Dual citizenship

[Skunks]

My passport expires in May, and I definitely intend to renew it. But thoughts of renewal, plus a recent trip to France and a tentative (unlikely) trip to Crete have given me renewed thoughts of living for a year or two in Europe. As I understand it, the only way to live and work in a country is to A) live there already or B) have a long-term visa, which mostly requires you to be a student or have your job before you get there. Given that I really have no remarkably marketable skills, B is out.

However, my father is a first generation immigrant from Greece; according to the Greek Consulate website, paternal decent up through the grandfather is one route to Greek citizenship. I figure that Greece, being in the EU, would then give me access to most other European countries.

This is all very loosely researched, and all very vague & unclear to me. Are there any significant drawbacks to dual citizenship? I understand that living & working in a foreign country I would still be taxed for that money in the States. Is the reverse also likely to be true? I understand Greek citizenship requires some sort of mandatory military/social service (I also understand that most Greeks have some hookup that lets them avoid it); would that interfere with my American citizenship?

[warch]

US, I think, doesnt recognize dual citizenship. You're in or you're out. Greece may,though.

[Pie]

According to the US Department of State (emphasis mine):

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy.Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth.

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.

Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct.The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

However, dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there.Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship.Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose citizenship.

Information on losing foreign citizenship can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States. Americans can renounce U.S. citizenship in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I understand that living & working in a foreign country I would still be taxed for that money in the States.

Not unless they have changed the law. Money earned offshore is only taxed here if you bring it here. Earn and spend it there, no US tax. Working offshore, for an American company, might alter that.