Greek citizens planning to vote from the United States or another country in Greece’s next parliamentary election must submit a new overseas-voter application. The requirement applies even to those who registered for the 2023 parliamentary elections or used postal voting from abroad in the 2024 European election.
The Interior Ministry said previous registrations no longer apply because voters must now choose whether to vote in person or by mail. Earlier registrants will receive an email or text message explaining the change, but the new registration system is already available.
The change follows Law 5285/2026, published on March 5, which introduced postal voting in parliamentary elections for eligible voters outside Greece.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said the election will take place in spring 2027, although an official date has not been announced.
Who can register
Registration is open to Greek citizens who expect to be permanently or temporarily outside Greece on election day, are listed in the electoral roll of a Greek municipality and retain the right to vote.
The former requirements involving two years of residence in Greece during the preceding 35 years and the filing of a recent Greek tax return were removed in 2023. Greek ancestry alone does not establish voting eligibility. An applicant must be a Greek citizen and already appear in Greece’s electoral rolls.
Three ways to vote
Applicants must select one of three voting methods.
Voting in person abroad: The voter chooses a preferred country and city where an overseas polling station may be established. When no polling station is created in that city, voters who selected in-person voting only will be assigned to the nearest available station.
A voter registered to cast a ballot abroad in person cannot instead vote at the municipality where that person is normally registered in Greece.
Postal voting only: The voter provides a complete address outside Greece where the electoral package will be delivered. An address in Greece cannot be used for postal-voting materials.
A postal voter who does not return the ballot, or whose return envelope does not reach the collection committee by the deadline, may vote at the place of regular registration in Greece under the election-day procedure.
In-person voting with a postal fallback: The voter selects a preferred city for in-person voting and also provides an overseas mailing address. When a polling station is established in that city, the voter must vote there. When no station is created, the voter receives a postal ballot instead.
This differs from selecting in-person voting alone. In that case, the voter may be assigned to another city when no station opens in the preferred location. The fallback option allows the voter to receive a postal ballot rather than travel to the nearest overseas polling place.
How to apply online
Applications can be submitted through the Interior Ministry’s overseas-voter platform, which is also accessible through Gov.gr.
Voters can enter the system using personal Taxisnet credentials. Those without Taxisnet can use an alternative identification process requiring:
- the number and issue date of a valid Greek passport;
- the date of birth shown on the voter’s Greek identity card;
- an active mobile telephone number.
The system sends a one-time code to the mobile number and directs the applicant through remote identity verification, including images of the applicant and the passport information page.
After verification, the voter confirms or enters a personal email address, mobile number and residential address before selecting a voting method. The same email address or telephone number cannot be used for more than one voter.
Applicants choosing postal voting should check the delivery address carefully and update it if they move before the election materials are sent.
Submission becomes final immediately, and the system issues a protocol number by email and text message as proof that the application was completed. Voters may later submit a modification or cancellation before the deadline that applies to the election.
Consular assistance is available
Voters who cannot or do not wish to complete the process online may apply through the Greek embassy or consulate serving their area. Assistance is available during an in-person visit or through a MyConsulLive video appointment and is provided without a fee.
Consular staff can locate a voter’s electoral registration using an AFM, Greece’s tax identification number. When an applicant does not have an AFM, staff may use information from a valid Greek identity card, passport or driver’s license.
Applicants must also have an active personal email address and mobile telephone number.
For readers in the Delaware Valley, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are served by the Consulate General of Greece in New York. Delaware falls under the Consular Office of the Embassy of Greece in Washington.
The registration deadline
Applications, changes and cancellations may be submitted at any time. To take effect for the coming election, however, the request must be completed no later than one day after the presidential decree formally calling the election is issued.
Any registration, modification or cancellation submitted from the second day after the election is called will be processed after that election and will apply to the following parliamentary contest.
Previous registrations will not carry over, and postal voting depends on accurate contact and delivery information. Voters abroad who intend to participate should submit a new application and check their details before Greece enters the formal election period.