Greek immigration and naturalization is regulated by Law No. 2910/2001 on "'entry and residence of aliens into Greek territory and naturalisation of aliens'" (ECRE Sept. 2002, 96), which was passed by the Greek parliament on 28 March 2001 (Athens News 6 Apr. 2001) and later amended on 24 April 2002 (ibid. 26 Apr. 2002). According to an explanation published by the Embassy of Greece in London, the application procedure differs depending on whether the applicant can prove their Greek ethnic origin (14 Nov. 2002). The Greek law on nationality, as defined by the Code of Greek Nationality, mixes the principles of jus sanguinis and jus soli (EBN Oct. 2002) and is discussed in GRC42067.E of 10 November 2003.

All aliens residing in Greece, over the age of 18 and without a criminal record or a deportation order (Athens News 8 Feb. 2002) can apply for naturalization by making a declaration "before the mayor or the president of the village council where he/she is domiciled or resides, to the effect that he/she wishes to be naturalized" (Embassy of Greece, London 14 Nov. 2002). The local prefecture then submits a completed application and supporting documentation to the regional general secretary who must approve it before the application is forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior for determination (Athens News 8 Feb. 2002). The Ministry makes the decision to naturalize "after an investigation [of] the character and the personality of the alien" (Embassy of Greece, London 14 Nov. 2002), which may include a personal interview to assess his or her proficiency in the Greek language (Athens News 8 Feb. 2002). Failure to attend a requested meeting results in automatic rejection of the application (ibid.).

In addition to a fee of 500,000 drachmas (1,500 euros [CAN$2,309 (Canada 23 Oct. 2003)]) (Athens News 11 Apr. 2003; ibid. 8 Feb. 2002; MNS May 2003, 25), applicants are required to provide the following officially translated documents:

- Declaration of naturalization signed by two Greek citizens who hold valid Greek passports (Athens News 8 Feb. 2002; Embassy of Greece, London 14 Nov. 2002)

- Written application for naturalisation to the Ministry of Interior, Department of Citizenship (ibid.)

- Birth certificate of the interested person, children and parents, also certificate of marriage of the interested person and parents (ibid.).

- Notarized photocopy of the applicant's passport, valid travel documents or identity card (Embassy of Greece, London 14 Nov. 2002; Athens News 8 Feb. 2002).

- Photocopy of valid residence permit (ibid.)

- Most recent income tax return (ibid.)

- Fingerprints taken at their local police station (ibid.).

Authorities also request an attested copy of the individual's criminal record from the authorities of the place of residence (Embassy of Greece, London 14 Nov. 2002) once the initial application is approved (Athens News 8 Feb. 2002).

Applicants without, or without evidence of, Greek ethnic origin have the additional requirement of residing in Greece for ten of the twelve years preceding their naturalization declaration or for five years subsequent to the application (Embassy of Greece, London 14 Nov. 2002). The European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) interpreted the law as meaning that the ten-year standard was applied to immigrants, while the five-year requirement was for refugees (Sept. 2002, 97). Non-nationals who are born and raised in Greece and those with Greek spouses are exempt from the residency requirement (Athens News 4 Oct. 2002). Furthermore, according to the Athens News, applicants are required to be fluent in Greek (8 Feb. 2002).

Ethnic Greek applicants living abroad may also declare their application for naturalization to a Greek Consular official who then submits an application and an affirmation to the Ministry of the Interior (Embassy of Greece, London 14 Nov. 2002; EBN Oct. 2002). Applicants must provide translated (if necessary) photocopies of their passport or another valid travel document and birth certificate as well as a Type A criminal record certificate issued in their country of residence (Athens News 8 Feb. 2002). Aliens claiming Greek ethnicity must prove their, or their ancestor's Greek origin by providing officially translated and notarized documentary evidence (Embassy of Greece, London 14 Nov. 2002). Documentation required to prove ethnic Greek origin is a subject of GRC42067.E of 10 November 2003. In October 2002, the manager of the Interior Ministry's immigration office told Athens News that the application fee for immigrants of ethnic Greek origin had been waived (4 Oct. 2002).

According to a 2002 Athens News report, the process can take several years and relatively few applicants are approved (8 Feb. 2002). Under Greek immigration laws, the Ministry of Interior does not provide a justification for any negative decision on naturalization (Embassy of Greece, London 14 Nov. 2002; EBN Oct. 2002) and the application fee is not refunded (Athens News 11 Apr. 2003). After one year, an applicant may submit a second application (Athens News 8 Feb. 2002), at the cost of approximately 733 euros (CAN$1,128 [Canada 23 Oct. 2003]) (Athens News 11 Apr. 2003; MNS May 2003, 25; ).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Athens News. 11 Apr. 2003. Kathy Tzilivakis. "Migration Rules Revised." http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.print_unique?e=C&f=13009&m=A36&aa=1&eidos=S [Accessed 23 Oct. 2003]

____. 4 October 2002. Kathy Tzilivakis. "Citizenship Drifting On the High Fees." http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.print_unique?e=C&f=12982&m=A12&aa=1&eidos=S [Accessed 23 Oct. 2003]

_____. 26 April 2002. Kathy Tzilivakis. "Life After Amendments to Immigration Law 2910." http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.print_unique?e=C&f=12959&m=A12&aa=1&eidos=S [Accessed 23 Oct. 2003]

_____. 8 February 2002. Kathy Tzilivakis. "The Rules of Greek Citizenship." http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.print_unique?e=C&f=12948&m=A13&aa=1&eidos=S [Accessed 23 Oct. 2003]

_____. 6 April 2001. Kathy Tzilivakis. "Weighing Up Greece's New Immigration Law." http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.print_unique?e=C&f=12904&m=A12&aa=1&eidos=S [Accessed 23 Oct. 2003]

Canada. 23 October 2003. Bank of Canada. "Currency Converter." http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/exchform.htm [Accessed 23 Oct. 2003]

Embassy of Greece, London. 14 November 2002. "Acquisition of Greek Nationality by Naturalization." http://www.greekembassy.org.uk/pages_en/citizenships.html [Accessed 22 Oct. 2003]

European Bulletin on Nationality (EBN). October 2002. "Greece." (Council of Europe) http://www.coe.int/T/E/Legal_Affairs/Legal_co-operation/Foreigners_and_citizens/Nationality/Documents/Bulletin_and_national_legislation/1European%20Bulletin%20Nationality.asp#P2298_147920 [Accessed 29 Oct. 2003]

European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE). September 2002. "ECRE Country Report 2001: Greece." http://www.ecre.org/country01/greece.pdf [Accessed 23 Oct. 2003]

Migration News Service (MNS) [Brussels]. "Greece: Immigrants are Required to pay Very High Fees for Residence Permits and Naturalisation Because Funds are Needed for Integration Programme."

Additional Sources Consulted

Unsuccessful attempt to obtain information from the Embassy of Greece in Ottawa.

Internet sites, including:

Davis Law Library

Embassy of Greece, Ottawa

Greece. Citizen's Information Office

Greece. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Greece. Ministry of the Interior (Greek only)

Greek Helsinki

Immigrated Women Health Access

Legislation Online