Getting married in Greece from the UK: document guide

Planning a Greek wedding from the UK?

The paperwork is more complex than you think.

Greece requires specific documents that must be obtained months in advance, not the week before your big day. You’ll need UK certificates, apostille stamps, sworn translations, and proof of single status, all while navigating both British and Greek legal requirements.

Most couples get caught off guard by the timeline. The documentation process alone can take months, assuming everything goes smoothly (spoiler: it rarely does).

Quick Note: Don’t risk delaying your dream Greek wedding over document rejections. London Apostille Services Ltd. helps you avoid last-minute disasters with our next-day apostille service and 15+ years of expertise. Missing deadlines could push your wedding back by months.

Get your documents processed now before it’s too late.

Yes, UK citizens can legally marry in Greece without needing Greek residency. Your marriage will be automatically recognised in the UK once it is completed under Greek law.

However, note that Greece treats UK nationals as foreign citizens for marriage purposes. That’s why you’ll follow the same process as other non-EU citizens, which involves more paperwork than marriages between Greek citizens.

Different countries have different documents required for overseas marriage.

Let’s break down the specific paperwork you’ll need to gather to get married in Greece:

All documents must be recent. Greek authorities typically want documents issued within three months of your wedding date.

Pro Tip: For religious ceremonies, plan to have two copies of each document — one for the house of worship and one for the town hall.

Getting your UK documents ready for Greece involves three crucial steps that must be done in the correct order:

The Certificate of No Impediment is required for British nationals to get married in Greece. You need to book an appointment at a UK register office to give notice.

When booking, inform them that you require a CNI to get married abroad. Your names on the CNI must match those on your passports, including middle names.

You can apply for your UK CNI online to get started with the process.

A Greek wedding typically requires birth certificates that show both parents’ full names. If you only have short-form certificates, order full versions from the General Register Office (GRO).

Certificates cost £12.50 each and are sent within four days if you have the GRO reference number, or up to 15 working days if a search is required.

Every UK document requires an apostille stamp before it can be accepted in Greece. The apostille proves your document is genuine and comes from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

You have two main options for obtaining apostilles:

The FCDO can only apostille specific UK documents that it can legalise, so ensure your paperwork meets the requirements before submitting.

After apostilling, you need Greek translations. The Greek Embassy in London does not provide translation services directly, so you’ll need to use professional translation services.

Sworn translations typically cost from £30 per page (maximum 250 words) with a standard turnaround time of 48 hours.

Urgent service is available for faster processing when needed. Translations must be provided on official letterhead, accompanied by certification statements and official stamps, to be accepted by Greek authorities.

Many couples complete their translations locally in Greece, which is often cheaper and faster. Wedding planners help arrange these services. Alternative options include Greek sworn translators in Athens or certified lawyers in Greece.

London Apostille Services Ltd. provides sworn translations for apostilled documents. You can order your sworn translation online to ensure your documents are properly prepared for Greece.

Important: Don’t translate documents before getting apostilles. The apostille must go on the original English document.

Greece offers both civil and religious ceremonies, each with distinct requirements beyond the basic documentation:

Most civil ceremonies take place in Greek, which means you may need to arrange for translation services during the ceremony. Greek civil law requires two witnesses to be present at your wedding ceremony.

They must have passports or Greek identifying documents with them. The process is straightforward and follows standard Greek civil law requirements.

Civil ceremonies typically take place at town halls, city halls, or approved venues such as hotels. You cannot have civil ceremonies at archaeological sites or unlicensed locations.

Orthodox weddings have additional strict requirements:

Protestant and Jewish weddings need confirmation from recognised religious authorities in Greece.

Same-sex civil marriages became legal in Greece on February 15, 2024, with identical documentation requirements as opposite-sex couples. Same-sex couples also have full adoption rights under the new law.

However, Orthodox religious ceremonies are not available for same-sex couples, as the Greek Orthodox Church does not perform same-sex religious marriages.

Beach weddings are possible, but they require special permits. Local authorities must officially approve the venue; however, many popular beaches don’t allow wedding ceremonies.

Symbolic ceremonies don’t require the same legal documentation, but they won’t be legally recognised. Most couples who have symbolic weddings complete the legal formalities separately in the UK.

Follow these essential steps to legally marry in Greece:

Marriages that aren’t registered within this timeframe aren’t considered legally valid, regardless of whether your ceremony took place. Don’t skip this final step.

Even when you feel you’ve met all the legal and religious requirements, some errors can push back your wedding date by weeks or months:

Before we conclude, here are answers to the most common questions about getting married in Greece from the UK:

Greek weddings offer UK couples a beautiful blend of ancient traditions and modern legal recognition. The documentation process requires patience and precision, but countless couples successfully navigate these requirements each year.

London Apostille Services Ltd handles your Greek wedding apostilles, offering next-day service. Our FCDO-registered team ensures your documents meet Greek requirements perfectly.

Essential apostille services for your Greek wedding:

Get your personalised quote today and let us handle the paperwork while you focus on planning your perfect Greek wedding.