Greek citizenship for Russians

Obtaining Greek citizenship is easier than in other EU member countries. And this gives many advantages! It’s not for nothing that last year even Tom Hanks, who lives in “prosperous America,” and his family acquired Greek passports.

The picturesque landscapes of Greece are a good reason to obtain citizenship. Image from freepik.com.

Who can become a Greek citizen?

There are several ways to obtain Greek citizenship. One of the most common and simplest is through naturalization. Foreigners who have lived as residents in the country for at least 7 years, after passing exams and paperwork, receive a Greek passport and the corresponding license. Spouses of Greek citizens can do this in a simplified manner after 5 years of residence in the country. If a child is born in marriage, the period is reduced to 3 years.

automatically granted to children born in marriage to citizens or permanent residents of the country, adopted by a Greek family or born out of wedlock, provided that one of the parents is a Greek citizen. Close relatives of Greek citizens can also count on receiving a passport In accordance with migration legislation, this category includes children, parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Monasticism on Mount Athos or service in the Greek Armed Forces also gives the right to apply for citizenship of the country. Image from freepik.com.

It is possible to obtain citizenship through refugee status after six years of residence in the country in this status. But this option is not suitable for Russians. In recent years, residents of regions of Ukraine where fighting continues have resorted to it more often. Among Russians, in addition to naturalization and marriage, popular options for obtaining citizenship are opening a profitable business or purchasing real estate , costing from 250,000 euros. Close relatives of a businessman or property owner are also eligible for Greek citizenship.

Greek law provides for the possibility of obtaining citizenship for special merits. But this is an option more likely for Tom Hanks, and not for an ordinary Russian. Image from freepik.com.

Please note that the republic does not provide citizenship on a fee basis. That is, you cannot buy a Greek passport, but you can count on it by investing in real estate or the country’s economy.

Methods of acquiring citizenship

Not all of the options for obtaining a passport are equally suitable for everyone, and some are closed in principle if the applicant does not meet certain criteria. There are several ways to obtain Greek citizenship for a Russian citizen.

By birth

This is one of the most frequently requested options. But it is worth noting that birth in Greece does not automatically give the right to citizenship if the child’s parents do not themselves have such status. Otherwise, in the future he will become the owner of a passport based on information about his mother. According to the legislation in force in 2021, if the birth took place in Greece, then for children born from persons without local citizenship, but living in the country, there is a simplified procedure for subsequent acquisition of belonging to the country.

Features of naturalization

The most common option for obtaining a Greek passport. This is due to the fact that the procedure in question is available to almost every foreigner, and the grounds for obtaining such status through naturalization are the broadest.

In order to obtain citizenship on the basis of the voluntary desire of the applicant, in accordance with Article 5 of Law 3284/2004, one must have a residence permit in Greece and have resided permanently in the country for at least 10 years out of the 12 that preceded the submission of the application.

Another option is to stay here for at least 5 years after expressing a desire to undergo the procedure. Children of naturalized citizens born outside the country automatically gain status unless they reach adulthood and marry.

Marriage to a Greek

There is a popular method that, despite the general misconception, is not a basis for automatically obtaining a passport - marriage to a Greek citizen. At the same time, it gives the right to obtain a residence permit under a simplified procedure after three years of running a joint household. And you can start naturalization after 5 years, and in the case of the birth of joint children - three years.

Investing and purchasing real estate

Thanks to changes in legislation, becoming a Greek citizen has become easier in some ways. In particular, when buying real estate. This speeds up not only the naturalization of the owner of the object, but also his immediate relatives. A person who has acquired a house or land worth more than 250 thousand euros automatically receives a residence permit and can issue it to his loved ones: spouse, parents, children. After 8 years, you can apply for citizenship.

You can also acquire an automatic five-year residence permit with the right to extend it if you invest in the country’s economy. With an investment amount of over 40 million euros, a residence permit can be given to ten representatives of other countries participating in such an economic or social project.

Employment

Another way of simplified naturalization is through working in a Greek company. This procedure will require the conclusion of a formal contract between the employed foreign representative and the company. Based on the presence of a residence permit under the contract, the employee can submit an application for Greek citizenship.

Business immigration

Recently, this method of obtaining a Greek indigenous has lost some of its popularity due to the rather high taxes in force in the country. A person who wants to come to Greece and open his own business will first have to ensure that he has a detailed plan and an amount in his account of at least 60 thousand euros as the main requirements for obtaining a business visa. It makes it possible to immediately open a business in Greece and start applying for a residence permit.

