Greece: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-10
Path to citizenship
Greek citizenship comes after 7 years of legal, permanent residence and a written exam (Greek , history, geography, culture). For spouses of citizens the period drops to 3 years only if the couple has a child together. The does not grant citizenship by itself: its years count only if you actually live in Greece. There is no official processing time — it averages about 4 years because of a long-standing backlog. In 2026, after Council of State rulings, the rigid income threshold was dropped. Some sources mention a shorter period for EU citizens — we could not confirm it from official data.
- • 7 years of legal residence and the exam
- • spouses of citizens with a common child — 3 years
Citizenship application processing, years: 1.5–4.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 10.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| Athens | €1,060 | €2,450 |
| Thessaloniki | €980 | €2,300 |
| Heraklion | €994 | €2,330 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety80
- Earning potential73
- Healthcare80
- Path to citizenship46
- Schools and education58
- Environment64
- Warm, sunny climate81
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in Greece, and how long does it take?
7 years of legal residence and the exam; spouses of citizens with a common child — 3 years. Processing takes 1.5–4 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in Greece?
The main routes we cover: Greek residence permit (work, digital nomad, Golden Visa with actual residence); Spouse of a Greek citizen with a common child. The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
How much does it cost to live in Greece per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: Athens ≈ €1,060 / €2,450; Thessaloniki ≈ €980 / €2,300; Heraklion ≈ €994 / €2,330. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 10.2026.
How much is rent in Greece?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: Athens €413–€649; Thessaloniki €359–€564; Heraklion €364–€572.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 10.2026; budget as of 10.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
Sources
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.