The bill introduces sweeping restructuring across military service, deferments, exemptions, rank progression and the pay system of armed forces personnel. It has triggered strong reactions from all opposition parties as well as from student unions, who accuse the government of forcing conscription before university studies are completed.
During the debate, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias claimed that the reforms address long-standing structural problems ignored by previous governments. Responding to criticism that the bill downgrades non-commissioned officers (NCOs), he argued that the existing system created distortions and inequalities in promotions and that the new framework aims at “restoring balance”.
Key provisions include:
Military service, rank and training
• Abolition of classification into the Navy and Air Force from 1 January 2026.
• All conscripts assigned to the Army, except specific technical specialities.
• Census at 17 and call-up at 18.
• Nine-month service for those enlisting at 18 without deferment.
• Four ESSO intakes per year.
• Ten weeks of basic and combat training.
• Mandatory assignment to high-readiness units.
• Transfers closer to home only after six months of service.
• Twelve-month term for all, with nine-month service for Evros, Eastern Aegean islands, Cyprus, Special Forces and the Presidential Guard.
Study deferments
• New age limits: EPAL to 21, SAEK to 22, HEIs to 25 (26 for five-year programmes, 27 for six-year programmes), PhD candidates to 30.
• Deferments abolished for medical specialisation, PhD holders with distinction, CERN researchers and electoral candidates.
Mental-health exemptions
• Much stricter process: diagnosis only through NHS doctors, up to five-year deferment, final exemption through an interdisciplinary psychiatric committee, with annual review even for autism and Asperger’s.
Redemption of service
• Redemption available only after age 40 (previously 33).
• Cost increased to €1,500 per month (from €810).
• Sanctions for non-compliance lifted until 31 December 2027.
Reserve
• Reserve age extended from 45 to 60.
• Recall every three years for active reservists; every five years for conscript reservists.
Women’s military service
• Voluntary 12-month service for women aged 20–26, with incentives including access to military facilities, ASEP points and preferential hiring for civilian posts in the defence ministry.
Structure and careers
• Establishment of a formal NCO Corps with clearer responsibilities and dedicated leadership.
• Target ratio of one officer per three NCOs (currently 0.8).
• Decoupling of rank from pay; salaries based on years of service.
• Promotions tied to available posts and “objective criteria”.
• NCO schools elevated to higher-education status with the possibility of postgraduate studies.
• NCOs promoted to officers after 14 years via advertised posts and set quotas.
Academic reforms
• Centralised Academic Education Administration covering all military schools.
• Five-year degree cycles, standardised curricula and new specialisations.
• Qualifying exams for entry into ASEI.
The transitional period extends to 2045, with gradual adjustments to rank ceilings and promotion pathways.
Opposition parties argued that the bill violates constitutional guarantees, undermines legitimate expectations of service members and retroactively overturns careers without adequate transitional provisions. The objections of unconstitutionality raised by PASOK and SYRIZA were rejected by the New Democracy majority.
Students and military personnel staged demonstrations outside regional headquarters and New Democracy offices, denouncing the bill as authoritarian, socially regressive and disruptive to both academic and professional life.
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