1. Introduction

This publication contains general information about Greek laws and regulations concerning conscription, military obligations and related privileges of interest ot American man of Greek extraction.

Greek males between the ages of 20 and 50 are required by Greek law to perform military service.  This applies to any individual whom the Greek authorities consider to be Greek, regardless of whether or not the individual considers himself Greek, has a foreign citizenship and passport, or was born or lives outside of Greece.  The US Embassy cannot intercede with the Greek recruitment authorities on behalf on individuals in Greece who are considered Greeks.

Generally, obligatory non voluntary military service in Greece will not affect US citizenship.  Specific questions on this subject should be addressed to the US Embassy in Athens.

Please note, ONLY the Greek recruiting authorities have the right to decide, on a case-by-case basis, the eligibility of and individual to settle his military obligations in a method other than the full 24-month military service.

The American Embassy in Athens recommends that before traveling to Greece, American men of Greek extraction who may have pending military obligations discuss their case with the Greek consulate in the area of their residence or that they apply through relatives in Greece to the appropriate recruiting office (Stratologiko Grafeio) for clarification of their status.

The Embassy also recommends that prior to arriving in Greece, American males of Greek extraction to whom any of the above applies seek a statement from the appropriate Greek Consulate outlining their residency status abroad in connection with the new Greek Daft Law, so that they may avoid difficulties while visiting Greece.

DISCLAIMER:  Nothing in this [web page] should be construed as the legal opinion of the Embassy.  This handout is merely an information sheet to assist American citizens and is based on the Embassy's understanding of the ever-changing Greek Regulations.  For official and authoritative information, please consult the Greek recruiting authorities.
 

A new Greek Draft Law (2510/97) entitled "The Recruiting of Greek Citizens" went into effect on June 27, 1997.

The new law revises the length of service with the Greek military for various categories of individuals who wish to settle their obligations and remain i greece for longer periods of time.

The following two categories of men enjoy certain privileges under Greek law relating to entry, stay, and departure form Greece, and length of military service  In the rest of this publication, individuals in either category will be referred to as "foreign residents".
 
 
 

1)    Persons who established a permanent residence outside of Greece before January 1 of the year of their 10th birthday.*  Visits to Greece for a period or periods not exceeding a total of six months in the same calendar year are not considered to constitute a break of their continuos residence abroad.  This status is also not affected by staying in Greece studies (if one's parents live outside Greece), unless the studies exceed a duration of 12 years.

2)    For those persons who acquired the status of the Emigrant, in accordance with the procedures previously in effect, no later than one day prior to the effective date of the new law, it's provisions pertaining to Permanent Residents of other countries apply (article 28, paragraph 6, effective date September 1, 1997).

NOTE:  The "foreign residents" referred to in each of the above categories will be recognized as such in Greece only with a "certificate of permanent residence abroad" issued by the Greek consulate having jurisdiction over the person's foreign residence.  Information as to which documents must be presented to obtain this certificate should be obtained directly from the Greek consulate.
 
 
      

Foreign residents (as defined above) may remain in Greece without incurring any military obligations for a cumulative period of six months within any calendar year.  As long as one leaves the country before this period has passed, one's exemption from the military service and right to leave Greece will not be questioned provided one has not been classified as a draft delinquent by the Greek recruitment authorities and, if in Greece more than three months with a foreign passport, one possesses a residence permit (Adhia Paramonis).

It should be noted that all persons who enter Greece with U.S. passports must obtain a residence permit (Adhia Paramonis) from the Greek authorities if they wish to stay in Greece for more that three months.  Such residence permits will not be issued to men of Greek extraction if they do not possess the Greek consular certificate.  A person who is unable to produce the Greek consular permit will enjoy a period of only three months from the date of arrival without having his status questioned.  If he is able to produce the Greek consular certificate, he  can apply for the residence permit (Adhia Paramonis) and can then stay up to the cumulative six-month period with no questioning of his military exemption status.

Note:  Individuals who qualify as foreign residents can stay in Greece up to 12 months without incurring any military obligation in Greece.  Those individuals may exercise that privilege provided they present to the Aliens Police a document form the appropriate recruiting  office confirming the following:
 

                              (a)  the individual's status as a foreign resident, and

                              (b)  the individual's right to remain in Greece up to 12 months
                                    without incurring  any military obligation.
 

