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.