Military Conscription Issues

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF GREEK PERMANENT RESIDENTS ABROAD (MILITARY ISSUES) IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LAW 3421/2005

As far as military issues of Greek citizens are concerned, the Greek Consular Authorities have the right to certify that Greek male citizens residing within the area of their jurisdiction, are regarded as Permanent Residents Abroad, and thus, either be exempt from their national service for a period of time or serve the Greek Army under reduced period of service.
According to law 3421/2005, which was implemented on 1.1.2006, changes have occurred, among other things, in relation to the legal status of Greek permanent residents abroad, both regarding the conditions of granting this status as well as regarding the duration of the national service.

STATUS – RIGHTS OF PERMANENT RESIDENTS
Permanent residents abroad are entitled to an exemption of their national service, of indefinite duration, and can be interrupted only upon request to lose the status of a permanent resident abroad. If they wish, they can serve the Greek Army for six months (or three months if they fall under Category A – see below).
Those who have completed their 35th year of age, can pay off the rest, after serving armed national service for at least 45 days.
Those who have been or still are «ανυπότακτοι εξωτερικού» (have been called to serve but did not do so because they live abroad), by fulfilling the criteria of Law 3421/2005 (exempt of national service as permanent residents abroad) are exempt from being called upon, provided that they have been granted the status of “ανυπότακτοι εξωτερικού”, and all the penalties are lifted.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF PERMANENT RESIDENT ABROAD
According to art. 25 of Law 3421/2005, the status of a permanent resident abroad can be granted to those who have already acquired the certificate of the Permanent Resident Abroad, issued by the relevant Consular Authorities (within the area of jurisdiction of the applicant’s last permanent residence) and who fulfill one of the following conditions (applies to applicants who are over 18 years old):
A. Those who were born abroad and reside from their birth until the present day abroad in one or several countries.

The supporting documents required for the issuance of the Certificate of Permanent Resident Abroad are the following:
• Application to the Consular Office (provided at the Consular Office)
• 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).
• Educational institutes certificates (degrees, transcripts),  employers’ certificates, registration certificate in Norwegian Municipality (Bostedsattest), Government insurance registration (NAV) (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.  employers’ certificates, registration certificate in Norwegian Municipality (Bostedsattest), Government insurance registration (NAV) (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:
• Application to the Consular Office (provided at the Consular Office)
• 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).
• Educational institutes certificates (degrees, transcripts), employers’ certificates, registration certificate in Norwegian Municipality (Bostedsattest), Government insurance registration (NAV) (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) (originals and photocopies).
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. employers’ certificates, registration certificate in Norwegian Municipality (Bostedsattest), Government insurance registration (NAV) (originals and photocopies).
C. Those who reside abroad and work 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:
• Application to the Consular Office (provided at the Consular Office)
• 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).
• Employers’ certificates. employers’ certificates, registration certificate in Norwegian Municipality (Bostedsattest), Government insurance registration (NAV) (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.  employers’ certificates, registration certificate in Norwegian Municipality (Bostedsattest), Government insurance registration (NAV) (originals and photocopies).
If the applicants during the above periods were also resident in other countries (other than Norway), they should submit certificates of permanent residency in these countries, issued by the relevant Greek Consular Authorities.
Government employees serving abroad are not entitled to a certificate of permanent resident abroad.
If all the required documents are provided, the certificate will be issued on the same day. The certificate is valid for six months.


CONTACT WITH THE CONSULAR OFFICE REGARDING MILITARY ISSUES
The certificate is issued upon a pre-booked appointment of the applicant. The applicant’s physical presence is required.
For additional information concerning military matters, you may visit the website www.stratologia.gr