For refugees

As in many other countries, there are categories of persons entitled to a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship, which eliminates the need for lengthy naturalization. Refugees, in particular, have this opportunity. After six years, a person with this status can obtain a passport and bring his relatives to the country.

But because Greece is geographically located at the crossroads of several streams of both refugees and illegal immigrants trying to enter the European Union, its government has tightened the requirements for obtaining the coveted status. Compliance with criteria, including a threat to life, freedom, persecution on religious, political or ethnic grounds, is checked especially carefully.

Repatriation

Those whose ancestors were ethnic Hellenes, as well as persons born from citizens of this state, adoptive parents of a Greek child or a child adopted by citizens of the country can count on a special procedure. They are the ones who have the right to repatriate to Greece from Russia.

In case of persons with Greek roots, the presence of the latter will have to be proven to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, documents to which are submitted through diplomatic institutions. If everything goes well, the applicant will be given a special visa, allowing him to exchange it for a passport of a citizen of the country immediately upon crossing the border. Persons of Greek origin who enroll in military service in the country or study at a military university also have the right to immediately receive status.

For special merits

This is another way to quickly obtain citizenship. To qualify, you must have outstanding achievements and special services to Greece. For example, on this basis, Olympic athletes who lived in the country and competed for its national team can obtain a passport. In some cases, citizenship can also be conferred by the President of Greece for special services to the people and the state in the field of state, social and economic activities or outstanding achievements in the field of science, technology, culture.

Benefits of Greek citizenship

Greece is a country of the European Union and Schengen, and therefore its passport opens all borders in Europe and allows visa-free visits to many countries of the world. Also, without any particular difficulties, you can obtain citizenship of any EU country or obtain a visa to the USA and Canada in a simplified manner. In addition, a Greek passport is an opportunity to do business in Europe, study at the best European universities, work in the EU and take out loans from European banks.

One of the most important advantages of Greek citizenship for Russians is the opportunity not to give up a Russian passport, since a corresponding agreement has been signed between the countries.

A Greek passport is not a reason to refuse a Russian one. Image from freepik.com.

How to obtain Greek citizenship?

First you need to apply for a national visa D at one of the Consulates General of Greece in Russia. Upon arrival in the country, you should contact the migration service of the municipality at your place of residence (registration) with a package of documents and an application for a residence permit. The permit document for staying in Greece will be a certificate of acceptance of the application. You can legally stay in the country with it for up to a year or even more (if necessary). But usually the processing takes 3-4 months, and in the case of a “golden visa” even less. After receiving approval, you must take your fingerprints and receive an ID card with biometric data. She acts as a residence permit.

For financially independent foreigners, businessmen and property owners, the document is issued for 2 years, followed by multiple extensions for another 3 years. For those coming to Greece for work, study or advanced training, the validity of the residence permit may be shorter - 6-12 months - depending on the duration of the contract or the duration of the training courses.

After 5 years of residence in the country with a residence permit, you can apply for permanent residence. This document does not require renewal and gives the right to receive a Greek passport after 7-12 years of legal residence in the country - depending on the type of residence permit. The validity period of the Golden Visa is also taken into account if its holder spends more than half of the calendar year in Greece.

Together with the investor, a residence permit and citizenship can be obtained by members of his family: spouse, children and parents. Image from freepik.com.

The rights and opportunities of those who live in the status of residence permit and permanent residence are almost the same as those of Greek citizens. The restriction concerns only the right to elect and be elected, to work in law enforcement agencies, and to hold public office.

If the deadlines for mandatory legal residence in the country are met, then the foreigner can begin collecting documents to obtain citizenship and a passport. This is an application form, a foreign passport, a permanent residence card, photographs, medical insurance, a certificate of tax deductions for the last year and a certificate of income.

To obtain a passport and become a full-fledged Greek citizen , you must:

• Pass the Greek language proficiency exam . An exception is made for those who studied at local schools or universities and have already successfully passed their final exams;
• Take several tests on your knowledge of the legislation, culture and history of Greece. As a standard, no more than 10 errors are allowed in tasks of 30 questions. Some exams are taken in writing, some in the form of an interview;
• Provide documents confirming the grounds for obtaining citizenship. This could be certificates of kinship or marriage, investments and business, the presence of real estate or Greek roots, etc.

