Marriage in Greece

Marriage in Greece is allowed for both residents and non-residents of the country. Marriages may be civil or religious; civil marriages are performed by the mayor. In most cases religious ceremonies will be conducted by the Greek Orthodox church.^[1] Same-sex marriage has been legal in Greece since 2024.^[2]

Greece legally recognizes two forms of marriage: civil and religious. Civil marriages are conducted by a mayor or civil official, while religious marriages are usually performed by a priest of the Greek Orthodox Church. Both are legally binding, and couples may choose either or both. To marry in Greece, both parties must typically provide a certificate of no impediment, an apostilled birth certificate, and official translations of key documents into Greek.^[3][4]

Traditional Greek Orthodox weddings also include symbolic rituals such as the crowning of the couple (stefana), the ceremonial walk around the altar, and the use of koufeta (sugar-coated almonds), which reflect spiritual unity and family blessings.^[5]