Greek Citizenship Applications and Passports
Not sure where to begin or just want further information? Have a read of the below to find out more!
Do you want to apply for a Greek passport?
We can translate your documents for you. Read some of the information below prior to starting your Greek citizenship journey.
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GREEK PASSPORT – FIND OUT MORE!
Why apply for Greek citizenship?
There are numerous benefits to applying for Greek citizenship even if you already have an Australian or New Zealand passport. Whether it being pursuing a life as a digital nomad, retaining a close connection to the mother country, ensuring that your own children can one day apply for Greek citizenship or the various visa free arrangements which Greece has with many countries – the options are endless.
Heritage
Stay close to your roots by taking out Greek citizenship and retaining a connection with the homeland. Only citizens can take out identity cards and other documents required for life in Greece.
Migration
If you are wanting a change in pace in life or considering life as a digital nomad, a Greek passport might be just the way to escape the rat race and live a simpler and more fulfilling life.
Travel
Did you know that Greece and Cyprus have visa-free regime arrangements with many countries? This means that if travelling on a Greek passport you won’t need to apply for a visa prior to travel.
Who can apply for Greek citizenship?
There are various ways of applying for Greek citizenship, even if you were born in Australia or New Zealand. We’ve provided summaries from the Greek Embassy in Australia here to assist you below.
GREEK CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT – GREEK PARENTS
You may be eligible to apply for Greek citizenship by descent if you meet the following criteria:
- One or both of your parents were Greek citizens at the time of your birth
- One of your grandparents was a Greek citizen (additional documentation required)
- You can prove Greek ancestry through proper documentation
Greek citizenship law is based on the principle of “jus sanguinis” (right of blood), meaning citizenship is acquired through Greek ancestry rather than place of birth.
Read more below to find out what you need to do in order to apply!
GREEK CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH
Greek citizenship by birth applies to children born in Greece to at least one Greek parent, or children born abroad to Greek citizen parents who register the birth with Greek authorities.
Read more below to find out what you need to do in order to apply!
GREEK CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE
You may be able to apply for Greek citizenship if you are married to a Greek citizen and meet specific residency requirements, typically at least three years of residence in Greece.
Read more below to find out what you need to do in order to apply!
Please note that we are not Migration Agents, nor giving any migration advice, and that we encourage you to contact your local Greek Embassy or consulate listed below for more information.
Which documents do I need to apply for Greek citizenship by descent or through emigration?
Below is the list of documents which our clients are often asked for when applying for Greek citizenship by descent. We encourage you to contact your local Greek Embassy or Consulate for advice as requirements do sometimes change.
If your documents are in English, then they will all need to be translated by an official translator into Greek. We can help translate your documents for you!
All official Australian or New Zealand documents must have an Apostille stamp on them. An Apostille stamp verifies that your document is an official document and the contents of the document are true – only the Australian or New Zealand government can provide this stamp.
All Apostille stamps should be obtained before you send us your documents for translating – as this must be translated into Greek.
Australia: You can organise an Apostille stamp by contacting Notarial Services via this link and by booking an appointment or sending them your document in the post.
New Zealand: You can organise an Apostille stamp by contacting the New Zealand authorities via this link.
We can help translate all your Australia or New Zealand documents into Greek for you!
Steps to Apply for Greek Citizenship by Descent in Australia or New Zealand
If your parents or grandparents are Greek, then you may be eligible to apply for Greek citizenship under Greek Citizenship Act!
Step One: Obtain relevant documentation
You will need to gather all of the relevant documents below in order to support your citizenship application.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE WITH APOSTILLE STAMP – TRANSLATED
You will need an original Australian or New Zealand birth certificate with an apostille stamp affixed to the back of it. Both documents must be translated into Greek by an official certified Greek translator.
CERTIFIED COPY OF YOUR ID
You will need to present a Certified Copy of a valid Australian, New Zealand or other passport or Certificate of Citizenship to prove which country you are currently a citizen of.
All of the information on this document must match the names in the birth and marriage certificates.
PROOF OF BOTH PARENTS GREEK CITIZENSHIP
You will need to provide proof that both your parents are Greek citizens.
