Greece Eases Citizenship Reclaim Process for Greek-Born Adoptees Abroad

In a recent statement, Nasos Balerbas, Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, reaffirmed that Greek-born adoptees have the right to reclaim Greek citizenship—a right not rooted in naturalisation, but in citizenship by birth.

“My first contact with these individuals was in my previous role as Secretary General of Citizenship,” Balerbas shared. “At the end of 2023, they approached me and said they wanted to become Greek citizens again. But these people were already born Greek citizens. It was not a matter of naturalisation.”

Legal Foundation for Reclaiming Citizenship

Balerbas clarified that anyone born to a Greek citizen, even if adopted and previously renounced their Greek citizenship via their parents, retains the right to reclaim it at any time.

The essential legal prerequisite is the existence of a registry act, which is issued for any birth in Greece. “Even if a child was found abandoned, a registry act was still created,” he noted, recalling cases where children were left on church steps or at public institutions.

In particular, male adoptees must be registered in the Male Registry, a long-standing requirement tied to citizenship and legal identification.

Streamlined Process and Recognition of Additional Documents

The Greek government has now simplified the process for Greek-born adoptees, particularly those adopted abroad, to regain citizenship. According to Balerbas, while previously only formal documentation such as birth or adoption certificates were considered valid, the new policy recognises a broader array of documents as acceptable proof of identity and origin.

These now include:

• School records
• Baptismal certificates
• Documentation from orphanages

This policy shift aims to support the estimated 3,000 to 5,000 Greek-born adoptees, primarily residing in the United States, with smaller groups found in European countries, especially the Netherlands.

Reconnecting with Greek Identity

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Greek government to help those separated by adoption reconnect with their Greek roots and secure official recognition of their birthright citizenship.