The government argues that the new provisions concern only those who turn 18 after the bill becomes law. Current students or workers abroad are not affected, and those already residing outside Greece remain under the existing regime. Full implementation will unfold over a transitional period of about fifteen years.
A key pillar of the bill is the tightening of criteria for recognising residents abroad. To be classified as such, individuals will need to have lived outside Greece since at least age 16, with status reviewed every three years.
The bill’s main provisions include the following.
Military service, rank and training
• From 1 January 2026, conscripts will no longer be assigned to the Navy or Air Force.
• All conscripts will serve in the Army, with exceptions for specialised professional roles (engineers, pilots etc.).
• Census at age 17 and invitation to enlist at 18.
• A reduced nine-month term for those who enlist immediately at 18 without deferment.
• Four enlistment intakes per year, ten weeks of basic training, and mandatory placement in high-readiness units.
• Transfers near one’s home permitted only after six months of service.
• A twelve-month term for all, with nine-month service only for: Evros, eastern Aegean islands, Cyprus, Special Forces and the Presidential Guard.
Deferments for studies
New age limits:
• Vocational high schools (EPAL): up to 21.
• Vocational training institutes (SAEK): up to 22.
• Universities: up to 25 (up to 26 for five-year schools, 27 for six-year schools).
• Doctorates: up to 30.
Deferments for medical specialisation, doctoral holders who excel, CERN researchers, and elected candidates are abolished.
Mental health exemptions
The procedure becomes significantly stricter:
• Only NHS doctors may issue opinions.
• Deferments of up to five years with mandatory re-evaluation.
• Final discharge only after assessment by an interdisciplinary committee.
• Annual reviews even for lifelong conditions such as autism spectrum disorders.
Redemption of military service
• Redemption only after age 40 (previously 33).
• Cost increased to €1,500 per month.
• Sanctions for non-compliance lifted until 31 December 2027.
Reserve obligations
• Reserve age extended from 45 to 60.
• Call-ups at least once every three years for active reservists, every five years for conscript reservists.
• Retraining procedures are formalised.
Women’s military service
• Voluntary enlistment, ages 20–26, twelve-month term.
• Incentives include access to military hospitals, clubs and petrol stations, ASEP points, and recognition of service for prior-service benefits.
Career structure and promotions
The bill creates a distinct Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps with its own leadership and responsibilities. It also decouples rank from pay, which will now depend on years of service. Promotions will occur only when positions are vacant, replacing the previous system in which nearly all personnel advanced automatically.
Other changes include:
• Nationalisation of NCO schools and formal academic accreditation.
• Introduction of promotion pathways for NCOs into the officer corps.
• Management allowances ranging from €150–400 and increased responsibility allowances.
• A transition period up to 2045 for restructuring rank progression.
Legal adjustments announced by the Minister of Defence
Nikos Dendias introduced targeted amendments, including changes to crisis-time definitions, adjustments to years required in certain ranks, expanded pathways for NCOs to become officers, updated school classifications, expanded border-area status for Xanthi and Rhodope, and lowering the age limit for registering as a reservist with the National Guard from 45 to 30.
Objections of unconstitutionality
PASOK’s parliamentary spokesperson, Dimitris Mantzos, argued that the bill upends the careers and lives of military personnel without safeguarding legal certainty or legitimate expectations, and violates the principles highlighted in the parliament’s scientific service report. SYRIZA, KKE and the New Left also requested withdrawal; SYRIZA subsequently filed its own objection of unconstitutionality, arguing that several articles violate constitutional principles by retroactively harming career rights and granting excessively broad regulatory powers to the Defence Minister.
Student mobilisations
Student associations are holding demonstrations against the lowering of deferment age limits, arguing that thousands will now be conscripted before finishing their studies. They oppose the abolition of the unified deferment limit of 28 years, the end of deferments for medical specialisation and doctoral work, and the abolition of student leaves during service, which they say will derail academic progress.
Military mobilisations
The Panhellenic Federation of Military Unions (POMENS) organised nationwide protests after constitutional law professor Nikos Alivizatos concluded that several provisions are unconstitutional due to the absence of transitional arrangements and the abrupt freezing of career progression. Military representatives accuse the government of excluding institutional bodies from consultation and degrading service members’ rights.
Conscientious objectors
The Association of Conscientious Objectors states that the bill fails to bring Greece into compliance with international human rights standards regarding conscientious objection. They argue that punitive alternative service, repeated penalties, and inadequate safeguards violate decisions and recommendations from the UN and Council of Europe. They also denounce provisions extending rights deprivation up to age 60 and maintaining discriminatory restrictions on alternative service.
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