Military & National Service in Greece

If you are a man aged 19 to 45, Greek citizenship makes you liable for military service. Living abroad, get a Certificate of Permanent Resident Abroad from the Greek consulate before you travel to Greece.

The duty follows the nationality: a man just registered as Greek by descent who has never lived in Greece is liable like anyone else. Registration in the municipal register is what brings you to the recruitment authorities' attention.

Broadly, the certificate is available after eleven years' continuous residence abroad, or seven years' continuous work abroad. It defers service for as long as you stay resident abroad, and liability ends at 45. Keep it current as the consulate requires.

Unresolved military obligations block other things: under article 16 of the Citizenship Code, a man who has not met them will not be given permission to renounce Greek nationality.

Reduced service exists for expatriates who choose to serve; the consulate can tell you the current terms for your age.

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