MILITARY SERVICE FOR GREEK NATIONALS

MILITARY SERVICE FOR GREEK NATIONALS

All male Greek citizens, aged between 18 and 45 years old, are obliged to serve in the Armed Forces. Greek citizens living permanently abroad may seek deferment of their service, which lasts until the age of 45.

The deferment is granted based on the certificate of permanent residence abroad, which is issued only by the Greek Consular Authorities. The documents are submitted only once and not every year.

Permanent residents abroad are considered to be those who meet one of the following conditions:

a. They have main and permanent establishment abroad for at least eleven (11) consecutive years, in one or more countries.

b. They work and reside abroad for at least seven (7) consecutive years, in one or more countries.

For the purpose of completing the eleven-year or seven-year residence abroad the period of residence in Greece exceeding six months for each calendar year is not taken into account. In this case, the time required to acquire the status of permanent resident abroad is calculated again from the beginning.

Deferment of classification is also granted for pupils and students. In particular, deferment of classification for reasons of studying shall be granted for studies at a national or foreign educational institution which is state-run or recognised by the competent authorities of the State concerned, which is part of its official education system and which uses an internationally recognised language. Recruitment into the armed forces shall also be deferred for citizens who, at the date of their recruitment, are eligible and wish to participate in any process of enrolment higher education institution in the Greece or abroad.

For information and clarifications regarding the legislation, you can visit the website www.stratologia.gr , which is updated daily and through which, as holders of data tax (Tax Identification Number), it is possible to find online all the relevant personal information.