Cyprus-Forum.com

[purdey]

Ok, here's one. Let's say my father is British and his father was British, but his great grandfather was Cypriot. On the other side my mother was German born, but her parents, grand parents were Cypriot.
What does that make me ?

[Piratis]

Let's say my father is British and his father was British, but his great grandfather was Cypriot.

Then your family stopped being Cypriot from the time your grandfather decided that he is British and not Cypriot like his father. Same for your other side.

[purdey]

So let's say, or should I say you are saying, because my great grandfather took a British passport it makes his son a non Cypriot.

[Feisty]

What I'm saying is that the legal definition of the word is the country of birth. If you later become naturalised in a different country then that becomes your nationality.
Citizenship is a branch of nationality but does not encompass it.

I'd like to ask a question at this point. Has anyone ever challenged Cyprus on forcing a British person to serve in it's armed forces?

[Piratis]

You said that he was British, nothing about passports in your initial argument.

[lilminx]

Ive had 2 children here in Cyprus.. and they are British as their father is British it doesnt matter now which country a child is born in.

[purdey]

Can you imagine the disgrace to family if that were to be tried. They would have to be very brave, to announce the fact.
I am sure a few have tried through the back door. IMO.

[purdey]

According to passport, yes, sorry.

[Magnus]

I'm not sure if the passport issue comes into it when talking about former colonies. My father was born in Cyprus but as the British were in charge at the time he got a British passport.

I'd like to ask a question at this point. Has anyone ever challenged Cyprus on forcing a British person to serve in it's armed forces?

I haven't heard of any cases but I do know that the Cypriot government insist that if your father and grandfather are Cypriots then you are obliged to serve in the military.

The EU doesn't come into the issue, they say the policy is determined by the Cypriot authorities so someone like me (with a British passport etc) still has to serve in the military on permanent residence in Cyprus.

The British government also supports this view. They allow a person to have dual-citizenship but they say that if that person has a Cypriot father and grandfather then they are effectively a Cypriot and obliged to do their national service in the event of their permanant residence in Cyprus.

[Niki]

Ok, this isn't one of those fun games like 'what's my fruit', so apologies if that's what you were expecting. I want to ask you all, what nationality you would say I am based on this information:

1. My parents are both Greek Cypriots, born and raised in Cyprus but have lived it the UK for many years.

2. I was born in the UK and have lived here all my life. I was educated and work/pay taxes here. My passport, birth certificate and all other official documentation describes my nationality as 'British'.

3. I have never lived in Cyprus but visit as often as I can.

4. I haven't done any military service in Cyprus but if I were to relocate on a permanent basis then I would be obliged to do so.

5. In the eyes of the Cypriot government, I would be considered a 'repatriated Cypriot' if I move there, not a British citizen living there under my EU rights.

6. I speak Greek quite fluently, but there is always room for improvement.

7. I take as much interest in Greek and Cypriot culture as I do British culture.

8. My religion is Greek Orthodox.

9. I have a Greek name.

10. I love Cyprus more than the UK.

11 .Most English/British people (who aren't of 'foreign' descent) I have met regard me as a 'foreigner'.

All the Greeks (from Greece) I have met regard me as a Cypriot and a Hellenic brother.

Most Cypriots I have met (both GC and TC) regard me as a Cypriot.

I regard myself as a Greek Cypriot.


So what am I?

Is my nationality determined by heritage, place of birth, place of residence or personal sense of belonging?

I won't vote in this myself, so any votes are from you lot.

This whole post is heavily leaning towards the fact that you feel and want to be Cypriot. There is no choice here as you feel you have made up your mind so no point in any other discussion.

Cypriot. Of course .