How To Get Greek Citizenship by Descent: Complete Guide for 2026
- Greece Media
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Greek citizenship by descent is the most common path to becoming a citizen of Greece. For millions of people worldwide, it represents a way to reclaim their heritage, reconnect with family roots, and enjoy the rights of living, working, and studying anywhere in the European Union.
For the Greek diaspora, however, the process of proving citizenship by descent can feel overwhelming. From tracking down old birth certificates to navigating consulates abroad, many families who qualify never complete the journey. Some are discouraged by missing documents, while others lose years to frustrating back-and-forth with Greek authorities.
This is where expert help changes everything. GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) has built a proven system to help families secure Greek citizenship by descent without the stress. With a bilingual team, legal partners in Greece, and years of experience handling government cases, we do the work on your behalf so you can focus on enjoying the result.
This guide answers the most common questions people ask about Greek citizenship by descent, from eligibility and documents to country-specific challenges. Along the way, you will see how GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) handles the entire process for you.
How To Apply For Greek Citizenship by Descent - Do You Qualify
If you have a parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent born in Greece, you may qualify for Greek citizenship by descent. The process involves proving your family connection through certified documents such as birth and marriage certificates, then legalizing and translating them for use in Greece.
On paper, it sounds simple. In practice, this is where applicants encounter delays:
Missing or damaged records from decades ago
Inconsistent spelling of names across Greek and English documents
Long waits at Greek consulates abroad
Rejections due to incomplete paperwork
With GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media), you do not have to worry about these obstacles. We track down the records in Greece, arrange apostilles and translations, and build a complete case that the government accepts.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
Do I Need a Lawyer To Get My Greek Citizenship by Descent
The law does not require you to hire a lawyer. However, Greek citizenship by descent cases often involve legal filings and communication with Greek ministries. Without legal support, it is easy to submit the wrong documents or miss a requirement.
GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) works with experienced attorneys in Greece who know exactly how to prepare and present citizenship by descent cases. This dramatically improves approval rates and reduces stress.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
What Documents Are Needed for Greek Citizenship by Descent
Typical requirements include:
Birth certificates of the applicant and Greek ancestor
Marriage certificates for each generation linking the family tree
Baptismal certificates if civil records are unavailable
Apostilles for all foreign documents
Government-approved translations into Greek
Where problems arise:
Some records exist only in church archives, not state offices
Names may not match exactly across languages
Families often overlook the need for apostilles
Unofficial translations are rejected
GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) eliminates these risks. We locate and retrieve ancestral records, manage apostilles, and ensure translations meet government standards.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
What If My Parents Are Not Citizens of Greece
If your parents never registered as Greek citizens, you may still qualify through grandparents. Many members of the diaspora have parents born abroad but grandparents born in Greece.
The challenge is proving the chain of descent with legally valid documents from both countries. Without professional help, families often run into inconsistencies that stall the case.
GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) specializes in connecting those generational gaps so your application is accepted.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
What If Neither My Parents Nor Grandparents Are Citizens of Greece
If you cannot prove Greek citizenship by descent through your parents or grandparents, other paths exist, such as naturalization or marriage. However, these are far more complex and usually require residency in Greece.
GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) can evaluate your personal situation and advise if you are eligible for citizenship under alternative routes.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
How Do I Get a Greek Passport
A Greek passport is issued only after your citizenship by descent is officially recognized. Once you are registered as a Greek citizen, you can apply for the passport at a Greek consulate or directly in Greece.
Many applicants confuse the order, trying to apply for a passport before securing citizenship. GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) ensures your file is accepted, so the passport application becomes a quick final step.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
How Do I Apply If I Live in America
Greek consulates in New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere are overwhelmed. Appointments often take months, sometimes over a year. Each consulate applies rules differently, leaving families frustrated.
With GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media), you bypass this entirely. We file your Greek citizenship by descent application directly in Greece and finish the process on your behalf.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
How Do I Apply If I Live in Canada
Canada has only a few Greek consulates, each serving huge regions. Families in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver often wait months for appointments, only to face requests for additional documents.
GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) removes this barrier. We manage your citizenship by descent application directly in Greece, without consular bottlenecks.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
How Do I Apply If I Live in Australia
Australia’s Greek community is one of the largest in the world, and demand for citizenship by descent is high. Consulates in Melbourne and Sydney are overloaded, with long queues and inconsistent instructions.
GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) handles your case in Greece, cutting through the backlog and completing the process for you.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
How Do I Apply If I Live in Europe
Living in Europe makes travel to Greece easier, but it does not make the paperwork simpler. Applicants often assume residency in another EU country is enough, but it is not. Others attempt to file at Greek municipal offices only to be turned away for missing documents.
GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) manages your citizenship by descent application directly in Greece, ensuring it is filed correctly the first time.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
What Is Greek Citizenship by Descent
Greek citizenship by descent means you are recognized as a citizen of Greece because of your ancestry. If one of your parents, grandparents, or sometimes even great-grandparents was born in Greece, you may be entitled to citizenship.
While it is a right under Greek law, the burden of proof is entirely on the applicant. That is why missing or mismatched documents can cause years of delay.
GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) bridges this gap by retrieving records, preparing translations, and completing the entire process on your behalf.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
How GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) Handles This For You
The biggest advantage of working with GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) is that you never have to manage the bureaucracy yourself. You give us the information and documents you already have, and we complete the case for you.
We retrieve missing Greek records from archives and municipalities
We handle apostilles and legalizations in your home country
We provide certified Greek translations
We prepare and file your application directly in Greece
We communicate with authorities and resolve issues on your behalf
We keep you updated while you sit back and let us finish the process
It is a done-for-you service from start to finish.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
Why Work With GetGreece To Get Your Creek Citizenship
Families across the diaspora trust GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) for several reasons:
Deep knowledge of Greek law and government procedures
A bilingual team that communicates clearly
A proven track record of successful cases
A client-first approach that makes the process stress-free
Instead of struggling through bureaucracy alone, you can rely on experts who handle citizenship by descent every day.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
What To Do After Getting Greek Citizenship
Securing Greek citizenship is a major milestone, but it also comes with new responsibilities. Once you are officially recognized as a Greek citizen, you are expected to comply with Greek laws, including tax obligations and property matters connected to your family in Greece.
Two common areas where new citizens need support:
Greek Tax Representation
Even if you live abroad, Greek citizens are required by Greek law to have a tax representative in Greece if they file or report income, own property, or inherit assets. Handling this alone is frustrating and time-consuming, especially when dealing with the Greek tax office. GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) becomes your trusted tax representative, ensuring compliance and communication on your behalf.
Book your free tax representation consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
Property Inheritance
Many new citizens discover they are entitled to family property in Greece. Inheritance cases involve complex paperwork, taxes, and legal representation. GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media) manages the entire process, from securing titles to resolving disputes, so you can claim your rights without stress.
Book your free property inheritance consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
By handling both tax and inheritance through GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media), you ensure that your transition into Greek citizenship is smooth, compliant, and worry-free.
Are You Ready to Become a Citizen of Greece?
Greek citizenship by descent is about more than paperwork. It is about passing on your heritage, securing an EU passport, and building opportunities for future generations.
With GetGreece (formerly known as Greece Media), the process becomes straightforward. We do the work. You enjoy the result.
Book your Greek citizenship consultation today at GetGreece or call 1-833-MY-GREECE (1-833-694-7332).
A Message from Our Founder Tony Kariotis
As someone who has spent years helping Greeks abroad navigate this process, I know how overwhelming it can feel to sort through paperwork and requirements on your own. That’s why I started this service at GetGreece.com (you may know us as GreeceMedia, we recently rebranded).
I’ve partnered with the best attorneys and specialists in this field, and together we take care of the entire process for you, from document collection to filing correctly in Greece, so you can secure your Greek citizenship and passport with confidence. And if you’re not sure where to start or just have a few more questions, just give us a call! We'd love to help you. Phone: 1-833-694-7332
Email me: tony@greece-media.com Web: Click To Book A Consultation
Check out additional articles regarding Greek citizenship:
The Difference Between Greek Citizenship and Permanent Residency
Why Greek Citizens Living Abroad Must Have a Tax Representative in Greece
5 Common Mistakes People Make When Applying For Greek Citizenship
Why Work With GetGreece for Your Greek Citizenship Application
Understanding Greek Tax Filing Deadlines for Citizens Abroad
Why a Greek Passport is One of the Most Valuable in the World