In an exclusive interview with the Greek Australian newspaper Neos Kosmos, recorded on 12 October 2026 at Maximou Mansion in Athens, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivered a clear message to the Greek diaspora: take part in Greece’s elections, invest in the homeland, and stay connected. Although the interview was addressed to Greek Australians, much of what he said applies to Greeks living anywhere in the world — and several points touch directly on the legal matters our clients bring to us every day.
Below we summarise the key takeaways and explain what they mean in practice.
1. Voting from abroad is now a reality
The headline message was about the vote. Under the new legal framework, Greek citizens who are registered on the Greek electoral rolls can vote from their country of residence — by post or through consular arrangements — without travelling to Greece. The next national elections are expected in spring 2027.
“If you’re registered to vote in Greece, you can vote in Australia from anywhere in the world,” the Prime Minister said, acknowledging that “in the past, we had made it more difficult for people to vote.” He also highlighted that every party must now include a member of the diaspora on its national list, giving Greeks abroad a direct voice in Parliament.
What this means for you: The key word is registered. Many Greeks abroad — and many children and grandchildren of Greek emigrants — have never been entered in a Greek municipal registry (dimotologio) or on the electoral rolls. Without that registration, the right to vote from abroad cannot be exercised. With elections approaching, now is the time to check your status and complete any missing registrations.
2. Citizenship: “more complicated than it should be”
Perhaps the most significant remark for the diaspora concerned Greek citizenship itself. Mitsotakis admitted that the process is “more complicated than it should be,” especially for the third and fourth generations. While second-generation Greeks usually find the process relatively simple, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Greek emigrants often face complex requirements, missing records and lengthy procedures. Easing these processes, he said, would be “one way of making more people Greek.”
What this means for you: This is an encouraging signal, but no new citizenship rules were announced in the interview, and the current law still applies. Citizenship by descent remains fully achievable today — it simply requires careful preparation: tracing the Greek ancestor’s registration, obtaining and translating vital records (birth, marriage, baptism certificates), and correcting gaps or inconsistencies in names and dates. Families who start now will be well placed whether or not the procedure is simplified later. Once citizenship is recognised, registration in the municipal roll also opens the door to voting from abroad.
3. Investing in Greece — big and small
The Prime Minister invited the diaspora to invest in Greece, referring to discussions with large Australian pension funds and existing investments by Macquarie. But he stressed that investment does not have to be large-scale: a Greek Australian buying property in Greece or renovating the family home in their village also matters. He pointed to Greek Australians from Perth, Adelaide and Sydney who have invested heavily in Kastellorizo as an example.
What this means for you: Buying or restoring property in Greece is rewarding, but it requires proper legal due diligence: verifying title and the property’s registration with the Hellenic Cadastre, checking for unauthorised constructions and encumbrances, obtaining a Greek tax number (AFM), and — very often — first settling the inheritance of a family property that has passed through several generations without formal acceptance. Many “family homes in the village” cannot be sold, renovated or even legally used until the inheritance is properly regularised.
4. Tax incentives for those who return
Mitsotakis noted that around 500,000 Greeks left the country during the financial crisis and that many are now coming back. To encourage this, Greece offers a 50% reduction in income tax for seven years to people who relocate their tax residence to Greece after living abroad for more than eight years, subject to the scheme’s eligibility conditions.
He also said that a double taxation agreement between Greece and Australia is “very close,” adding: “We’ve been negotiating it for quite some time,” and expressing hope that it will be finalised “over the next few months.” For Greek Australians with income, pensions or property in both countries, this would be a welcome development.
5. Greece’s wider picture
The interview also covered broader themes: Greece’s role as a bridge between East and West while remaining anchored in the EU and NATO; its relations with Israel, the UAE, Egypt, India and China; the “complicated” relationship with Turkey; and the cost of living, which he called the top challenge for governments, mentioning a rent rebate of up to €800 to be paid at the end of November. He also discussed Athens becoming a year-round destination and confirmed his commitment to visit the Greek Australian community, after a planned trip was postponed because of events in the Middle East.
How we can help
The Prime Minister’s message is clear: Greece wants its diaspora closer — as voters, as investors and as citizens. Our office assists Greeks abroad with every step of that connection:
- Greek citizenship by descent, including for third- and fourth-generation applicants
- Registration in the municipal registry (dimotologio) and on the electoral rolls
- Inheritance and property matters, including acceptance of inheritance and regularising family properties
- Real estate transactions and due diligence for buyers abroad
- Official translations and document preparation
- Recognition of foreign divorces and representation before Greek authorities
If you would like to vote in the 2027 elections, claim your Greek citizenship, or take care of a family property in Greece, contact us to discuss your case.
Source: Exclusive interview of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with Neos Kosmos, published 16 October 2026. Watch the full video here: https://vimeo.com/1236011307/135af1e591?fl=pl&fe=cm
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice; individual circumstances should be reviewed by a qualified professional.
