Apostille vs. Embassy legalisation for Greece
An apostille is the standard way to prepare papers for use in Greece. This stamp proves the person who signed your record held the right job when they did it. The good news is that Greece joined the Hague Convention in 1985, so your papers do not need extra stamps from consulates. This makes document legalisation for Greece simpler than going through the old embassy route. You just get the apostille and the paper is ready.
Greece's Hague status & what it means
Greece has been part of the Hague Convention since 1985. This means Greek offices must accept your apostille without more steps. But remember that some papers might still need translation into Greek before they will take them. When you have a Naples apostille Greece offices will recognize it right away. The system works the same across the whole country, from Athens to the islands.
The Naples → Greece route step by step
First, get your paper ready at the right office in Naples. The Prefettura handles most apostille requests. Then you bring it to their desk with a tax stamp worth €16, though some papers do not need this payment. After that, you have the apostille from Italy to Greece that makes the paper valid there. The whole thing usually takes a few days once you file it.
Cost & timing for this route
The main cost is the tax stamp at €16 per paper, but check if your paper is on the exempt list. The Prefettura in Naples does not charge extra for the service itself. Most files are done within a week, but busy times might push it longer. There is no fast-track option, so plan ahead if you have a deadline.
Destination-specific requirements
Greek offices often want papers in their own language. After you get the apostille for Greece, you might need to have it translated by a pro. The translator must swear the work is right at a court in Italy. This step, called asseverazione, makes the translation as good as the original. Always ask the office in Greece what they need before you start, as rules can change. Meeting the apostille requirements for Greece saves you a lot of trouble later.