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Getting married in Greece: Legal requirements, costs, and venues
Dream of getting married in Greece? Learn everything you need to know, including costs, types of marriages, and legal requirements.
Getting married in Greece is a straightforward process for foreign nationals. There is no minimum residency requirement in the sense of having lived in Greece, but you will need to arrive at least 8 to 10 days before the ceremony to complete the legal notice period.
You will also need a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) — or equivalent document confirming you are free to marry — obtained in your home country before you travel, Apostilled, and then translated into Greek.
This guide covers the legal steps, ceremony types, what it costs, the best locations, and the most common planning questions.
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Types of marriages in Greece
Several types of marriages can take place in Greece, each differing in requirements and legal standing.
Civil ceremony
A civil ceremony is legally binding in Greece and typically takes place in a town hall or mayor’s office. The ceremony usually lasts around 15 minutes and is conducted in Greek, so you may need a certified interpreter. You will need two witnesses and will receive your marriage certificate immediately afterwards.
Civil ceremonies cannot legally be held at archaeological sites, though you are free to celebrate at any location of your choosing after the official ceremony.
Religious ceremony
Religious ceremonies conducted by a registered Greek Orthodox, Catholic, or Jewish official are legally recognised in Greece, provided the civil element is completed either simultaneously or beforehand.
Catholic ceremonies require at least one partner to be Catholic, along with additional documentation from your home parish, including a letter of permission from your priest and certificates covering baptism, first communion, and confirmation.
Civil union and same-sex marriage
Civil unions for same-sex couples have been legal in Greece since 2015. Same-sex marriages were fully legalised in 2024, making Greece one of the first Orthodox-majority countries to do so. Same-sex couples can now access the same civil marriage process as opposite-sex couples.
Symbolic ceremony
Symbolic ceremonies are the most popular option for foreign nationals who prefer to handle the legal formalities at home and celebrate in Greece. There are no legal restrictions on where or how a symbolic ceremony is held — you can marry on a clifftop, a beach, a private terrace, or anywhere else that suits you. No official marriage officer is required.
Legal requirements for getting married in Greece
The documents you need will depend on whether you are having a civil, religious, or symbolic ceremony. The following apply to legally binding ceremonies.
What documents do you need?
- Valid passport or EU national identity card for both parties
- Original birth certificates for both parties, Apostilled and translated into Greek
- Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) or equivalent document confirming both parties are free to marry. This must be obtained in your home country before travelling, then Apostilled and translated into Greek
- If previously married: original decree absolute or death certificate of a former spouse, Apostilled and translated
- Declaration of intent to marry, submitted to the local Greek registrar
- Two witnesses with photocopies of their passports or ID documents
Additional documents for a religious ceremony
- Baptism, first communion, and confirmation certificates
- Certificate for a pre-marriage course
- Letter of permission from your priest or pastor
- Proof of civil marriage if the civil and religious ceremonies are held separately
The notice period and Apostille process
You must arrive in Greece at least 8 to 10 days before your wedding ceremony. During this time, you are required to place a public notice of your intention to marry in a local Greek-language newspaper, typically at least 8 days before applying for your marriage licence. This is a legal requirement for civil and religious ceremonies and cannot be waived.
Apostille and translation: all documents from outside Greece must carry an Apostille stamp to verify their authenticity for international use. They must then be translated into Greek by a certified translator — either via the Greek Embassy in your home country before you travel, or through a certified translator in Greece after you arrive.
The full official process can be reviewed on the Greek government marriage licence page. For the most up-to-date requirements, it is worth confirming details with the relevant Greek municipality or your chosen wedding planner before you travel.
Getting married in Greece as a foreigner
Foreign nationals can legally marry in Greece regardless of nationality. The process is well established and widely used by couples from the UK, the US, Australia, and across Europe.
The key steps are consistent: obtain your CNI or equivalent confirmation that you are free to marry from your home country, have it Apostilled, and arrange for certified translation into Greek before or shortly after arriving in Greece.
The specific name and format of this document vary by country. UK citizens obtain a CNI from their local register office and have it Apostilled via the FCDO.
US citizens typically submit an affidavit or sworn statement from a US Embassy or consulate in Greece. Most other nationalities follow a similar process through their own national authorities or local embassy.
All legally performed marriages in Greece are recognised internationally, including in the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia. A marriage conducted according to Greek law is valid proof of marriage anywhere in the world, and you do not need to re-register the marriage when you return home.
