Levian Goga, “Hero of Arachtos”, Becomes Officially a Greek Citizen — Highlighting the Struggles Albanians Face for Citizenship

 In a moving ceremony at Maksimou, Levian Goga — the Albanian who risked his life in June 2025 to save two children from drowning in the Arachtos River — was officially granted Greek citizenship. The presentation took place in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios, and Secretary General for Citizenship Affairs Dimitris Karnavos. 

Levian Goga holding the certificateshowing his Greek citizenship in his hand in the middle, Greek Prime Kyriakos Mitsotakis on his left and his wife on his right

Goga, who for many years has lived in Greece, gave the oath and was welcomed as a full citizen of the country. Mitsotakis praised him, saying, “Thank you for what you did. You deserve this honor and more.” 

The Heroic Act

In June 2025, Goga dove into the fast and dangerous currents of the Arachtos River near Neochori to rescue two children in distress. He repeatedly risked his life. Though he succeeded in pulling both from the river, sadly, the children later died in hospital. 

His actions stirred national emotion, becoming a symbol of bravery and humanity. Media outlets across Greece and Albania applauded him—not only for his deed, but for putting into sharp relief values such as altruism, solidarity, and sacrifice. 

Citizenship Granted as Recognition

The Greek government declared that this act of extreme courage merited official recognition. In September 2025, Goga was formally granted citizenship, in what has been called a symbolic gesture of gratitude from the state. 

Goga himself stated that he did not act with the hope of receiving citizenship. He said that he has been living in Greece for decades—arriving at age 17, later settling with his family—and that Greece has become his home.

The Broader Context: Challenges for Albanians Seeking Greek Citizenship

While Goga’s case ended in success, it also underscores persistent difficulties many Albanians face in obtaining Greek citizenship—even when they live and work in Greece for many years and contribute through taxes. Below are key issues illuminated by recent reporting and legal studies:

1. Length of Legal Residency:
   Under the current Greek Citizenship Code (Law 4735/2020), a foreigner must have lived legally in Greece for 7 continuous years to qualify for naturalization in many cases. 

2. Economic Criteria / Adequate Standard of Living:
   Applicants must show a stable income that ensures an “adequate standard of living” for themselves and dependents. This requirement is not only for the year immediately preceding the application but applies retroactively across all required years of legal residence.

3. Language, Culture, Integration Tests:
   Applicants are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the Greek language, culture, and history, and prove they are socially and economically integrated. This includes documentation, sometimes local community validation, etc. 

4. Administrative Delays & Complex Bureaucracy:
   Even when legal criteria are satisfied, bureaucratic hurdles, delays, unclear procedures, or inconsistent interpretations by authorities create obstacles. Though not always documented in every individual case, studies and civil society reports point out that many applicants wait for long periods and face inconsistent demands.

5. Statelessness / Uncertain Legal Status for Many Migrants:
   Some Albanians (or other nationals) live for years with irregular or semi-regular legal status, which prevents accumulation of continuous legal residence required for citizenship. Others may have documents but lack stable employment or regular income, complicating meeting all requirements.

6. Public & Political Sensitivities:
   Citizenship laws in Greece have historically been shaped by concerns about national identity, demographic shifts, immigration, and debates about ethnicity vs legal belonging. Those debates often influence how strictly laws are enforced.

Why Levian Goga’s Case Stands Out

• Moral and symbolic weight: The act of saving lives moves public opinion and opens doors in a way many legal, economic, or bureaucratic claims alone cannot.

• Visibility: Media attention, political interest, and social recognition likely expedited or made possible the decision.

• Longevity of presence in Greece: Goga has lived at least 20–24 years in Greece, with family, working, contributing. He is not a transient case.

Implications and Questions Going Forward

Goga’s officially obtaining a Greek passport is both celebratory and instructive. It suggests that under extraordinary circumstances, Greek citizenship can be granted to long-term immigrants who have deeply integrated. Yet, for many others who live quietly, do regular work, pay taxes, raise families, but without dramatic or heroic moments, the path remains hard.

Questions remain:

• Could this case set a precedent for more flexible treatment of deserving applicants?

• Will legal reforms ease income or residency requirements?

• How will the Greek state address backlog, transparency, and fairness in citizenship provision?

The story of Levian Goga is more than a tale of heroism: it is a mirror, reflecting both the capacity for states to reward humanity and the need for citizenship systems to recognize the everyday contributions of immigrants. Goga finally obtains the rights and recognition many long-term residents hope for—but his journey also reminds us of the many still waiting, despite years of honest work, tax‐paying, family ties, and fully lived lives in Greece.