Franklin Dean
Greece is a popular destination for weddings, with its beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages, warm climate, and delicious food. It offers a range of unique venues, from luxury resorts to secluded islands, making it a perfect choice for both elopements and big weddings. The country's rich culture and traditions, such as smashing plates and chanting Opa!, add to the allure of celebrating a marriage in Greece. However, there are legal requirements that must be met, including specific paperwork and translation, which can be navigated with the help of wedding planners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Greece is a popular destination for weddings, known for its beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages, warm climate, affordability, and cultural charm. |
| Requirements for non-EU citizens | A long-form birth certificate, certificate of no impediment to marriage, divorce/death/adoption/change of name certificates, and translation of documents into Greek. Two witnesses over 18 with valid ID are also required. |
| Paperwork process | Start at least three months before the wedding date. Submit paperwork to the local registrar's office at least eight days before the wedding. Pay a fee and obtain a marriage license. |
| Ceremony | Conducted by a Greek Orthodox priest or civil servant. Traditions include smashing plates and opa! chants. |
| Venues | Venues dedicated to larger groups are called "Ktima". Luxury venues include Amanzoe and hotels in Corfu, Rhodes & Crete. Unique options include Margi Farm in Athens or Lake Vouliagmeni for medium-sized weddings. |
| Curfews | Some venues have curfews, which can be as early as midnight in populated areas. |
| Guest experience | Guests are treated with Greek hospitality, including local dishes, wine, and sometimes dance lessons for traditional steps. |
| Budget | Greece offers budget-friendly options without sacrificing glamour. |
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What You'll Learn
Greece's COVID-19 restrictions
Greece has become a popular destination for weddings, with its beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages, warm climate, and affordability. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been restrictions in place for those entering the country and for domestic activities.
As of March 15, 2022, the Greek government eased travel restrictions by lifting the requirement for international travellers to fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF). Until this date, all travellers, regardless of nationality, had to complete the form before entering the country. Only Ukrainian nationals arriving on flights from abroad were exempt from this rule. From March 7 to March 21, 2022, travellers from EU/Schengen area countries and specific non-EU countries were allowed to enter with an EU Digital Covid Certificate.
Previously, in August 2021, Greek authorities tightened COVID-19 restrictions in Zakynthos and Chania due to surging infection rates. A curfew was imposed from 1:00 am to 6:00 am, and individuals could only leave their homes for essential purposes during this time. Gatherings of more than 20 people were prohibited. These measures were in place until at least August 13, 2021, and other nationwide restrictions included mandatory masks in enclosed public spaces and crowded outdoor areas. Workers had to regularly test themselves for COVID-19 unless they had completed their vaccination at least 15 days prior.
For international travel, only citizens from specific countries were allowed entry into Greece and had to be in possession of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 72 or 48 hours, respectively. Alternatively, they could provide an official document certifying their recovery from COVID-19. All arrivals had to complete the PLF and might have been selected to undergo a rapid test upon arrival. Those who tested positive had to self-isolate for seven days if vaccinated and ten days if unvaccinated. Travellers to the Greek islands, including domestic travellers, had to fill out a special sea travel COVID-19 declaration and provide proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test within 72 hours, a negative rapid test within 48 hours, or evidence of recovery.
Greece has specific requirements for weddings, including the submission of specific paperwork to the local registrar's office at least eight days before the wedding but not more than three months in advance. A fee must be paid, and on the wedding day, the couple must have their passports or ID cards, marriage license, and witnesses with their IDs. The ceremony is conducted by a Greek Orthodox priest or civil servant. After the ceremony, the couple receives a marriage certificate in Greek, which must be translated and certified for use outside Greece.
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Legal requirements for marriage
Greece is a popular wedding destination, known for its beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages, warm climate, and laid-back vibes. If you're planning to get married there, here are the legal requirements for marriage:
Age Requirements:
The legal minimum age for marriage in Greece is 18 years old. Younger couples can marry with special dispensation from a court and parental permission.
Documentation:
To get married in Greece, you'll need to submit various documents to the local registrar's office (Lixiarhio) in the area where the marriage will take place. This should be done at least eight days before the wedding, but no more than three months in advance. The required documents include:
- Passport copies of both parties
- Full birth certificates with both parents' names, certified by an Apostille stamp
- Certificate of non-impediment to marriage, also certified by an Apostille stamp
- Divorce/death certificate/adoption/change of name certificates, if applicable
- Baptism records of both parties, if having an Orthodox wedding ceremony
- Certificate of health, showing no communicable diseases
- Affidavit of Marriage or single status affidavit, printed in English and Greek, notarized, and signed in the presence of a consular officer
- A public fee voucher (paravolo) for authentication
- A wedding notice published in a local Greek newspaper, if required by the Town Hall
- Two witnesses with passports or Greek IDs, one of whom can act as an interpreter
Registration:
After the wedding ceremony, the marriage must be registered within 40 days to be legally valid. Registration takes place at the Vital Statistics Office (Lixiarcheio) of the city where the marriage was performed. Either spouse or a proxy with power of attorney can register the marriage. Late registrations incur a fee.
Ceremony Options:
Greece offers civil, religious, or combination weddings. Civil ceremonies are performed by an officiant, while religious ceremonies are conducted by a minister or priest. For a religious ceremony, additional documents like baptism and marriage certificates may be required by the clergy member.
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Popular wedding destinations
Greece is a popular wedding destination for couples worldwide. It offers stunning landscapes, deep-rooted culture, ancient ruins, picture-perfect islands, and scenic charm. Its Mediterranean setting, with sweeping views of the Aegean Sea and sunlit skies, provides the perfect backdrop for a dream wedding.
