By Panagis Dionysios Malik Evangelatos
Introduction
Although I am—and always will be—a proud and patriotic American citizen, becoming a Greek citizen has been a lifelong dream shaped by ancestry, cultural heritage, and an enduring pull toward the land that helped form my sense of self. For me, it was never simply about documents or formalities, but about moving from inheritance to belonging. When my application was finally approved, it felt like more than the conclusion of a long administrative journey—it felt like recognition, affirmation, and a quiet moment of arrival.
Doing It Yourself Is Possible
What surprised me most was how manageable the process truly was. Hiring an attorney isn’t necessary—in fact, I recommend against it. The requirements are clear, and your local Greek consulate is your greatest resource, guiding you step by step on which documents are needed. The most time-consuming part is gathering vital records—birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.—and having them translated and notarized. Once those documents are in hand, you’ve completed the hardest part of the journey. Translation is straightforward using the consulate’s approved translators, and notaries are readily available.
Once everything was submitted, the final lesson was patience. Processing takes time. After receiving your file number, the best thing you can do is relax. There are tens of thousands of applicants worldwide, and embassies and consulates are understandably understaffed and backlogged. Once you submit, don’t expect to hear back for at least a year.
Improve Your Greek
I also made an effort to improve my Greek language skills along the way. While not required, it made communication easier and deepened the emotional meaning of the journey. Too often, those of us with Greek heritage who don’t read or speak Greek fluently dismiss Greek bureaucracy as inefficient or “Byzantine” (no pun intended). In reality, the system is logical and streamlined—you simply need enough Greek to understand how it works.
What Changes When You Become a Greek Citizen
Obtaining citizenship means that you are recognized as a citizen with equal standing under Greek law. As a citizen, you gain full political rights. You can vote in Greek elections and referendums, register on overseas voter rolls if you live abroad, and even run for public office. Civic participation is no longer symbolic—it is real. Because Greece is a member of the European Union, this also makes you an EU citizen. That means the freedom to live, work, or study in any EU country without visas, along with access to EU healthcare, education, and labor markets under EU rules.
Responsibilities and Practical Realities
Citizenship also comes with obligations. Depending on age, gender, and residence abroad, military service may apply—though there are many exemptions, reductions, or alternative arrangements, especially for those living outside Greece. There may also be tax obligations if you live, earn income, or own property in Greece. And like any citizen, you’re expected to carry—or be able to produce—Greek identification when required.
Dual Citizenship and Personal Meaning
Greece allows dual or multiple citizenship, so in most cases there is no need to renounce another nationality. This legal flexibility reflects a broader truth: modern Greek identity is layered, global, and shaped by migration. For many new citizens, myself included, the emotional impact is just as significant as the legal one. There is a deeper sense of belonging and legitimacy. For those whose families experienced migration, displacement, or exclusion, citizenship offers a kind of closure. When you speak about Greek history, culture, religion, or national issues, you do so with a stronger voice—because now, it is undeniably your country.
Final Thought
Greek citizenship is not just a legal status. It is permanent, inheritable, and symbolic. It connects you to your ancestors, the Greek language, the diverse religious histories of Greece—Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish—and to the modern Greek state and its future.
The process requires organization and patience, but it is achievable. If this is something you’ve been considering, go for it. Start the process and see it through!
Panagis Dionysios Malik Evangelatos 