important for a happy and legal life in both countries. When in doubt, get advice from official sources or legal counsel familiar with both countries’ requirements.
Having US citizenship and dual citizenship with Greece opens up travel, business, and personal opportunities in both countries. It also carries legal duties, so stay informed, prepare well, and enjoy the benefits of belonging to two cultures and countries.
Learn Today
Dual Citizenship → The legal status of being a citizen of two countries at the same time, with rights and duties in both.
Naturalization → The process by which a foreign national acquires citizenship in another country after fulfilling certain requirements.
Apostille → A certificate that authenticates documents for use abroad, making them legally recognized by other countries.
Golden Visa → A residency-by-investment program allowing individuals to obtain residency, and later citizenship, by investing in real estate.
B1 Level → A lower-intermediate language proficiency based on the Common European Framework, indicating the ability to communicate effectively in daily situations.
This Article in a Nutshell
Dual citizenship between the US and Greece is entirely legal. Applicants can pursue citizenship through descent, naturalization, marriage, or investment. Careful document preparation, language proficiency, and adherence to both countries’ laws are essential. Children and dependents can also benefit. The process involves costs, duties, and wonderful cultural opportunities in both nations.
— By VisaVerge.com
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