This must be in the form of a Certified Copy of a valid Greek passport, Greek Identity Card or original Certificate of Citizenship issued no more than 6 months ago.
These copies must be certified by a Justice of the Peace.
As they will already be in Greek, they do not need to be translated.
APPLYING WITH ONLY ONE GREEK PARENT
If only ONE of your parents is a Greek citizen, then you will have to provide slightly different documentation to support your citizenship application.
Required from you will be:
- A Certified Copy of a valid Greek passport or identity card, or original Certificate of Citizenship issued no more than 6 months ago, for the parent who is a Greek citizen. As above, this needs to be certified by a Justice of the Peace.
- A Certified Copy of a valid passport for the parent who is not a Greek citizen. As above, this needs to be certified by a Justice of the Peace.
- Proof that the individual applying for citizenship has been registered in the Civil Registry for Births. Importantly, this can only be done up until the age of 23.
- For children from the ages of 14 to 18, you will also need your parent or guardian to co-sign the request to be registered in the Greek Civil Registry for Births.
We can help translate all your Australia or New Zealand documents into Greek for you!
Step Two: Complete the Application Form
If you are applying for Greek citizenship by descent then you must fill out this form:
Greek citizenship by descent.
You must provide accurate information about:
- Your last place of residence (if applicable)
- Your parents’ details and last place of residence
- Your Greek ancestor’s details
This form must be filled out in the Greek language. If you are unable to do so, then we can translate it for you and assist with completing the form in Greek.
Step Three: Pay Money Order and Send Documents to the Greek Embassy
You will need to pay the required consular fees as specified by the Greek Embassy or Consulate.
Once completed, all of your documents including the application form, originals, certified copies, translations, and payment must be submitted to the appropriate Greek Embassy or Consulate in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although it may seem daunting at first, applying for Greek or Cypriot citizenship is a fairly straightforward process for most. Here are some of the questions which we commonly get asked by our clients.
Do I need a lawyer or migration service?
No! Most our clients apply for citizenship on their own without engaging any lawyers or citizenship services. It is entirely possible, and cheaper, to follow the steps on the Greek government website and apply on your own.
How do I get the required documents?
You can ask family in Greece or Cyprus, or email/call civil registry offices in Greece and Cyprus yourself and request that they provide official documents such as birth certificates from your ancestors.
Do I need paper or digital translations?
The Greek embassy seems to prefer printed and ‘wet stamped’ certified translations, so we always mail copies out to clients when we know that they are applying for Greek citizenship.
Looking for a NAATI Certified Greek translator?
Just send us a message!
Where is my closest Greek Embassy or Consulate?
All of the information provided on our website is general in nature and we recommend contacting your nearest Greek embassy or consulate below to find out more information on how to apply for Greek citizenship.
Canberra
Embassy of Greece
- 9 Turrana Street, Yarralumla 2602
- gremb.can@mfa.gr
- +61 2 6271 0100
- https://www.mfa.gr/australia
Canberra
High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus
- 30 Beale Crescent, Deakin ACT 2600
- hccanberra@mfa.gov.cy
- +61 451 578 298
- http://www.mfa.gov.cy/highcomcanberra
Sydney
Consulate-General of Greece
- Level 2, 219-223 Castlereagh Street , Sydney, NSW 2000
- grgencon.sid@mfa.gr
- +61 2 9284 5500
- https://www.mfa.gr/sydney
Melbourne
Consulate-General of Greece
- 37-39 Albert Road , Melbourne, VIC 3004
- grgencon.mel@mfa.gr
- +61 3 9866 4524
Adelaide
Consulate-General of Greece
- Level 4 32 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, SA 5000
- grgencon.ade@mfa.gr
- +61 8 8212 4366
Brisbane
Consulate of Greece
- Level 25, 239 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000
- grhoncon.brsb@mfa.gr
- +61 7 3218 9700
Perth
Consulate of Greece
- Level 8, 16 St George’s Terrace , Perth, WA 6000
- grcon.per@mfa.gr
- +61 8 9325 6608
- https://www.mfa.gr/perth
Darwin
Consulate-General of Greece
- Suite Unit 34B, 21 Cavenagh Street, Darwin, NT 0800
- greekconsulatedarwin@gmail.com
- +61 8 8981 7979