Failure to produce this document will limit ones obligation-free stay to the current six-month period applicable to such foreign residents.
 
 
 

IV.  Settlement of Military Obligations

Foreign residents who wish to prolong their stay in Greece beyond a cumulative period of six months in any calendar year are advised to make arrangements with the recruiting authorities to settle their military obligations before that period has expired.  The following three options are alternatives to serving the full 24-month period.  [Some individuals may have more than one option available to them. In such cases they may indicate to the recruitment authorities the option they prefer, bearing in mind that each option has its own separate requirements and regulations, which should not be confused with those of the other available option(s) ]

B.  Reduced Service Obligation for All Foreign Residents

According to the new law, the military service liability for Foreign Residents (as defined above) is six months, subject to the concurrence of the appropriate Greek recruiting authorities upon presentation of the Greek consular certificate.  Those wishing to enjoy this reduced length of service must register and make arrangements with the appropriate Greek recruiting office before a cumulative stay in Greece of more than six months in a calendar year.

C.  Special provisions for settlement of military service obligations for other categories of individuals liable for military service.
 

Persons belonging to the following military age groups may settle financially the remainder of their military service obligation, if they have enlisted or will enlist in the Armed Forces and fulfill the following length of military service:
 
 
 

Note:  the above periods of military service can be further reduced, if other favorable provisions of the law are applicable the individual concerned at the same time.
 

Special arrangements for persons classified as DRAFT EVADERS:

1.  Individuals belonging to the above military age groups who have been classified as draft evaders and continue being identified as such on the effective date of the new law, they can have their draft evasion status regularized, if they have enlisted or will enlist in the Armed Forced.  Settlement of their military obligations is accomplished in the same manner outlined above.
 

2.  Persons belonging to military age groups of 1988 and subsequent (born in years 1967 and subsequent) who have been classified as draft evaders and continue being identified as such on the effective date of the new law, they can have their draft evasion status regularize if they have enlisted or will enlist in the Armed Forces NO LATER than November 30, 1998.  Individuals in this category are liable for a full military service obligation unless other favorable provisions are applicable to their case.

NOTE:  Detailed information concerning settlement of military obligations by draft evaders can be obtained from the nearest Greek Diplomatic or Consular authority or the appropriate recruiting authorities in Greece.

D.  Recognition of Active Duty Service n Regular Armed Forces of Allied Countries:

Upon application, individuals who have completed a minimum of three months of active duty service in regular units of the armed forces of any country allied to Greece, including the United States, can have such service credited on a month-by-month basis  against the mandatory twenty-four months of active duty.  The remaining period of time can be settles financially at the rate prescribed by he Greek Draft Law at the time of settlement.

Supporting Documents Required in Applying for Service Credit in the United States Armed Forces

In seeking credit in Greece for service in the United States armed forces, the applicant must present the following documents to the recruiting office (Stratologiko Grafeio) having jurisdiction over his case:

(a)  The original of the United States Department of Defense Form DD-214 "Report of Transfer, Discharge, or Certification" (blocks 1 through 30), issued by the appropriate military agency in the United States, accompanied by an official Greek translation, showing the active service performed in regular units of the United States armed forces and the dates of enlistment and discharge.  A photocopy of the above documents will be accepted in lieu of the original if certified by a Greek consular office abroad, and attorney or licensed translator in Greece, or by the Translation Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens.

(b)  A Statement of Responsibility (Ypefthinos Dhelosis) executed by the applicant before any administrative, military, municipal, communal or consular official of the Greek state, who will certify the authenticity of the applicant's signature.  The statement must contain the individual's personal and conscription data,  i.e., his Greek name in full, or community where he is registered in the Records of Males (Mitroa Arrenon), the place of his residence, his exact address abroad, and a history of his United States military service (including the names of the units in which he served, the length of service in each, the places where he was stationed, and any promotions and award received).

(c)  A statement issued by he mayor of the Greek town or by the President of the Community where the applicant is registered in the Records of Males, and countersigned by the parish priest of the community, certifying that the person whose name appears on the Greek translation of the American military document, and who has served in the United States armed forces as stated in the translation of the American military document, is one and the same person as the individual registered in the Records of Males of that town or community.

The documents described above, together with the individual's application for credit of service in the United States armed forces, should be submitted to the recruiting office where the person is registered.  (If he is not already registered, he must do so.)

American Embassy
Athens, Greece
July 1997