Best wedding venues in Greece
The right venue depends on your priorities — the best Greek islands to visit cover the full range, but a few stand out specifically for weddings.
- Santorini: the most iconic destination in Greece for weddings. The caldera views, cliffside settings, and blue-domed churches in Oia and Imerovigli are immediately recognisable. Venues here book 12 to 18 months in advance for popular dates — plan well ahead.
- Crete: the largest Greek island and the most varied. Bohemian beach settings on the western coast near Chania, rustic countryside venues inland, and more refined options around Heraklion. Generally more affordable than Santorini.
- Corfu and Kos: popular with couples from the UK, with well-established wedding industries, English-speaking planners, and strong direct flight connections. Both offer a blend of history and coastal scenery.
- Athens: rooftop venues with Acropolis views are genuinely spectacular and often overlooked. A good option for couples who want a city wedding rather than an island setting.
- Mainland Greece: the Peloponnese and northern Greece offer dramatic mountain and coastal backdrops that are far quieter than the islands. Worth considering for couples who want something less expected.
For a broader look at regions and destinations across the country, the Greece travel guide covers the main options in more detail.
If you plan a civil ceremony, keep in mind that the official legal element must take place in a town hall or approved municipal venue. You can then hold your celebration and reception wherever you choose.
How much does it cost to get married in Greece?
Costs vary considerably depending on the size of the wedding, the island, and the time of year. The figures below are approximate estimates.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Legal paperwork | ~€100 |
| Weddin venue | ~€500 |
| Food and drinks | ~€150 per person |
| Photographer / videographer | ~€500 to €1,000 |
| Accommodation (per person, per night) | ~€100 |
| Wedding planner | ~€1,000 to €2,000 |
| Celebrant or officiant | ~€500 to €1,000 |
| Entertainment | ~€400 to €2,000+ |
A modest destination wedding in Greece can fit within a budget of around €10,000 to €15,000 for a small group. A larger celebration with a luxury Santorini venue and full coordination can reach €50,000 or more.
When is the best time to get married in Greece?
Late spring and early autumn are generally the best times to get married in Greece — particularly May, June, September, and October. Temperatures are warm and comfortable without the intensity of midsummer, the light is excellent for photography, and venues are more accessible without peak-season crowds and premiums.
July and August are the most popular months and also the most challenging. Temperatures across the mainland and islands regularly exceed 30°C, midday heat can make outdoor ceremonies uncomfortable, and the most popular Santorini venues are fully booked well in advance. If you are set on a summer wedding, plan ceremonies for early morning or evening and book everything at least 12 months ahead.
May and September offer the best balance. The weather is reliably warm, the islands are lively but not overwhelmed, and there is more flexibility on venue and photographer availability. For those who want fewer crowds and lower prices, October is worth considering — the weather remains pleasant across most of Greece well into the month.
For more on what each season looks like across different parts of the country, the best places to visit in Greece give a useful overview by region.
How to plan your Greek wedding
The amount of effort you’ll need to put into the planning of your wedding depends on whether or not you decide to hire a wedding planner. That said, there are some things that you’ll need to do in preparation for your wedding day, regardless.
- Set your budget early. Establish a clear maximum before you start enquiring with venues and vendors. Costs in Greece escalate quickly, particularly on popular islands in peak season.
- Choose your date and location together. Your date will determine which venues are available and how competitive pricing is. Late May and September offer the most flexibility without peak-season premiums.
- Book as early as possible. Popular Santorini venues fill up 12 to 18 months in advance for June and September dates. Start the booking process as soon as your plans are confirmed.
- Hire a local wedding planner. The legal process in Greece — particularly the CNI, Apostille, newspaper notice, and translation requirements — is significantly easier to navigate with someone who manages it regularly. A good local planner will also have established relationships with the best vendors and know how to secure venue permits efficiently.
- Sort your documents before you travel. Obtain your CNI, get it Apostilled, and arrange translation in advance where possible. Arriving in Greece with incomplete paperwork adds unnecessary pressure in the days before the ceremony.
Make your Greek wedding planning easy with Holafly
For peace of mind throughout your trip, a Holafly eSIM for Greece keeps you connected from the moment you land. Every plan includes unlimited data, 5G speeds where available, and 24/7 customer support — whether you are coordinating with your wedding planner, navigating between islands, or streaming the ceremony for guests back home.
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Every Holafly eSIM also includes Always On: 1 GB of monthly backup data at no extra cost. Keep the eSIM installed on your device and you will always have a connection available, even after your main plan runs out.
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