According to Article 1 of the Greek Nationality Code enacted 20 September 1955, a Greek national by birth is:

a) a person born of a Greek father;

b) a person born of a Greek mother if the father is stateless;

c) a person born of a Greek woman out of wedlock;

d) a person born in Greece who does not acquire nationality by birth (Greece 20 Sept. 1955).

Please note that a copy of Articles 1 to 35 of this same Code, which outlines how a person might obtain Greek nationality, is attached to GRC 17965. E of 7 November 1994.

Further the Website of the John Tripidakis Law Offices states that every individual born in Greece obtains Greek nationality at birth except if he/she obtains at birth a foreign nationality or if his/her nationality is "uncertain" (John Tripidakis n.d.a). Article 1 of Act 3370/55 on the "Greek Nationality Code" further provides that a child of a Greek male or Greek female obtains Greek nationality at birth (ibid. n.d.b).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Greece. 20 September 1955. Greek Nationality Code.

John Tripidakis. n.d.a. "Law of Nationality." http://www.greeklawyersonline.com/html/guide_nationality.html [Accessed 7 Mar. 2003]

John Tripidakis. n.d.b "Greek Passports" http://www.greeklawyersonline.com/html/guide-passports.html [Accessed 7 Mar. 2003]

IRB Databases

Internet sites including:

Embassy of Greece, New York

Greek Consulate, Toronto

Law Offices Haroula Constaninidou

Lawnet

Prefecture of Lesvos

UNHCR

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