The Journey to Greek Citizenship: A Review of the Experiences of Long-Term Residents of Migrant Origin: A Study Among Three Groups of Greek Citizenship Applicants: (i) Born in Greece; (ii) Residing in Greece for Over 20 Years; And (iii) Arrived in Greece Less Than 20 Years Ago
Translated title
The Journey to Greek Citizenship: A Review of the Experiences of Long-Term Residents of Migrant Origin
Author
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-10-16
Abstract
A citizenship application in Greece may take up to ten years to be processed, and there are individuals of migrant origin, who have been residing in Greece for all, or most of their lives, without having attained citizenship. This study analyses the experiences of 12 long-term residents of migrant origin in Greece in relation to citizenship practices and policies, identity formation, and (dis)empowerment. A key finding of this research is that the citizenship application process in Greece lacks clarity and consistency, and is characterised by sudden legislative changes, minimal communication of new requirements to the public, and an intricate bureaucracy. Drawing on Boudieu’s conceptual framework, the analysis shows that the symbolic violence applied by the Greek state has significant repercussions, not only on immigrants’ legal status but also on their sense of belonging and agency. By acknowledging the power dynamics inherent in the citizenship journey, this paper offers a pathway to new ways of thinking and talking about citizenship and, ultimately, its attainment. Keywords: Greek citizenship; citizenship application; Greece; symbolic violence; long-term residency; bureaucracy; migration.
Keywords
citizenship ; Greece ; migration ; bureaucracy ; Bourdieu
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