Greece has witnessed a surge in wedding tourism, attracting couples with its affordability, cultural charm, and idyllic scenery. The country's warm climate, picturesque villages, and beautiful landscapes make it an ideal location for a Pinterest-worthy ceremony. From intimate ceremonies by the sea to lavish celebrations in storybook castles, Greece has a unique venue for every couple's preferences and budget.
One of the most popular Greek islands, Santorini, offers enchanting venues such as the tranquil all-suites resort, Nobu Hotel, and Katikies Santorini, which combines luxurious living with natural beauty. Mykonos, another sought-after destination, boasts venues like Santa Marina Mykonos, a luxurious resort with stylish poolside terraces and a whitewashed stone wedding chapel.
Crete, known for its Cycladic charm, is home to Acro, a hidden gem offering panoramic views of the Cretan Sea and a blend of organic and contemporary design. For those seeking a more remote island experience, the Mandarin Oriental on the island of Corfu provides a picturesque beachfront setting.
Greece also offers unique venues steeped in tradition and culture. Danilia, a replica of a traditional Corfiot village, features an open-air tavern, a historic Orthodox church, and the Danilia Folk Art Museum. The Peligoni Club, set among olive trees on the hills of northern Zakynthos, and the family Estate of Fladakia, with its incredible views of the Aegean Sea, are other enchanting options.
Planning a wedding in Greece requires attention to legal requirements and paperwork. Couples should allow ample time for translation and certification of documents, and be prepared to submit them to the local registrar's office at least eight days before the wedding.
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LGBTQ+ marriages
Greece is a popular destination for weddings, with its beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages, warm climate, and budget-friendly options. The country has also been praised for its advancements in LGBTQ+ rights.
Same-sex marriage in Greece has been legal since February 16, 2024, when the president signed the bill into law. This makes Greece the first orthodox country to legalize same-sex marriage. This was a significant step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the country, which has seen a notable improvement in the legal and policy situation of LGBTQ+ individuals over the last decade.
Prior to the legalization of same-sex marriage, there were efforts to extend cohabitation agreements to same-sex couples, providing them with a subset of the rights and benefits of marriage. In 2015, civil unions were legalized for same-sex couples, granting them many of the legal protections and rights available to married opposite-sex couples. This was followed by further advancements, such as the right for same-sex couples to foster children, granted in May 2018.
While Greece has made significant progress in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, there are still reports of opposition to LGBTQ+ rights among the population. Additionally, in April 2025, Greece introduced a bill to ban surrogacy contracts for gay men and single men, which may impact the family planning options for LGBTQ+ couples.
If you are planning an LGBTQ+ wedding in Greece, it is important to be aware of the required paperwork and procedures. Similar to any wedding in Greece, there are specific documents that need to be prepared and translated into Greek. These include birth certificates, certificates of no impediment to marriage, and divorce or death certificates if applicable. It is recommended to start the paperwork process at least three months before the wedding date to allow for translation and certification. Once you arrive in Greece, you will need to submit your documents to the local registrar's office (Lixiarhio) and obtain a marriage license (Lithostroto) before your wedding day.
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Religious weddings
Greece is a popular destination for wedding tourism. Its beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages, warm climate, ancient ruins, and picture-perfect islands attract couples worldwide.
If you are planning a religious wedding in Greece, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the official religion of Greece is Orthodoxy. Therefore, a traditional religious Greek wedding usually takes place in a Greek Orthodox Church or a small chapel. The ceremony is performed by an Orthodox priest and consists of two parts: the engagement and the stefana (Greek wedding crowns). The groom, the bride, and the koumparos (Greek best man) are the three people involved. The koumparos exchanges the rings in the beginning and crowns the couple later. The rings are placed on the right hands, and the koumparos exchanges them three times. This exchange symbolises that in married life, one partner's strengths will compensate for the other's weaknesses, and their imperfections will be balanced by the other.
To have an Orthodox wedding in Greece, you will need to provide certain documents, including a Certificate of Baptism (Orthodox, Roman Catholic, or Protestant) for both the bride and groom, issued by their church parish. You will also need a Religious Certificate of Marital Status for both parties, issued by the local church, and birth certificates. These documents must be translated into Greek and certified by a notary public or a Greek consulate. Additionally, you may need to provide a certificate of health, showing that you are free from communicable diseases. It is recommended to start the paperwork process at least three months before your wedding date to allow enough time for translation and certification.
It is worth noting that weddings cannot be performed on the celebration day of the saint after whom the church is named. Also, Orthodox weddings usually take place during the summer when the weather allows for an outdoor reception.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, weddings are allowed in Greece.
Most civil ceremonies take place at the local town hall or at a few authorised venues. All couples must visit the town hall approximately 2 working days after their wedding to sign the legal papers. If you choose a celebrant-led symbolic ceremony, with no legal documentation, you can have your wedding almost anywhere.
If you are having a religious ceremony, contact the clergy directly. You may need to present your baptism certificate and marriage certificate to the member of clergy who will perform the ceremony. The Greek Orthodox Church only performs weddings if both parties are baptised as Christians.
The documents required vary depending on where you are from and where in Greece you are getting married. You may need to present an Apostilled birth certificate with an official translation, a marriage license issued by your state of residence, and a stamp in your passport showing the date and place of entry upon entering Greece.
As of May 2022, there are no specific COVID-19 restrictions on travel to Greece or gatherings. However, it is always a good idea to check the latest advice before travelling.
