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With the talk of Brexit, there have been many queries over the last couple of days from residents living on the Island, as to how they can go about becoming Greek Citizenship. The process is a long one, if you decide to go ahead with the applications, and before you even decide you must know that you should be living here legally for a minimum of five years or in other cases seven.
Once your application has been accepted you then must have an interview, a book will be provided for you to study before your interview date and then once your interview date has been decided on a trip to Athens you will have to arrange. It is here you will be asked general questions regarding history, geography and general knowledge of the country you have chosen to live in. You will also have to, not only speak the language but write and read as well, to the satisfaction of the seven professors sitting across from you examining whether you would be a good candidate for Greek citizenship. Once you have passed your file will take time to process but once it has it does not take long before you are given your Greek Identity card as proof that you are now Greek.
There is also a programme that has been in action since 2013, for those who invest in Greece. The programme is called “The Golden Visa Programme” and I have given details of how the programme works and what is required below. So, if you would like to proceed in getting your Greek Citizenship please find the necessary information below:-
For citizens of non EU countries
Who Can not apply:-
Those that don’t have a residence permit or only possess temporary permits • Those that have been convicted into sentences of more than 6 months, for certain types of crimes, or for more than 1 year, for crimes that have been committed intentionally.
WHEN CAN I MAKE THE APPLICATION?
- After 7 years of permanent and legal residence in Greece • After 3 years of permanent and legal residence in Greece provided that you are married with a Greek citizen and have a child with him/her. • After 3 years of legal and permanent residence if you have an underage child that holds the Greek citizenship (not applied to those who acquired the citizenship because they attended a Greek school) • After 3 years of legal and permanent residence in Greece, if you are a refugee or have been recognized as a stateless person by the Greek authorities.
WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED?
- A “declaration of Naturalisation” at the municipality of my residence. • An application of Naturalisation • A residence permit of the following types as: a) Long-term residence permit or second generation one, b) for spouses of Greek or EU citizens, or a parent of an underage Greek citizen, c) a political refugee, or with subsidiary protection, d) as a stateless person • Passport • If you have been born abroad, a birth certificate, authenticated and translated into Greek/ If you have been born in Greece, a Greek birth certificate. • Personal tax audits for recent years. • Social security number (Α.Μ.Κ.Α.) • Other document proving your relations to Greece and Greeks.
WHERE DO I APPLY?
At the Directorate of Civic Status of the Decentralised Administration of the area where you reside, here in Zakynthos you would be able to go to the local council offices located at the “XENIA,” it’s the long grey building behind Solomos Square, along the waterfront, or you may wish to call them on telephone 26950 42913 press for line 3, or fax:- 26950 48304. They also have an e-mail address takzak@syzefxis.gov.gr.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
- 700 euros for the first – time application • 200 euros for the second application and for all those that may follow • 100 euros for the first application and for all those that may follow, if you are a refugee or a stateless person
HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT FOR A DECISION, ACCORDING TO THE LAW?
1 year (in practice 2-4 years).
For citizens of E.U countries.
WHO CANNOT APPLY?
- Those that don’t hold a registration certificate or a permanent residence certificate of a EU citizen • Those that have been convicted into sentences of more than 6 months, for certain types of crimes, or for more than 1 year for intentionally committed crimes.
WHEN CAN I MAKE THE APPLICATION?
After 3 years of permanent and legal residence in Greece.
WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED?
- A “Declaration of Naturalisation” at the municipality of my residence. • An application of Naturalisation • Registration certificate or a permanent residence certificate of EU citizens, provided by the immigration departments of the Greek Police • Passport • If you have been born abroad, a birth certificate, authenticated and translated into Greek/ If you have been born in Greece, a Greek birth certificate • Personal tax audits for recent years. • Social security number (Α.Μ.Κ.Α.) • Other documents proving your relations to Greece and Greeks.
WHERE DO I APPLY?
The same place as mentioned above. (local council “XENIA” building).
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
100 euros for the first time application and all that will follow.
HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT FOR A DECISION, ACCORDING TO THE LAW?
1 year (in practice 2-4 years).
*The present codification of the citizenship processes has been made by the Greek Ombudsman, with the cooperation of the Citizenship Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. 
It is a summary of the pertinent legislation and for this reason it does not include all the special cases, exceptions and transitional regulations that exist. For more information you should contact the local Directorates for Civil Registry of the Decentralized Administration
An application form for citizenship can be downloaded on the below link.
You can hand in your application form at the local council’s office.
http://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/new131115-AitPolitog.pdf
The Golden Visa Programme of Greece, offers an affordable real estate investment route to permanent residency in Europe. Following the launch of several European investment visa programmes it was introduced by the Greek government in 2013 to encourage investment into Greece.
Investment
An investment of €250,000 is required in real estate in Greece making the Greek programme the lowest investment level of any real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. The property, which can be located anywhere on the Greek mainland or the islands, can be either residential or commercial. Any number of properties can combine to make up the €250,000 minimum investment. Joint buyers can combine investments into one property.
Process
The application process takes approximately 40 days from the time of investment until the Residency Permit is issued. The applicant needs to have made the property investment in Greece prior to applying for the visa. Once a property has been selected through ourselves at La Vida, the lawyers who we recommend can take care of the application process, conveyance and legal work for the property.
A typical application involves initial discussion with ourselves followed by a 3 or 4 day visit to Greece to view properties, meet with lawyers and open a bank account. The application after this point can be processed within Greece by the clients’ lawyers under Power of Attorney. Provided everything is done correctly at this stage the client will not need to visit again to collect the residence permits.
Requirements
In addition to the real estate investment applicants will need a clear criminal record and medical insurance to cover any stay in Greece. There is no minimum stay requirement and the residency visa can be renewed after five years providing the investment is maintained.
Fees
Government, notary and lawyer fees for the property purchase and visa application will amount to around €15,000. In addition there is VAT of 24% to pay in Greece on new property purchases.
Family
Qualifying family members include spouse and all children under 18. Children 18 and over can qualify if studying and dependent. The Greek residency program was recently extended to the parents of both investor and spouse.
Taxes
Non-residents in Greece will pay tax on their income derived in Greece but not on income from outside of the country. Income tax starts at a rate of 22%. Rental income from property in Greece is taxed at rates, from 11% to 33%. Certain expenses are deductible from the gross income. Capital gains tax (CGT) is charged at 15% on property sales.
Living and Working
The residence permit allows the applicant to live in Greece but not to work. However the applicant can set up business in Greece.
Travel
Gaining visitor visas to travel to Europe and the Schengen zone has become problematic from many countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Once granted the Greek residence permit allows freedom of travel throughout the EU Schengen zone.
Citizenship and Passport
Applicants who live in Greece can apply for citizenship and a passport after seven years. Once applicants have citizenship then they are free to dispose of their investment as further visa renewals are not necessary. Because of the need to reside in the country the Greek Golden Visa program is considered a residency investment program rather than citizenship by investment. However the option for citizenship is there for those committed to living in Greece.
Benefits
Applicants gain the right to live in Greece although there is no requirement to do this. With the residency card all family members will have freedom to travel to and throughout the EU Schengen visa zone with ease and without further visa applications. If the resident sells the property to another non-EU citizen, the Greek residency becomes transferable to the new investor.
Source:- https://www.goldenvisas.com/greece
