National Service

Army Service Information
I. Permanent residents abroad (in a country other than Greece)

All male Greek citizens, aged between 19 and 45, are required to serve in the Armed Forces. Greek citizens living permanently in a country other than Greece have the right to postpone their conscription until the age of 45. When they reach the age of 45, they are permanently exempted from their military obligation. 

It is noted that when the applicant is granted the postponement, he can travel to and stay in Greece for up to 6 months per calendar year. If he stays in Greece for more than 6 months in a calendar year, he loses the status of the permanent resident abroad. The postponement can be terminated either upon application by the holder himself or due to loss of the status of the permanent resident abroad.

In order to be eligible for postponement, a Greek citizen should fulfill one of the following criteria:
1.    To reside permanently in a country (one or more) other than Greece for at least 11 consecutive years prior to the day of his application. This category also includes those who have been born abroad and have since lived abroad.
2.    To reside and workin a country (one or more) other than Greece for at least 7 consecutive years prior to the day of his application

The postponement requires a “Certificate of Permanent Resident Abroad for Military Use”, issued by the Greek Consular Authorities. 

The Consular Authority responsible for the issuance of the Certificate is the one of the State / Territory where the applicant last resided.
(https://www.mfa.gr/australia/en/about-us.html )

If the applicant has lived in other countries during the period of 11 or 7 years (see above), he should contact the respective Greek Consular Authority to certify the years spent in the area of their jurisdiction.

The Certificate of Permanent Residence Abroad is officially sent to the competent Conscription Service by the Consulate.To follow up on the progress and the outcome of his application, the applicant can consult the website https://www.stratologia.gr/el/anavoli by inserting his TaxisNet personal codes.

Sub-categories of Permanent Resident abroad(in a country other than Greece)

Permanent residents abroad: Birth and entire lifespan abroad

An applicant falls under this category,ifhe was born in a country other than Greece, and has been living permanentlyin one or more countriesother than Greece, untilthe time of his application. If the applicant has spent in Greece more than six (6) months within a calendar year, he loses the right to qualify for this category.

It is noted that Greek citizens of this category have the right to reduced service (3 months) in the Greek armed forces. When they conclude their military service, they are able to stay in Greece for as long as they wish. 

Permanent residents abroad: At least eleven (11) years of living abroad (in a country other than Greece)

A Greek citizen falls under this category in case he has been living permanently in one or more countriesother than Greece, untilthe time of his application for the Certificate of Permanent Residence Abroad. 

If the applicant has spent in Greece more than six (6) months within a calendar year, he loses the right to qualify for this category. In this case, the number of years (11 or 7) of residence abroad are estimated from the date of his departure from Greece. 

The Greek citizens of this category have the right to serve in the Greek Armed Forcesfor six (6) months. If they do so, they can stay in Greece for as long as they wish.

Permanent residents abroad: At least seven (7) years of continuous work abroad(in a country other than Greece)

A Greek citizen falls under this category in case he has been working systematically for a living and has been living permanently abroad for at least seven (7) consecutive years in one or more countries. 

If the applicant has spent in Greece more than six (6) months within a calendar year, he loses the right to qualify for this category. In this case, the number of years (11 or 7) of residence abroad are estimated from the date of his departure from Greece. 

The Greek citizens of this category have the right to serve in the Greek Armed Forces for six (6) months. If they do so, they can stay in Greece for as long as they wish.

Scholarships, fellowships, or salary gained through studies (undergraduate, graduate, or PhD), or medical specialty training cannot be counted as income, since they refer to services that are necessary for the conclusion of studies or specialty.

II. Draft evaders living abroad: Certificate of Stay for military use

If a Greek citizen is between 19 and 45 years of age, lives in a country other than Greece and does not meet the criteria for a Certificate of Permanent Resident Abroad, nor for a military exemption or postponement, he can apply for a “Certificate of Stay for military use”, in order to fall under the category of draft evaders living abroad.

The Certificate of Stay is a necessary supporting document for the issuance of the “Certificate of Draft Evader Abroad”. With this Certificate the applicant can:
1.    travel to Greece for a period, which does not exceed thirty (30) days in total within a calendar year
2.    issue/renew his Greek passport, within six months of the issuance date of the Certificate

Prerequisites: The applicant should live abroad (in a country other than Greece) the last six (6) months at least. His request can be submitted only after the elapse of the enlistment day indicated on his conscription note.

The Certificate of Stay is issued by the competent Consular Authority and it is sent officially to the competent Conscription Service that issues the Certificate of Draft Evader Abroad. The applicant will receive the Certificate of Draft Evader Abroad electronically.