The Language and Integration Exam for Citizenship in the Greece Golden Visa

The PEGP (Certificate of Adequate Knowledge for Citizenship) is the central exam everyone wanting to obtain Greek citizenship through the Golden Visa must pass. But there is an important point most sources miss: people who meet certain conditions can be fully exempt from this exam. In this article we explain, with current 2026 information, the exam's structure, who is exempt, the application process, and realistic pass rates.

🎯 The Most Important Finding: Who Is Exempt from the Exam?

Although the PEGP exam is a mandatory step, important exemptions and conveniences are granted for people with certain educational backgrounds or personal circumstances:

These exemptions are an especially important detail for families who settle in Greece through the Golden Visa and send their children to a Greek school. For example, if a child graduates from a Greek high school (Lykeio), they are fully exempt from the PEGP exam in their own citizenship application; just presenting their diploma to the relevant Citizenship Directorate is enough.

Exam Structure

The PEGP exam consists of two main sections measuring B1-level Greek language proficiency and knowledge of Greek history, geography, culture and political institutions. In the standard format, the exam covers a written test of about 20 multiple-choice and short-answer questions plus a language section measuring listening and writing skills. The naturalisation interview that used to follow the exam was abolished by Law 4735/2020 and replaced by the written PEGP exam, held since 2021.

⚠️ Note: A Possible Update to the Exam Format

Some 2026 sources note that the exam format may have a different structure: an alternative format of 10 oral questions selected from three topics and a composition, with a pass mark of 80%. This suggests the exam may have evolved from the classic written multiple-choice format toward a more oral/composition-heavy structure. As there is no clarity among sources on this, candidates about to take the exam are strongly advised to confirm the current and exact format from official sources or a lawyer close to their exam period.

Realistic Pass Rates

The PEGP exam stands out as harder than it looks; the general-knowledge section in particular is challenging for many candidates:

These rates show that preparation for the exam must be taken seriously; the fact that the general-knowledge section (history, geography, political institutions) has a lower pass rate than the language section in particular indicates candidates need to devote more time to this area.

Application Process

Application for the PEGP exam is made through the Ministry of Interior's official platform (exetaseis-ithageneia.ypes.gr), using TAXISnet credentials. The exam is usually held twice a year; the application periods are announced in advance on the platform. The accuracy of the information given during the application is important; if incorrect or incomplete information is given and not corrected, the application can be cancelled.

Preparation Resources

• The Ministry of Interior publishes a free official e-booklet for candidates; this resource contains summary information on Greek history, culture, geography and citizenship knowledge.
• The Ministry's official website also has a question bank of past exam questions and answers; but as these resources are entirely in Greek, a certain language level must be reached to use them.
• Institutions like the Hellenic Culture Centre and Iphigenia offer preparation courses specific to the PEGP exam; to join these courses, at least B1-level Greek is usually required.
• Some private language course providers offer packages combining both language teaching and exam preparation; this can provide a more comprehensive preparation process for candidates below B1 level.

What Happens If You Fail the Exam?

Candidates who fail the exam are subject to a minimum waiting period before they can retake it; the length of this period can vary depending on various factors (like application volume, region). Going into the exam prepared the first time therefore provides an important advantage in terms of both time and process; it is recommended to prepare early and comprehensively so that the total citizenship process — already long (reaching 9-11 years) after the 7-year residence period — is not further extended.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is exempt from the PEGP exam?
Those with a Greek-language bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from a Greek university (AEI) are fully exempt from the exam. In addition, graduates of a Greek middle school (Gymnasio) or high school (Lykeio) can be exempt just by presenting their diploma to the relevant Citizenship Directorate. The same exemption applies to those who completed 9 years of primary/secondary education or 6 years of Gymnasio and Lykeio in Greece. These exemptions mean that especially families who settle in Greece with the Golden Visa and enrol their children in the Greek education system will gain a major advantage in their children's own future citizenship applications.

2. If I am over 67, how does the exam work differently for me?
Candidates over 67 can take the exam orally instead of in writing; this provides an important convenience for older applicants. Similarly, people with a permanent or temporary disability that makes writing difficult can also benefit from the right to an oral exam. A reduced topic scope can also be applied for people with disabilities. These conveniences are an important detail for families considering including older family members (e.g. parents added to the Golden Visa) in the citizenship process.

3. How hard is the exam really, and what is the pass rate?
The exam stands out as harder than it looks. In the general-knowledge section (history, geography, culture, political institutions) about half of candidates pass, while in the language section this rises to about two-thirds. This shows the general-knowledge section in particular is more challenging and candidates need to devote more preparation time to it. When preparing for the exam, just practising the language is not enough; a comprehensive study of Greek history, geography and the political system is also required.

4. Has the exam format really changed?
There is no clarity among sources on this. The classic and widely known format is a written test of about 20 multiple-choice/short-answer questions; the separate oral interview that used to follow it was abolished by Law 4735/2020 and replaced by the written PEGP exam (held since 2021). However, some 2026 sources mention an alternative format of 10 oral questions selected from three topics and a composition, with a pass mark of 80%. This suggests the exam may have evolved toward a more oral/composition-heavy structure. Confirming the exact and current format from official sources or a lawyer before taking the exam is strongly advised.

5. Where can I prepare for the exam for free?
The Ministry of Interior publishes a free official e-booklet for candidates; this resource contains summary information on Greek history, culture, geography and citizenship knowledge and can be downloaded from the Ministry's website. There is also a question bank of past exam questions and answers in official sources; but as these resources are entirely in Greek, a certain language level must be reached to use them. For those wanting more structured preparation, paid preparation courses offered by institutions like the Hellenic Culture Centre can also be considered as an option.

Note: The exam information in this article is based on general observations, and the official format, fees and exemption conditions can be updated. Contact us to confirm your exam exemption, plan your preparation process and manage your citizenship journey.