Military Service

MILITARY ISSUES – NATIONAL SERVICE

The Greek Consular Authorities have the jurisdiction to certify that Greek male citizens fall into the status of Permanent Residents Abroad.

The law 3421/2005 On Greek National Service and Military Issues defines the military obligations and rights of Greek nationals and sets the conditions that need to be met in order for someone to be regarded as Permanent Resident Abroad.

STATUS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT ABROAD

For information and clarification regarding the provisions of the military legal framework, you may visit the official website of the Military Service – Military Legal Councilors (www.stratologia.gr) which is updated on a daily basis.

In general, in compliance with the Law 3421/2005, Cap.D, Art.25 On Greek National Service and Military Issues, the status of permanent residents abroad is granted to those who:

a. Reside permanently abroad (in one or more countries) for at least eleven (11) consecutive years

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

The status of permanent resident abroad is not granted for life and it can be lifted. 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE ISSUE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF PERMANENT RESIDENT ABROAD

A. Those who were born abroad and reside abroad since birth, until the present day, in one or several countries.

The supporting documents required for the issuance of the Certificate of Permanent Resident Abroad are the following:

a. Application to the Consular Office (provided at the Consular Office)

b. Passport or ID card or certificate of registration in a Municipality in Greece (military records or ‘mitroa arenon’ registration number also needed) (originals and photocopies).

c. Educational institutes certificates (degrees, transcripts), employers’ certificates, pay slips, P60’s, bank statements (monthly), council tax, utility bills, any other documents proving continuous residence abroad (originals and photocopies). In case the applicant is self-employed, he needs to provide: company’s set up and registration, accountant’s letter, self assessment form (revenue).
NOTE: for the period that the applicant was a minor (under 18 years old), he must prove that both his parents or the one who had the exclusive parental responsibility and guardianship was residing abroad. In that case, besides the school certificates, the relevant supporting documents for the parents should also be submitted e.g. P60’s, bank statements etc (originals and photocopies).

B. Those who reside permanently abroad for at least eleven consecutive years.

The supporting documents required for the issuance of the Certificate of Permanent Resident Abroad are the following:

a. Application to the Consular Office (provided at the Consular Office)

b. Passport or ID card or certificate of registration in a Municipality in Greece (military records or ‘mitroa arenon’ registration number also needed) (originals and photocopies).

c. Educational institutes certificates (degrees, transcripts), employers’ certificates, pay slips, P60’s, bank statements (monthly), council tax, utility bills, any other documents proving continuous residence abroad for these eleven consecutive years. (originals and photocopies). In case the applicant is self-employed, he needs to provide: company’s set up and registration, accountant’s letter, self assessment form (revenue).

NOTE: for the period that the applicant was a minor (under 18 years old), he must prove that both his parents or the one who had the exclusive parental responsibility and guardianship was residing abroad. In that case, besides the school certificates, the relevant supporting documents for the parents should also be submitted e.g. P60’s, bank statements etc (originals and photocopies).

C. Those who live and work abroad as fully employed (covering their living expenses) in one or several countries for at least seven years.

The supporting documents required for the issuance of the Certificate of Permanent Resident Abroad are the following:

a. Application to the Consular Office (provided at the Consular Office)

b. Passport or ID card or certificate of registration in a Municipality in Greece (military records or ‘mitroa arenon’ registration number also needed) (originals and photocopies)

c. Employers’ certificates, pay slips, P60’s, bank statements (monthly), council tax, utility bills, any other documents proving continuous residence abroad for these eleven consecutive years. (originals and photocopies). In case the applicant is self-employed, he needs to provide: company’s set up and registration, accountant’s letter, self assessment form (revenue).
NOTE: for the period that the applicant was a minor (under 18 years old), he must prove that both his parents or the one who had the exclusive parental responsibility and guardianship was residing abroad. In that case, besides the school certificates, the relevant supporting documents for the parents should also be submitted e.g. P60’s, bank statements etc (originals and photocopies).

NOTE: If the applicants during the above periods were also resident in other countries (other than Belgium), they should submit certificates of permanent residency in these countries, issued by the relevant Greek Consular Authorities.

If all the required documents are provided, the certificate will be issued on the same day. The certificate is valid for six months.

MILITARY EXEMPTION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS ABROAD

- You need to provide to the Consular Office the above mentioned documents (depending on the category you fall into), so that a permanent residence certificate is issued.

- The permanent residence certificate, accompanied by the relevant application, will then be sent to your Military Office, either by yourself or by the Consular Office.

If you wish to lift the exemption and serve in the Army, you will have to request the lift and have an updated permanent resident certificate issued (based on the above mentioned documents).

NOTE: Residence in Greece for more than 6 months, cannot be included in the Permanent Residence Certificate.

CONTACT WITH THE CONSULAR OFFICE ON MILITARY ISSUES

The certificate is issued upon a pre-booked appointment of the applicant. The applicant’s physical presence is required.

The Consular Office will keep all provided documents for its records. If you need your originals back, you need to provide the Consular Office with photocopies of your documents.