[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

GREECE

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship laws are based upon the Code of Greek Citizenship, amended in 1968 and 1984.

BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Greece does not automatically confer citizenship. The only exceptions are abandoned children or children of stateless parents.

BY DESCENT: Child born in wedlock, of a Greek father, regardless of the child's country of birth. Child born out of wedlock, of a Greek mother and an unknown or stateless father, regardless of the child's country of birth.

BY NATURALIZATION: No information provided.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. Exception: Greek law does not automatically remove citizenship upon a person acquiring a foreign citizenship. When a Greek citizen acquires another nationality, they are technically a dual citizen until the Greek government has given permission for the removal of Greek citizenship.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP: A person may not acquire a foreign citizenship until they have received permission from the Ministry of the Interior to renounce Greek citizenship. One cannot assume Greek citizenship to be lost by default.

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Greek citizenship is permitted by law, after receiving permission from the Ministry of the Interior. Those who have not fulfilled required military service or have been prosecuted for a felony are not granted permission to renounce Greek citizenship. Contact Embassy for details and required paperwork.

INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Greek citizenship: Person voluntarily acquires a foreign citizenship. Person undertakes service with a foreign country. Person has committed acts contrary to the national interest of Greece.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship, or requests for renunciation of citizenship, should be directed to the address below:

Embassy of Greece Consular Section 2221 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008

Embassy Telephone: 202-939-5800 Consular Telephone: 202-939-5818 Embassy Fax: 202-939-5824 Consular Fax: 202-234-2803

www.hiway.gr/gi

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