Want to apply for Greek citizenship? Then you will want to learn everything you can about the Greek citizenship test – an exam that aims to assess candidates on Greek language proficiency, history, culture, geography of the nation, the functioning of the government, and Greek society.
In this article, we will guide you through what the Greek citizenship exams consist of and how you can finally become a Greek citizen.
About Greek Citizenship
Individuals can apply for and get Greek citizenship if they are Golden Visa holders and have been residing in Greece for at least seven years.
Once they obtain Greek citizenship status, they will be given a Greek identity card that enables them to start living in Greece. Then, they will be eligible to enjoy all the freedom and rights that come with being a Greek citizen – including having the authorization to vote in elections as Greek citizens. Additionally, by obtaining Greek citizenship, they will be granted the status of an EU citizen – enabling them to reside in any of the EU countries.
Benefits of Greek Citizenship
There are various advantages to enjoy when you acquire Greek nationality. We are highlighting a few below:
- Attractive investment opportunities
- You can include your family members in your golden visa application
- Access to visa-free travel in the Schengen area for you and your family
- For the renewal of your residence permit, you are not required to stay in Greece for a certain period of time
- You can put your property on rent post-purchase
- You will be eligible to apply for citizenship after seven years
- High quality of education, healthcare, and life in general
- Learning the Greek language
How to get Greek Citizenship
There is a number of ways to get Greek Citizenship and these are citizenship by birth, citizenship by descent, citizenship by naturalization, citizenship by marriage, and Greek Golden Visa.
Citizenship by birth, as the name suggests, means that any child born to Greek parents will obtain Greek citizenship. Although the law is very clear when children are born on Greek territory, you might stumble upon a couple of obstacles if they are born in a different country. Typically, the child will then obtain the citizenship of the country in which it was born, and that makes it ineligible for Greek citizenship.
Although citizenship by descent and birth are quite similar, citizenship by descent is passed down generations. That means you can have a legal claim of Greek citizenship even if your grandparents are Greek. For this type of citizenship, it’s important to prove the Greek origin and prepare the correct paperwork.
If you’ve been living in Greece for at least seven years and you’ve integrated into the society, you can appy for Greek citizenship by neutralization. Once you’ve ticked that box, you may apply for Greek citizenship by providing all necessary paperwork. This process entails completing tests, and once you’re done with that, you can apply to obtain a Greek passport
Finally, investors who fell in love with Greece and have invested at least €250,000 (and this goes up to €500,000 for larger areas such as Athens, Thessaloniki, and Mykonos). Through this program, you can also get residence permits for your family members.
Greek Citizenship Exams
The written test is conducted bi-annually and follows an assessment approach that is in accordance with Panhellenic examinations. The written Greek Citizenship exam has a total of 20 questions divided into different thematic portions – four questions each on Greek geography, and culture, and six questions each on Greek history, and operations of the Greek parliament system. Applicants will also need to prove their knowledge of the Greek language in a written, and oral exam at par with the B1 level.
The minimum passing rate for this exam is 80% of the maximum score. By passing Greece’s citizenship test, you will be awarded a “Certificate of Adequacy of Knowledge for Naturalization”, which you can use to acquire Greek nationality.
What is the Greek Citizenship Exam?
The Greek Citizenship test is an exam designed for all those who want to acquire Greek nationality. The test consists of two parts, a written and oral exam. Each part is treated separately and you can’t access the oral part if you haven’t showcased knowledge of the Greek culture, language, and history.
Who has to take the Greek Citizenship Exam?
Foreign nationals looking to obtain Greek citizenship will need to pass two Greek citizenship exams that ensure they have adequate knowledge of the Greek language, history, and culture. These would be a written “Panhellenic” exam, followed by an oral part of the Greek Citizenship exam. Once you complete both you will acquire Greek nationality.
What subjects are covered in the Greek Citizenship Exams?
To become a Greek citizen, you have to prove you understand the Greek language, history, and culture. It’s important to note that the test will be in the Greek language and it’s not available in any other language.
