Greece: Information on the Special Identity Card for Aliens of Hellenic Descent, including who it is issued to and what rights it confers; rights conferred by a residence card, and whether it entitles the holder to vote or requires him or her to perform military service; whether the residence card is renewable, and if yes, under what conditions
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 25 November 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GRC40657.E |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Greece: Information on the Special Identity Card for Aliens of Hellenic Descent, including who it is issued to and what rights it confers; rights conferred by a residence card, and whether it entitles the holder to vote or requires him or her to perform military service; whether the residence card is renewable, and if yes, under what conditions, 25 November 2002, GRC40657.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d9d26.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The information that follows was provided by the consular section of the Embassy of Greece in Ottawa in a 22 November 2002 correspondence received by the Research Directorate.
1. The "Special Identity Card for Aliens of Hellenic Descent" entitles the holder to a "faster-track" examination of his/her application in order to obtain Greek citizenship. The Greek Citizenship Law provides for a more advantageous treatment of applications lodged by foreigners of Greek descent (i.e. members of the Greek minority in Albania, members of the Greek communities in Southern Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia). The practical benefits of this Special identity Card for its holders are:
a. The Card indicates that they have applied for Greek Citizenship and that their Greek origin is already confirmed (thus giving them more chances – though not certainty – to obtain the Greek citizenship).
b. The Card gives them, as well as their children, priority access in public education and health.
c. It is a prerequisite if they wish to enrol as volunteers in the Greek Armed Forces.
2. In all, there are four different kinds of documents under what we commonly call "resident cards." They are issued by local Prefectures, in most cases after a lot of paperwork. The relevant legal provisions can be found in Law 2910/2001, articles 8, 10-13, and 19-37 (English translation not available). Broadly speaking, there are specific "resident cards" for
a. foreign (non-EU citizen) students (articles 10-13). Registration in a Greek public university or a scholarship by the Greek State is required.
b. "resident card" of foreign (non-EU citizen) workers. Holders of such a card should first obtain a specific visa by a Greek Consular Authority abroad, upon invitation by their future employer and after a special permit by the Greek Ministry of Labour.
c. specific "resident cards" are issued to foreign (non-EU citizen) entrepreneurs, athletes (i.e. foreign professional soccer players) and artists.
d. specific "resident cards" are issued to the members of families of long-term (more than two-year) residents on Greek territory (under cases "b" and "c" as mentioned above), in order to allow family reunion.
None of the above-mentioned cards give the holder voting rights or the duty to do military or alternative service. With the exception of entrepreneurs, athletes and artists, resident cards allow their holders automatic access to the public health system. With the exception of case "a", a "resident card" also allows access to the public education system (for their children).
As far as obligations are concerned, holders of "resident cards" who are employed or self-employed must pay taxes and social security contributions (their employers have to pay as well).
3. "Resident cards" are renewable. For students, they are renewed each year, upon certification by their universities (if they fail in their studies or if they are expelled for any reason, they also lose their "resident card"). For cases "2b" and "2d," renewal is required each year, and the "rule of thumb" is that renewal is possible as long as they remain employed and commit no major offence. For cases "2c," renewal is required every two years for entrepreneurs; for athletes and artists, renewal is possible upon expiration of their valid "resident cards," the "rule of thumb" being again employment and no criminal record.
...Greek "resident cards" as well as Special Identity Card for Aliens of Hellenic Descent can be easily forged or falsified, since they are not yet equipped with a magnetic stripe (22 Nov. 2002).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Greece. Embassy of Greece, Ottawa. 22 November 2002. Correspondence received by Research Directorate.
