How Greeks Living Abroad can now Register to Vote
A complete guide , Q&A and relevant resources
How to register on the platform:
1. Go to the website www.apodimoi.gov.gr and login using TaxisNet username/password.
2. The platform searches for your entry in the basic electoral list and selects it, so that your details are automatically filled in the application.
3. Fill in your address of permanent residence abroad, your contact telephone number and your e-mail address. Then, choose the country and city where you wish to exercise your right to vote from the respective lists of the specific fields.
4. Upload electronically the copies of the supporting documents required by the law, i.e. public documents (studies, army enlistment certificate, etc.) that prove your residence in Greece for 2 years from the last 35 years. In the event that you cannot post the corresponding documents, you can, through the platform, authorize the Ministry of the Interior to search for them ex officio.
5. You certify that the details of your application are true to the best of your knowledge and submit the application.
6. After the acceptance of the application, you are registered in the special electoral list for the Greek citizens that live Abroad for 8 years.
7. In case that your application is rejected, the reason for rejection will be provided and you will be given the right to appeal.
Proposal Overview
In 2019, Greeks living abroad gained the right to vote in national elections—a big step in connecting the diaspora with the Greek state. The 2023 elections were the first time eligible voters could cast their ballots from their country of residence, and the Deon Policy Institute wanted to make sure the process was as easy as possible. That’s why we created the 2023 Greek Voter Registration Guide.
This guide offers clear, step-by-step instructions, answers to common questions, and a collection of useful resources to help Greeks abroad register and participate in the democratic process. At Deon, we believe in the importance of civic engagement and are committed to making voter registration simple and accessible.
If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time! While the deadline to vote in the May 2023 elections was April 11, 2023, you can sign up now to make sure you’re ready for the next election.
Frequently Asked Questions
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a. The vote of Greek citizens living abroad counts equally in the overall election result.
b. The parties will be able to choose up to 3 candidates from abroad on the State Ballot and place at least one of them in one of the first 3 positions of the State Ballot, while Greek voters abroad choose the State Ballot of the party they want to vote for.
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Those who in the last 35 years have resided for 2 years in Greece and have submitted a tax return (E1 or E2 or E3 or E9) in 2022 or 2021.
If the data required is available on State databases, it will be automatically used.
The certification of residence requires public documents such as:
a) Certificate of attendance from a primary, secondary, post-secondary, technical or vocational school or from a higher education institution.
b) Certificate of payment of social security contributions (stamps).
c) Certificate of completion of military service for as long as it lasts
No tax return is required if:
- you are less than 30 years old AND
- your first degree relative has filed a tax return in the current or previous tax year (2020 or 2021).
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Elections are held in person at polling stations that will be set up in embassies, consulates, organizations or other suitable places, while the minimum number to set up a polling station is 40 voters.
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Project Contributors
President of Deon Policy Institute
Executive Director of Deon Policy Institute
Related Articles
G.S. of Ministry of Interior Ath. Balerbas: “Greece leads the way in matters of democratic process”
by Georgios Laskaris
After Greece’s first use of postal voting in the June 2024 European Elections, a discussion took place about its impact on the diaspora. The conversation focused on how this new system benefits Greeks abroad, the Deon Policy Institute’s proposal for simplifying registration through ID or passport numbers, and what lies ahead for postal voting in Greece. It also touched on the challenges and opportunities in making the process smoother and increasing voter participation from Greeks living abroad.
