Clients Abroad
We act for Greeks living abroad and for third-country nationals in their dealings with the Greek administration and the Greek courts, without your needing to travel.
Most matters for clients abroad can be completed entirely under a power of attorney, which you sign at your nearest Greek consulate. That covers an inheritance in Greece, a property that has to be transferred, an application for citizenship, or a marriage or birth abroad that has to be recorded at the Special Registry in Athens. From that point everything is done here by us, from gathering documents and attending public offices to deeds and court hearings.
We keep to a settled, scheduled pattern of contact by email and video call, so that you know how your matter is progressing wherever you are, and at the end we hand you a complete file of the documents.
Matters we typically handle
Acquiring Greek citizenship
From gathering the certificates and establishing Greek descent through to filing the application and following it, whether in Greece or through a consulate.
Residence permits
Initial grants and renewals for study, work, family reunification and other categories, with the file prepared properly so that a refusal on formal grounds is avoided.
Entries at the Special Registry
A marriage, birth or death that took place abroad has to be recorded at the Special Registry in Athens before it has legal effect in Greece. We handle that in full.
Recognition of foreign judgments
We have judgments of foreign courts recognised and declared enforceable in Greece, including divorces, adoptions and grants of probate, so that Greek authorities and registries will act on them.
Property matters for Greeks abroad
Under a power of attorney signed at the consulate we deal with property, inheritances, banking and tax matters, and keep you informed at each step.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to travel to Greece?
In most matters, no. Under a power of attorney signed at a Greek consulate we act for you before public offices, banks, notaries and the courts.
How is Greek descent proved for citizenship?
Through the civil status records of your Greek ancestors, that is their birth, marriage and death entries, together with certificates from the municipal roll. Where these are missing we trace them at municipalities, in the old male registers kept for conscription, and in the archives.
I have inherited property in Greece. What do I need to do?
Check the will and who the heirs are, accept the inheritance, file the inheritance tax return and register the transfer. All of it can be done under a power of attorney. Note that if you live abroad the deadline for renouncing an estate is one year rather than four months.
The answers above are general information and do not constitute legal advice on any specific matter.