Testimonials from the place of work and from neighbors, confirming integrity, law-abidingness, respect for the culture and history of the country, will also not be out of place.

To obtain Greek citizenship, you must take an oath within 12 months of approval. Image from freepik.com.

Applying for Greek citizenship: requirements in 2021

Applicants for Greek citizenship are carefully screened. Before submitting papers to obtain a Greek passport, you should know the following:

• it is impossible to obtain citizenship if there are problems with the law;
• there should be no diseases that pose a danger to others;
• the income level must be appropriate;
• Almost all applicants, with some exceptions, are required to speak Greek.

If a person meets these requirements, he can begin to draw up documents.

Who cannot become a Greek citizen?

According to the laws of the country, you cannot obtain a passport in the following cases:

• when the applicant has a criminal record;
• violations of visa rules were recorded, as well as facts of deportation to their homeland;
• when the applicant is infected with an epidemically dangerous disease;
• if the citizen has not reached the age of majority.

European Golden Visas

Among European countries that issue “golden visas”/residence permits for investments, Greece is rightfully one of the most attractive. The reason is the general popularity of the country, financial accessibility and ease of obtaining residency under the program.

Let's compare Greece with other countries that provide golden visas to foreigners:

1. Greece . A residence permit can be obtained immediately for five years when purchasing one or more real estate properties with a total value of 250 thousand euros. After obtaining permanent residence and a total of 7 years of residence, you can count on citizenship;
2. Spain . The amount of investment in real estate here is twice as large as in Greece. And you will have to spend 1.5-2 times more on additional costs for obtaining a residence permit, permanent residence permit and citizenship - about 30 thousand euros per family;
3. Kip r. To obtain a permanent residence permit, you must invest at least 300 thousand euros in a new Cyprus building and have at least 30,000 euros in your local bank account. But the main disadvantage is that the country is not part of Schengen;
4. Latvia . The size of the deposit is the same as in Greece, but you must additionally pay a fee of 5% of the value of the property. In addition, in terms of climate, Latvia is clearly inferior to the Balkan republic;
5. Portugal . You can get a five-year residence permit here for purchasing real estate from 350 thousand euros. But this only applies to a certain number of objects over 30 years old that are subject to reconstruction, which is not suitable for everyone;
6. Malta . The island nation does not offer citizenship by investment, but does offer a five-year, multiple-renewable residence permit without the obligation of permanent residence. But in addition to purchasing or renting real estate (12 thousand euros per year or 270 thousand euros, respectively), it is necessary to invest in government bonds (from 250 thousand euros), pay an administrative fee (30 thousand euros) and confirm an annual income of at least 100 thousand euros.

Having compared the conditions, it is not difficult to come to the conclusion that Greece’s offer is currently the most profitable. It is not surprising that over 500 Russians took advantage of the Greek investment program last year, not counting other methods of obtaining a residence permit, permanent residence and citizenship.

No matter how attractive Greek citizenship may seem, one should not forget about the difficulties. The truth about Greece through the eyes of an immigrant.

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What documents need to be collected

Persons wishing to obtain Greek citizenship in accordance with Article 6 of Law 3284/2004 must submit a rather impressive package of papers. Their list has some differences depending on the procedure by which the applicant is entitled to receive a passport. It includes:

• application form;
• autobiography;
• internal civil passport with copies of all its completed pages;
• international passport with copies of all sheets. If there are other foreign passports that are no longer valid, then you must submit them as well;
• birth certificate;
• residence permit or other documentary evidence of the existence of a reason to stay in the country;
• a document confirming the absence of debt in 2021 to the Greek tax authorities;
• a document certifying that the person has no criminal record over the past ten years;
• a medical certificate from a Greek medical institution confirming that the citizen does not have diseases classified as socially dangerous;
• agreement for long-term rental of housing in Greece or ownership of it;
• papers (bank statements, receipts, statements) that confirm a sufficient level of legal income for the applicant and his family to live without social assistance from the state (except for refugees and repatriates);
• four photographs, like for a passport.

Refugees must submit documents confirming their status. Repatriates are also required to submit:

• papers certifying the presence of Greek origin;
• certificate of Orthodox baptism.

A special certificate of enrollment in the monastery staff is submitted by monks, for whom there is also a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship.

Documentation requirements

All foreign language papers must be translated into Greek by an accredited bureau. The translation must also be notarized. An exception exists for papers issued by countries of the European Union.