The Supreme Court of Greece has made a decision (which also benefits Albanians without Greek citizenship) that foreigners applying for Greek citizenship are not required to prove a minimum level of annual income to gain citizenship.
In the decision published on May 27, 2026, the court emphasizes that the applicant’s income is only one of the elements that the administration takes into account to assess his economic and social integration in Greece, but does not constitute a mandatory or decisive condition.
Therefore, the lack of a high salary or a certain level of income (basic salary plus 10% for each family member) cannot automatically lead to the denial of citizenship.
According to the court, the authorities must assess the applicant’s situation as a whole, taking into account factors such as stable employment, economic activity, payment of taxes and social security contributions, as well as the links established with the economic and social life of the country.
The Court argues that Greek legislation does not provide for a minimum income threshold as a condition for obtaining citizenship. For this reason, an application cannot be automatically rejected solely because the applicant does not reach a certain income level, if there is other evidence showing his integration into Greek society.
The decision is expected to have an impact on the examination of applications for Greek citizenship, as it limits the administration’s ability to use income level as an exclusionary criterion for obtaining Greek citizenship.
Albanian Elton Bani was electrocuted to death with an electric gun/ Carabinieri also accused of forgery
For years, many immigrants faced the administrative practice of requiring them to prove a significant annual income to pass the “economic integration” filter.
Immigration experts in Greece consider this an important victory for immigrant rights and a return to the real spirit of social integration, beyond “dry” economic criteria.
For thousands of Albanians who have lived and worked in Greece for decades, this decision is considered an important step towards fairer treatment in the citizenship process.