The EU Citizenship Path for Children in the Greece Golden Visa

The road to citizenship for children in Golden Visa families works significantly differently from the standard adult process of 7 years + the PEGP exam. Children under 18 are generally exempt from the language and integration exams and can reach Greek/EU citizenship through three different routes. In this article we explain, with current 2026 information, these three routes, the differences between them, and especially the critical timing risk to watch for as the child approaches 18.

The Key Advantage for Minors: Exam Exemption

Unlike adult family members (183 days/year, 7 uninterrupted years of residence, the PEGP exam), children under 18 are generally exempt from the language and integration exams. This exemption makes three different citizenship routes possible for children:

Route 1: Automatic Citizenship via the Parent

The main applicant's minor children can automatically gain Greek citizenship when the parent obtains Greek citizenship and the child permanently resides in Greece. This route depends on the parent completing the standard 7-year process (5 years of real residence + LTR status + a total of 7 years); the child does not need to take a separate exam or run an independent process. This stands out as the simplest and most direct route when the family acts together.

Route 2: Birth in Greece + Schooling

This route is technically separate from the Golden Visa process and rests directly on the birthplace provisions of Greek Citizenship Law. Children of foreign parents born in Greece do not automatically gain citizenship, but can obtain this right under the following conditions:

• At least one of the parents must have legally resided in Greece for at least 5 years before the child's birth; alternatively, a parent can hold an LTR (long-term residence) or permanent residence card.
• The child must enrol in a Greek primary school and continue their education in the Greek education system; generally at least a 6-year schooling period is required.
• The application must be made by the parents while the child is still a minor.

This route can offer families who settled in Greece with the Golden Visa and had a child there an earlier citizenship opportunity without waiting for the parent's 7-year process.

Route 3: Schooling Only (For Those Born Outside Greece)

There is also a separate schooling route for children born outside Greece who later moved to Greece with the Golden Visa family. On this route the child must complete at least 6 years of secondary or 9 years of primary and secondary education in the Greek school system (sources vary between 6 or 9 years depending on the school level; the exact period depends on the age and grade at which the child entered the Greek system). This route means, as we covered in our education article, that a Golden Visa child attending a Greek school builds an alternative and often faster road to citizenship over this period.

⚠️ Critical Timing Warning: What Happens If They Turn 18?

These three routes have a common risk: if the child turns 18 before the family process (the parent's 7-year process or the child's schooling period) is complete, they lose the "minor child" status. At this point the child can have to meet the standard adult process — 183 days/year physical residence, 7 uninterrupted years and the PEGP exam — on their own and independently. This carries a logic similar to the timing risk we covered in our article on 21-24 age dependency status; families should therefore carefully track which citizenship route is at which stage as the child approaches 18.

An Independent Counter for Each Adult Family Member

An important clarification: each adult member of the family — spouse, children over 18 — must meet their own independent 7-year physical residence and exam requirement for citizenship. One family member (e.g. the main applicant) becoming a citizen does not automatically cover the other adult family members; only minor children can benefit from this automatic coverage. So in a multi-person Golden Visa family, the citizenship timeline can differ from person to person.

Strategic Recommendations for Families

• Families with young children can create a faster citizenship opportunity via the schooling route by including the child in the Greek school system at an early age.
• In families where the child is approaching 18, which route (via the parent or via schooling) will be completed first should be calculated and planning done accordingly.
• Families considering giving birth in Greece should check before the birth whether the parent meets the 5-year residence requirement.
• Be aware of each adult family member's own independent 7-year counter; this means family members can reach citizenship at different times.
• As this area is complex and requires individual assessment, planning the family structure with an immigration lawyer at an early stage is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does my child have to take the PEGP exam?
Generally no; children under 18 are exempt from the language and integration exams (PEGP). This exemption allows children to reach citizenship without the exam obligation adults face, using one of three routes: automatic citizenship via the parent, birth in Greece + schooling, or schooling only. But if the child turns 18 before the family process is complete, they can lose this exemption and have to meet the standard adult process (7 years + PEGP exam) on their own.

2. Does my child automatically become a citizen if born in Greece?
No, birth in Greece does not provide automatic citizenship. But the right can be gained under certain conditions: at least one parent must have legally resided in Greece for at least 5 years before the child's birth (or hold LTR/permanent residence), and the child must be educated in the Greek school system for at least 6 years. The application must be made by the parents while the child is still a minor. This route is technically separate from the Golden Visa process and rests directly on the birthplace provisions of Greek Citizenship Law.

3. What if my child was born outside Greece but attends a Greek school?
In this case, a separate citizenship route based on schooling alone can be considered. The child must complete at least 6 years of secondary or 9 years of primary and secondary education in the Greek school system; the exact period can vary by the age and grade at which the child entered the system. This route can offer children who moved to Greece with the Golden Visa and attend a Greek school an alternative and often faster citizenship opportunity without waiting for the parent's 7-year process.

4. What happens if my child turns 18 and the family process is not yet complete?
In this case the child loses the "minor child" status and the exam exemption tied to it. From this point on, they can have to meet the standard adult process — 183 days/year physical residence, 7 uninterrupted years and the PEGP exam — on their own and independently. This is similar to the timing risk we covered in our article on 21-24 age dependency status. Families should therefore carefully track which citizenship route is at which stage as the child approaches 18, and plan in advance any steps to speed up the process (e.g. prioritising the schooling route).

5. If I become a citizen, does the rest of my family automatically become citizens too?
No, only your minor children can benefit from this automatic coverage; when you become a citizen and your child is still a minor and permanently resides in Greece, your child can automatically gain citizenship. But other adult family members, including your spouse and children over 18, must each separately meet their own independent 7-year physical residence and exam requirements for citizenship. So in a multi-person Golden Visa family, different members reaching citizenship at different times is normal.

Note: The process information in this article is based on general regulations, and the schooling periods and application conditions can change with current practice. Contact us to determine the most suitable and fastest citizenship route for your child and to manage the timing risk.