I have documentation of Greek ancestor, can I apply for citizenship? Is it still possible if my ancestor is born in 1810 in Heraklion? He was later captured by the Ottomans and sold as a slave in Tunis in the castle as a \*mamluk\*, the King of Tunisia seen a potential in him, liberated him, educated him and he became a General, he guided Tunisians in the war of Crimea later against the Russians.
Here is his wiki page: [https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A9n%C3%A9ral\_Osman](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%A9n%C3%A9ral_Osman)
My question can I still apply for citizenship if my ancestor is born year 1810, we do not have same surname anymore in Tunisia due to next generations and colonization
16 comments
The Greek state was established in 1830.
there was no ‘greece’ in the year 1810. so your ancestor never had the ‘greek citizenship’ to pass down to you.
no
Please note that I visited lots of countries in Europe, Greece was the only country where it felt really like home(I stayed there a week), it is very strange to describe, the people,culture,music,street and atmosphere.
Its just feeling of being home
How did you find out he was your ancestor? DNA sampling?
If you got a lot of money and you “invest” them in greece you get the citizenship for free!!
[https://www.documentonews.gr/article/politografisi-skandalo-me-ypografi-georgiadi/](https://www.documentonews.gr/article/politografisi-skandalo-me-ypografi-georgiadi/)
This article says how an arab from Kuwait got it!
When you’re desperate for EU citizenship /s
You probably need to apply for citizenship as everyone else does, that connection is most likely legaly null, very interesting family story though!
First of all, you have a pretty cool heritage, should be proud. Regarding your question, I have experience working in greek embassies and I would say the best thing to do is send a written question to the greek Consular Office of the country where you reside. It would be helpful if you could attach any documents that prove your case. Bests of luck!
not to hijack OP’s thread but I also have questions regarding this.
I’m interested in Greek (dual) citizenship. My father is Greek and lives in Greece. I went to gymnasio and lykeio in Greece and speak Greek (I don’t have the keyboard enabled and I’m lazy, sorry) but I have lived abroad for 10+ years now. I never got a taytothta. I emailed the consulate a while ago and they sent me this somewhat unhelpful link:
[https://www.mfa.gr/uk/en/services/greek-citizenship/determination-of-nationality-for-children-born-by-greek-parent.html](https://www.mfa.gr/uk/en/services/greek-citizenship/determination-of-nationality-for-children-born-by-greek-parent.html)
Born before 1982? Wtf? Does anyone have any insight?
You need to prove that at least one of your grandparents had Greek citizenship.
Citizenship by descent (the kind you are looking for) is given for immediate relatives of Greek citizens (Children, Spouses). Unless you can prove you are an immediate relative of the guy’s great great grandchild, there’s no way. That is the citizenship law in 99% of the world’s countries. Tbh I am just hoping you are trolling by this point
Wow very interesting! Not sure if you can get a Greek citizenship based on this one but there might be other ways you can move in Greece. Anyways, good luck!
You’d have better luck claiming citizenship in the now defunct Ottoman Empire with that fact.
pretty interesting story
Citizenship carries down only for 2 generations, so if one of your grandparents was not born on Greece, you do not have a claim.Also, FYI, you will not get automatic citizenship through marriage with someone who has claimed their greek citenzenship through birthright. I don’t know how it works if you marry a Greek born citizen however.