Does Greece allow dual and multiple citizenships?
Dual citizenship is permitted in Greece. Having more than one citizenship is also allowed. This implies that if you choose to obtain a Greek passport, you are not required to give up your present citizenship or citizenships.
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The following applies to dual citizens: Greece will treat you as a citizen whether you are within the nation or not. However, the Greek authorities will not consider you a Greek citizen while you are in the nation of your other citizenship.
The rights and obligations of dual nationals who also have Greek citizenship are the same.
One can seek for dual Greek citizenship based on naturalization, military service, or descent, or it can be awarded to them immediately at birth.
Affluent people frequently opt to apply for Greek citizenship under the Golden Visa initiative.
Note that certain nations forbid holding dual citizenship with Greece. These nations include, for instance, China, Malaysia, and India.
It is forbidden for members of some professions, including ministers, judges, military personnel, and deputies, to possess more than one citizenship.
Table of Contents
ToggleFive methods to apply for a passport to Greece
1. Descent. A person is eligible to apply for a Greece passport if their parents or grandparents are Greek. The applicant submits documentation, including birth, marriage, and baptism certificates, to demonstrate their lineage.
2. Active duty in the military. By enlisting in the Greek military or attending the Military Academy, ethnic Greeks can become citizens.
3. The process of naturalization. A foreigner must have a valid residence permit and dwell in Greece for seven years before applying for citizenship through naturalization. Additionally, they would have to pass a test in Greek.
4. Union. Greek citizenship cannot be acquired by marriage alone. Nonetheless, a Greek citizen’s spouse may apply for permanent residence three years after the marriage and then file the necessary paperwork to become a citizen five years later.
5. Investment. While a residency permit can be acquired by investment, Greek citizenship cannot be directly acquired. The Golden Visa is another name for this residency visa. In order to obtain it, you must make economic investments in Greece. Once you have lived there for a number of years, you may then apply for citizenship through naturalization.
Seven advantages of Greek citizenship
1. Travel to 171 countries without a visa. The Schengen Area, the USA, the UK, Canada, Japan, and several more countries are among them.
2. Greece is a safe refuge. Greece is open to residents with Greek passports moving there at any moment and staying for as long as they like.
3. The ability to relocate to any nation in the EU. Greece’s residents are free to go to and reside in any other EU nation as long as they have a valid EU passport. Also, they are permitted to work in any EU member state.
Nonetheless, upon arrival, newcomers must register at the police station or immigration office in the majority of EU nations.
4. Commercial prospects. EU market access is granted to holders of Greek citizenship. You may operate a business, maximize taxes, and open a bank account in any EU member state with a Greece passport.
5. Education for youngsters. All EU member states offer university education to their citizens. They are entitled to preferential terms: in many nations, EU citizens pay either no tuition at all or less than that of non-EU citizens.
6. Passing down citizenship. Even if they were born abroad, Greek citizens’ children and grandchildren may become citizens of the nation by descent.
7. Security and seclusion. Greeks enjoy the same rights to privacy and safety as other EU citizens. This comprises:
The drawbacks of holding two Greek citizenships
taxation twice. Certain nations have not ratified conventions to prevent double taxation with Greece. You may be required to pay taxes to both Greece and your place of origin if you are from one of these nations.
Mandatory notice. In several nations, attaining or retaining dual citizenship requires people to report the situation to the authorities.
restriction on holding specific positions. The majority of nations prohibit dual citizens from employment in public offices. They cannot be deputies, judges, or military officers, for instance.
The Citizenship by Investment Program Application Process
Getting a Greek Golden Visa is the most well-liked investment scheme for getting dual citizenship in Greece. Let’s get started with the application procedure now that the eligibility requirements and prerequisites for this program have been provided.
Step 1: Choose your home after consulting with an agency
Selecting the investment criteria and a property that fits the minimum investment requirement—€250,000 or €500,000, depending on the location—is crucial during the initial phase. The staff at Mirabello Consulting Agency is prepared to help you choose from the many Greece Golden Visa homes that are available to discover the perfect property.
Step 2: Finish the legal process
This phase consists of a few crucial steps that are all necessary to get a Greece Golden Visa. A Greek Non-Resident Tax number is a must for any financial activities and investment in Greece, therefore you’ll need to get one first. It is also advisable to open a Greek bank account since it shows that you are committed to living and investing in the nation. You also have the option to sign a power of attorney, which gives someone else the right to act in your place in certain financial or legal affairs pertaining to your Golden Visa application. Think about your reliable partner, Mirabello Consultancy, who will make everything worry-free.
Step 3: Complete the purchase of real estate
Completing the purchase of the Greek home of your choice is a crucial step in getting your Golden Visa. To make sure the property satisfies all legal criteria, our knowledgeable attorneys will perform a comprehensive “Legal Due Diligence” on it. After this is completely finished, you will have the promissory sale and buy agreement, which will include the conditions of the deal. Lastly, a public deed will be executed by you, formally transferring title of the property to you.
Step 4: Get the application process started
You must gather the required paperwork before beginning the Greece Golden Visa application procedure. Obtaining a valid passport, evidence of investment funds, personal identity documents, health insurance, and any other necessary documentation are all part of this process. For the application procedure and government submission to run well, it is imperative that all papers are accurate and full. You don’t have to worry about this procedure since our team will assist you in maintaining organization and ensuring that everything is ready.
Step 5: Send in your info
The government will ask for the submission of the applicant’s biometric data after approving the application materials and eligibility of each applicant, including the investment property. This is a crucial prerequisite for the Greece Golden Visa application procedure. This step entails giving your fingerprints—as well as maybe other biometric data—to the appropriate Greek authorities. This information is needed to complete your application and confirm your identity. Every candidate completes this phase in person in Greece.
Step 6: Get approved for a Greece Golden Visa
Your application for a Greece Golden Visa will be processed and granted when the preceding stages are finished, and you will receive a five-year valid Golden Visa. You can then renew your residency permit for an additional two years. You can seek to become a Greek citizen if you have a seven-year residency visa.
In summary
We have discussed Greek dual citizenship in this post, addressed frequently asked concerns regarding how to apply for Greek citizenship, the best ways to do so, eligibility requirements, and advantages of holding Greek citizenship. You can attempt to demonstrate your Greek ancestry, invest, fulfill residency and language competence criteria, and submit different papers for verification, depending on what suits you best. People can effectively obtain Greek dual citizenship and profit from it by completing all the requirements.