Should I get a Greek passport?

[axariotisxy]

I'm Greek-Australian, and I've never considered getting a Greek passport until COVID made it easier to travel to Greece with proof of citizenship/passport. Do any other children of Greek immigrants have passports? Have you found it to be worth it?

 

[Worldwide Greeks Editor]

I am not sure if having a Greek passport helps with COVID travel restrictions in Greece.

I would recommend reaching out to your local (in Australia) Greek consulate and asking this type of question.

Hope this helps and good luck figuring it all out!

 

[dpappas87]

I found it pretty useful because I'm able to travel around Europe very easily. If you don't think you'll be travelling to Europe, I wouldn't really recommend it. The Australian passport is pretty useful and can get you most places without a tourist visa. If that ever changes, I would look into it then.

 

[k_tsoukalas]

Greek tourism will be open this year starting sometime in May for those who have received the COVID vaccine or to those who have taken a current COVID test. I would check the rules. I am not sure a passport would make a difference because the rules might be the same for everyone, regardless of which passport you have.

 

[TrelosYiaEllada]

I've thought about getting a Greek passport. However, after weighing the pros and cons, I decided it wasn't worth it. The main Con is that you'll need to deal w/ the Greek government and that is a nightmare. If you've never had that pleasure, try something simple while in Greece. Go to the local police station and ask about getting an extension on your Schengen visa. They will direct you to another office, which will then direct you to another office, and so on. This can go on for several days until you find someone who actually takes the time to help. Otherwise, everyone you meet will scream at you as if you've committed a crime and tell you to go back to the office you just came from. Nobody knows the answer, but they all act like they do ... and it's always coffee break time, so "please come back later!" This is a country where they pay public employees a bonus just for showing up on time. The main reason I decided not to get a Greek passport is b/c I'm not really Greek. I didn't grow up there. So, I don't know the laws. I don't want to be stopped at the airport b/c there's suddenly a new banana-republic tax I didn't know about, or they decided to restrict access to ATMs, etc.

Instead of a Greek passport, you may want to look into a Financially Independent Persons residency program visa if you were planning to live there. This page describes the requirements - https://greekresidency.com/golden-visa/fip-residency-for-financially-independent/.

 

[kosta_karapinotis]

I've thought about getting a Greek passport. However, after weighing the pros and cons, I decided it wasn't worth it. The main Con is that you'll need to deal w/ the Greek government and that is a nightmare. If you've never had that pleasure, try something simple while in Greece. Go to the local police station and ask about getting an extension on your Schengen visa. They will direct you to another office, which will then direct you to another office, and so on. This can go on for several days until you find someone who actually takes the time to help. Otherwise, everyone you meet will scream at you as if you've committed a crime and tell you to go back to the office you just came from. Nobody knows the answer, but they all act like they do ... and it's always coffee break time, so "please come back later!" This is a country where they pay public employees a bonus just for showing up on time. The main reason I decided not to get a Greek passport is b/c I'm not really Greek. I didn't grow up there. So, I don't know the laws. I don't want to be stopped at the airport b/c there's suddenly a new banana-republic tax I didn't know about, or they decided to restrict access to ATMs, etc.

Instead of a Greek passport, you may want to look into a Financially Independent Persons residency program visa if you were planning to live there. This page describes the requirements - https://greekresidency.com/golden-visa/fip-residency-for-financially-independent/.

You have a good point. It is difficult if you're not from there or aren't in the loop about the new laws and updates

 

[Souvlaki]

I've thought about getting a Greek passport. However, after weighing the pros and cons, I decided it wasn't worth it. The main Con is that you'll need to deal w/ the Greek government and that is a nightmare. If you've never had that pleasure, try something simple while in Greece. Go to the local police station and ask about getting an extension on your Schengen visa. They will direct you to another office, which will then direct you to another office, and so on. This can go on for several days until you find someone who actually takes the time to help. Otherwise, everyone you meet will scream at you as if you've committed a crime and tell you to go back to the office you just came from. Nobody knows the answer, but they all act like they do ... and it's always coffee break time, so "please come back later!" This is a country where they pay public employees a bonus just for showing up on time. The main reason I decided not to get a Greek passport is b/c I'm not really Greek. I didn't grow up there. So, I don't know the laws. I don't want to be stopped at the airport b/c there's suddenly a new banana-republic tax I didn't know about, or they decided to restrict access to ATMs, etc.

Instead of a Greek passport, you may want to look into a Financially Independent Persons residency program visa if you were planning to live there. This page describes the requirements - https://greekresidency.com/golden-visa/fip-residency-for-financially-independent/.

I know this is an old post but reading your comment got me to spill my coffee lol.