ATHENS – There were surprisingly few people who signed up to take their exam for Greek citizenship on May 16, with only 2,488 people from some 30,000 who had taken out applications applying.

Sources in the General Secretariat for Citizenship not named told Kathimerini that most of those who are going to take the test are over 40 years old and have lived in Greece for at least several years.

“Interest is already great for the exams scheduled to take place in September,” they added without explaining why it wasn't now although there was concern it's because the benchmark of proof is too high.

That requires applicants to prove they've made at least 7,800 euros a year for the three-, five- or seven-year duration of their visa with many apparently not able to show that as income levels were low during a near decade-long economic and austerity crisis, and worse during COVID-19 lockdowns over the previous 15 months since the pandemic began.