How much does the Greek Citizenship Exam cost?
Candidates interested in taking the test need to pay a fee of €250.
What will happen after the written exam?
Once you pass the test, you’ll be eligible to sit for the interview with the Greek Ministry’s General Secretariat for Citizenship. The interview will take place between the candidate and two officials representing the Ministry. A fee amounting to €550 is needed to take the interview. Following the interview, the Interior Ministry and the National Transparency Authority will make the final decision with regard to your application for a Greek residence permit.
Greek Citizenship Exam – Exemptions
There have been certain changes in the Greek Citizenship Act. According to the new bill, the following individuals are exempted from taking the exam.
- Graduates from schools and universities in Greece. However, they need to sit for an interview and also show proof of their completion of schooling/university education in Greece
- Candidates who are 67 years old or more and specially-abled applicants. In these cases, the applicants need to sit for oral exams instead of written ones.
Greek Citizenship – Application Guidelines
Upon receiving their Greek residence permit, applicants need to reside in Greece for seven years to obtain Greek citizenship. Please note that this rule doesn’t apply to the following individuals:
- European Union nationals
- Anyone with a spouse who is a citizen of Greece and has a child with that individual
- Custodian of a Greek citizen
- Political refugee
The above-mentioned individuals can reside in Greece for three consecutive years and apply for citizenship. As per the 2022 Requirements, the following conditions need to be met for a successful application:
- You need to be at least 18 years or older
- You should not bear any criminal history
- You should have a basic understanding of the Greek language
- Should not be under a deportation procedure
- Show proof of harmonious relationship with the Greek community
Procedure
After submitting the required documents with your application for citizenship and putting in a request for the written part of the Greek Citizenship exam, relevant authorities will contact you to schedule an interview with the Naturalization Committee, who will then decide whether or not you succeed with your application.
The aspects that you will have to consider for you to be successful are:
- That you have some Greek language proficiency
- That you harmonize and integrate with the Greek community
- That you are familiar with the history, culture, and political history of Greece
- That you contribute to professional activities
- That you contribute to social activities with other Greek citizens
- That you pay your part in contributions and taxes
- That you own property in Greece
- That you have Greek relatives
To familiarize yourself with Greek society, and prepare for the application interview, you can read books that give you a peek into Greek geography and history, Greek nationality, and culture. One such recommended book is “Greece: the Second Country”.
Your application wait time relies on your current location and paperwork progress. Considering all things, you can expect your waiting time to be approximately three years. The final nod to your application is granted by the Interior Ministry in Greece and is finally announced by the official gazette.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Greek Nationality Test 2024
How do you qualify for Greek citizenship?
To apply for Greece citizenship, you need to stay in the country for a minimum of seven years or more. Apart from this, you also need to prove you have existing relationships with the country and have a basic idea of Greece’s culture, art, history, and political system.
What is the Greek citizenship test?
The citizenship test is for foreign-born nationals looking to reside in Greece and obtain citizenship in the country. The test evaluates a candidate’s basic knowledge of Greek history, language, and culture. Applicants need to pay an amount of €250 for the written test. After that, you need to complete the interview round by submitting a fee of €550.
Can I obtain a Greek passport if I marry a citizen of Greek nationality?
You can acquire Greek citizenship by marriage if you are married to a Greek citizen with a child and have been living in the country for a minimum of three years. After obtaining Greek citizenship, you can apply for Greek passport.
How can one be eligible for Greek citizenship by descent?
Owing to the Greek citizenship code, individuals born outside Greece but have either parents or grandparents born in the country are legally entitled to apply for Greek citizenship by descent.
How long does it take to get Greek citizenship by descent?
Greek citizenship by descent application takes around three years to get processed.
Does Greece allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Greece permits its citizens to have dual citizenship.
Is the Greek Citizenship exam available in languages other than Greek?
The test is entirely in the Greek language. That means that it isn’t available in any other language and you’ll need to learn to speak Greek to complete it successfully.
