Greece
The 2019 National Integration Strategy identified the promotion of integration of female immigrants in the education system, labour market integration and access to public services, among others, as important components of the integration of female immigrants and beneficiaries of international protection.
Regarding residence permits, the Law 4251/2014 “Immigration and Social Integration Code and other provisions” introduced changes in the fields of residence permits, family reunification and access to the labour market. There are seven (7) major categories of residence permits: 1. Residence permit for work and professional reasons, 2. Residence permit for humanitarian, exceptional and others, 3. Residence permit for studies, volunteer work, research and vocational training, 4. Residence permit for victims of human trafficking, 5. Residence permit for family reunification, 6. Long-term residence permit, 7. Special certificate of legal residence. Individuals recognized as refugees are granted a 3-year residence permit (ADET), which can be renewed after a decision of the Head of the Regional Asylum Office (RAO). Following the entry into force of the Law 4636/2019 “on international protection and other provisions”, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection no longer have the right to receive a 3-year permit. They obtain a 1-year residence permit, renewable for a period of 2 years. Residence permits are usually delivered at least 4-5 months after the communication of the positive decision granting international protection. Until the issuance of the residence permits, applicants hold the asylum seeker card, stamped with the mention “Pending Residence Permit”.
Regarding access to citizenship according to the Citizenship Code (L. 3284/2004, article 5(1) Citizenship Code as amended with L. 4674/2020), citizenship may be granted to a foreigner who: i) Has reached the age of adulthood by the time of the submission of the declaration of naturalisation; ii) Has not been irrevocably convicted of a number of crimes committed intentionally in the last 10 years, with a sentence of at least one year or at least 6 months regardless of the time of the issuance of the conviction decision. Conviction for illegal entry in the country does not obstruct the naturalisation procedure.iIii) Has no pending deportation procedure or any other issues with regards to his or her status of residence; iv) Has lawfully resided in Greece for 7 continuous years before the submission of the application; v) Hold one of the categories of residence permits foreseen in the Citizenship Code, inter alia long-term residence permit, residence permit granted to recognised refugees or subsidiary protection beneficiaries, or second-generation residence permit. More categories of permits were added in 2018. Applicants should also have: i) sufficient knowledge of the Greek language; ii) be normally integrated in the economic and social life of the country; and iii) be able to actively participate in political life (i.e. be familiar with the political institutions of the Hellenic Republic, knowledge of Greek political history).
References
Asylum Information Database (AIDA) (2021).Residence permit- Greece. Brussels: European Council on Refugees and Exiles.
https://asylumineurope.org/reports/country/greece/content-international-protection/status-and-residence/residence-permit/
This link provides information on residence permit for individuals who have been recognized with a form of protection in Greece.
Asylum Information Database (AIDA) (2021). Naturalisation- Greece. Brussels: European Council on Refugees and Exiles.
https://asylumineurope.org/reports/country/greece/content-international-protection/status-and-residence/naturalisation/
This link provides information on the conditions for citizenship in Greece.
Fouskas, T., Anderson, B., Koulierakis, G., Economou, C., Spyridakis, M., Souliotis, K., Mine, F., de Maio, A., Kazanas, K. and Gikopoulou, P. (2020). Pathways to citizenship for third-country nationals in the EU Member States. Athens: European Public Law Organization (EPLO)/Hellenic Ministry for Migration Policy/European Commission/European Migration Network.
https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/system/files/2020-03/greece_pathways_to_citizenship_en.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/document/download/22ae842d-9be0-4755-b0d7-647e05415df9_en
This study includes a review of the conditions and requirements for naturalisation and the administrative processes used to determine whether a person is eligible.
Greek Council for Refugees (2020). Asylum Information Database (AIDA) (2019). Country Report: Greece. Brussels: European Council on Refugees and Exiles.
https://asylumineurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/report-download_aida_gr_2019update.pdf
This report draws on information provided by national bodies related to asylum procedures.
Ministry of Interior/General Secretariat for Citizenship (2021). Simplified instructions on the acquisition of Greek citizenship – How can I become a Greek citizen? Athens: The Greek Ombudsman/Citizenship Directorate of the Ministry of Interior.
https://www.ypes.gr/UserFiles/f0ff9297-f516-40ff-a70e-eca84e2ec9b9/HowCanIBecomeAGreekCitizen.pdf
This link provides information on how can an individual become a Greek citizen.
Ministry of Migration and Asylum (2019). National Integration Strategy. Athens: National Integration Strategy.
https://migration.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Β6.-Εθνικ?-Στρατηγικ?-2019.pdf
This link provides access to the 2019 National Integration Strategy of Greece.
Ministry of Migration and Asylum (2021). Residence Permit categories for Third Country Citizens & Documents to be submitted. Athens: National Integration Strategy.
https://migration.gov.gr/en/migration-policy/metanasteusi-stin-ellada/katigories-adeion-diamonis-politon-triton-choron-dikaiologitika%e2%80%8b/
This link provides information on Residence Permit categories for Third Country Citizens and Documents to be submitted in Greece.