Greek Nationality Law

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Greek Nationality Law is based on a mixture of the principles of Jus sanguinis and Jus soli. Greek citizenship is acquired mainly on the basis of a Greek parent, or by birth in Greece.

Dual citizenship is permitted under Greek Law.

A Greek National is a citizen of the European Union, and therefore is entitled to all rights that all other citizens of the EU have.

1 Acquisition of Greek Nationality by Birth
2 Acquisition of Greek Nationality by Recognition of a Child
3 Effect of Marriage on Nationality
4 Recognition of Nationality of Ethnic Greeks abroad
5 Acquisition of Greek Nationality by Naturalisation
6 Acquisition by Joining the Armed Forces
7 Loss of Nationality
8 See also

[edit] Acquisition of Greek Nationality by Birth

The child of a Greek citizen acquires the Greek nationality as from the time of his/her birth, the birth place is irrelavent.

The child born on Greek territory acquires the Greek nationality as from the time of their birth, provided that they do not acquire by birth a foreign nationality or that it is of unknown nationality.

[edit] Acquisition of Greek Nationality by Recognition of a Child

An alien born out of wedlock is automatically Greek if the mother is Greek. If the father is Greek and paternity can be proven,the child will become Greek when an application is submited for the child to become a Greek citizen, providing the child has not yet reached his/her 18th birthday, then he/she must make a request themselves to become Greek.

[edit] Effect of Marriage on Nationality

Marriage does not entail the acquisition or loss of Greek nationality.

[edit] Recognition of Nationality of Ethnic Greeks abroad

Any ethnic Greek born outside of Greece may become a Greek citizen through naturalization, providing he/she can prove a parent or grandparent was born as a national of Greece. The Greek ancestor's birth certificate and marriage certificate are required, along with the applicant's birth certificate, and the birth certificates of all generations inbetween until the relation between the applicant and the person with Greek citizenship is proven.

[edit] Acquisition of Greek Nationality by Naturalisation

An alien who has attained the 18th year of age may become Greek by naturalisation.

The following prerequisites are required for naturalisation: A declaration of the alien made before the mayor or the chairman of the village council where he/she is domiciled or resides, wherein it is stated that he/she wishes to be naturalised. The declaration is submitted in the presence of two Greek citizens serving as witnesses, For the alien ethnic Greek living abroad this declaration may be submitted before the Greek consul of his/her domicile, who will then transmit it to the Ministry of the Interior together with a relevant report.

If the alien is not an ethnic Greek, a total of ten years of residence in Greece within the last twelve years before the submission of the application for naturalisation or five years of residence in Greece after the declaration concerning naturalisation. An application for naturalisation submitted to the Ministry of the Interior.

The children of the alien who is naturalised become Greeks if, at the time of completion of the naturalisation proceedings, they are not married and they have not attained the 18th year of age.

[edit] Acquisition by Joining the Armed Forces

Ethnic Greeks, accepted to the military schools for officers or non- commissioned officers of the armed forces according to the special law governing each school, or enlisted in the armed forces as volunteers according to the law governing each branch, acquire the Greek nationality without any other formality as from the time they enter the schools or they are enlisted.

[edit] Loss of Nationality

Loss Due to Acquisition of a Foreign Nationality: A Greek national will not usually lose his/her Greek citizenship when obtaining another nationality, unless a request to lose the nationality is submitted. A Greek citizen may lose his or her nationality if wished so, by submiting an application to the Ministry of Interior in Athens.

A Greek will never lose his / her citizenship involuntarily.