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Written exams for foreigners to obtain Greek citizenship

Written exams for the naturalization of foreign residents started on Sunday with a total of 2,465 people to have registered for the first exams to obtain the Certificate of Knowledge Adequacy for Naturalization (PEGP).

Most of the candidates are of Albanian descent, there are also candidates from Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, a few from Pakistan and India  as well as a few form the USA and Australia, kathimerini reported.

Candidates are examined on their knowledge adequacy of the Greek language through the comprehension of text and writing. They will also be asked to answer questions on the history of political institutions, geography and culture.

The question reportedly range from the name of the sea where the Aliakmonas River ends up to the names of actors in popular Greek movies from the 1950s and 60s, football clubs, music groups and their singers (some from the 1960s too) but also questions on detailed knowledge of Greek Orthodox religious customs.

Our all Greek national star Aliki Vougiouklaki (1934-1996): Not recognizing her can cost the candidates points…

Why should not Greek Orthodox candidates know that one has to prepare koliva 40 days after a person deceases? why should non-Greek Orthodox know why Greeks bake fanouropita?

The candidate passes the exams when he manages 70% of the maximum possible scores such as 66% in Greek language and 50% in the other sections.

Foreigners requesting Greek citizenship must have an annual income of 7,800 euros (equivalent to the salary of an unskilled worker) for a minimum of three years before submitting an application.

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5 comments

  1. Do they have training centers for these exams?

    Well, I’m not religious, but I can see the importance of needing to understand the rituals and customs of the dominant culture. We cannot forget the Christian cross on the Greek flag, and the power of the Greek church in the state of Greece. However, what I really want to learn about the church is the continued justification of not allowing women on Mt. Athos, as well as the lawlessness and power of the place. I’d also be interested in learning about the money trail, and how and why it is more affluent than the state of Greece (or at least appears to be).

  2. I am 58 years old. I have lived in Greece for 27 years and was married for 25 of those to my children’s father. He died suddenly at the age of 59 last summer. I cared for his mother through her cancer treatment I held her hand and when she died I closed her eyes. I cared for his father, who had Alzheimer’s after the death of my mother in law. I raised two children as Greek citizens and under the Greek orthodox faith. Now if I wish to be recognised as a Greek citizen I must know which Greek actor played a role in the film “Guns of Navarone”. It is insulting. Yes, you should know the language and have a reasonable knowledge of how the system works. Yes you should know something of the history and customs of the country but beyond that could anyone tell me how knowing the names of actresses from 70 years ago make me a better candidate for citizenship.

  3. The average Greek person probably doesn’t know all the names of actors/actresses from the 50s or 60s, at least not the younger generation. I see that they still put all those old movies on TV, but who actually watches them??

    • Pannonian Sailor

      Guys do you honestly believe that other countries do not do it like this? E.g. Switzerland, Germany?
      What makes it difficult in Greece, is the need to read/write Greek, but then again even as a tourists I something I wish I could at least read and not rely on google translating through the camera.

      • People who live here can and should learn the language. That is not the problem. Many of the other questions are things even native Greeks could not answer and / or are completely irrelevant to a person’s ability to become a useful member of Greek society. Come to think of it I couldn’t answer similar questions about my native country either.