One thing to keep in mind when you start to research the marriage laws in Greece is that the rules and regulations will vary slightly based on the region or island you are planning your wedding in. It’s important that you therefore obtain local advise, but to generally answer the question of can you legally marry in Greece, you’ll find that non-residents are able to get married in Greece. If one member of the couple is a resident of Greece, they will need to have a Residence Permit that’s valid in order to have a wedding ceremony here. Religious and civil marriages are legally recognized here, with a minimum age of 18 years old for both men and women getting married unless granted a court order for younger couples.

As you start to plan your wedding knowing that tourists can get married in Greece, you will likely start to think about your guest list. For civil weddings, you’ll need two witnesses to attend the ceremony. In case an interpreter is required, our wedding organizer will expertly arrange for one. Similarly, should the soon-to-be-weds find themselves without witnesses, we will provide the ideal companionship for their special moments.

The witnesses will need to bring either Greek identity documents or passports to the ceremony, as copies of these will be taken.

When you are looking at the question of how to get a marriage license in Greece, it’s critical that you have all of your documentation in order to be able to legally marry. It’s essential to know that legal requirements can differ across various locations in Greece, as the country has over 400 registry houses and town halls. That said, be aware that the package of necessary documents can change, depending on the chosen wedding destination.

A key point to remember is to make sure that all documents are dated no more than 3 months before your wedding day. The documentation you’ll need will also vary based on the type of wedding you are hoping to hold, so let’s take a look at the most common weddings in Greece and the documents you’ll need to prepare ahead of your big day. 

Keep in mind that official legalization with the Hague Convention Apostille is required for any foreign legal documents intended for use in Greece when registering a marriage. The Apostille stamp certifies the document’s authenticity and legality. In case your country is a signatory to the 1961 Hague Convention, you can obtain Apostille stamps for your documents; otherwise, you can verify your legal documents at either the Foreign Ministry or the Greek Embassy.

As you can see, there are a lot of paperwork requirements which go alongside the cost of a marriage license in Greece. These are a few other things to keep in mind based on the type of ceremony you might be planning.

The standard civil wedding ceremony package is priced at approximately 800 EUR. For those seeking more expedited options, an urgent civil wedding package is available at a cost of 1050 EUR. Keep in mind that the specific island you choose for your ceremony will influence the overall pricing. Additionally, on-site official registration will entail an extra charge, ranging from 400 to 800 EUR, depending on the town hall providing the service.

A civil marriage in Greece is open to couples from around the world. If you are marrying a citizen or resident from Greece, they will need to have a valid residence permit. The city or island that you are planning your wedding in may have its own requirements. A minimum age of 18 is enforced throughout the country, unless special permission is granted by the court.

The requirements for a religious marriage in Greece will vary a lot depending on your religion. As we shared above, there are various paperwork requirements which may restrict you from booking a religious wedding. You’ll typically need to show proof that you attend the same type of church back home and regularly practice the religion in order to go through with this type of ceremony.

Muslim weddings are held in Thrace in Northern Greece but are only legally recognized if both partners are Muslims. You may find that it’s recommended in some situations to have a civil wedding as well, but a wedding planner can advise you about the best option.

Weddings in Greece are registered at the Registry office of the municipality where the ceremony took place. It is crucial to complete this procedure within 40 days of the wedding date. If the registration of the wedding ceremony is not completed within this timeframe, it will become invalid and legally unrecognized.

The waiting period typically extends from the time of applying for your marriage and the day of your wedding. This wait will vary based on the municipality you are getting married in, ranging from a week to multiple months. Most civil marriage licenses are available within seven days. 

An unusual requirement in Greece when compared to other countries is that you need to state your intent to marry, which should be done at the local community office, town hall or in your local newspaper. This needs to be done at least eight days before your wedding.

Our wedding planner takes care of all the necessary paperwork for applying. Upon receiving the required documents from the couple, the planner meticulously ensures that each document is accurately provided. If needed, the documents are professionally translated to guarantee everything aligns seamlessly before the application process. With all the necessary documentation in order, the organizer and the couple proceed together to apply to the municipality or town hall, making the entire process smooth and stress-free.

Once the marriage license is ready, it will remain valid for six months. You then need to submit a joint application stating where and when you plan to get married.

As you can see by now, the answer to the question of can two foreigners get married in Greece is yes, but you need to ensure you meet the paperwork requirements for the type of wedding ceremony you are planning. We recommend that you work with a wedding planner who will be able to guide you through the process from start to finish and ensure there are no delays along the way. You’ll find that visitors from around the world travel to Greece to get married, so the answer to the question of can a US citizen get married in Greece is also very positive. It’s a dream wedding destination for individuals from around the globe thanks to the spectacular scenery, budget-friendly wedding venues and good transportation links across Europe.

Same-sex marriage is not currently legally recognized in Greece. While there has been some progress in this area over the years, it has yet to become legal in the country. Nevertheless, Greece has officially recognized cohabitation agreements, providing same-sex couples with several rights, thereby enabling civil unions within the country. Our team can work with you to find an alternative destination for your same-sex marriage.