[6] Willy Wolterstorff described the species in 1906 as Triton vulgaris graeca, a subspecies of the smooth newt.

[2] After genetic data had suggested the smooth newt was a complex of distinct lineages,[7] Dubois and Raffaëlli, in 2009, recognised several subspecies, including the Greek smooth newt, as distinct species.

[5]: 234 It is assessed as Least Concern globally in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and supposed tolerance of a broad range of habitats.

However, there is evidence that, in some large parts of the range, it is declining fast due to anthropogenic alterations (pollution, drying out of its habitat due to climate change, destruction of its habitat for commercial and touristic development, introduction of alien species, etc.).

The species has been negatively impacted by the introduction of fish, particularly in the northern part of its range in Montenegro.