MILITARY ISSUES – NATIONAL SERVICE

The Greek Consular Authorities have the jurisdiction to certify that Greek male citizens fall into the status of Permanent Residents Abroad.

Law 3421/2005 pertaining to Greek National Service and Military Issues defines the military obligations and rights of Greek nationals and sets the conditions that need to be met for someone to be regarded as Permanent Resident Abroad.

STATUS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT ABROAD

For information and clarification regarding the provisions of the military legal framework, you may visit the official website of the Ministry of National Defence – General Staff – Military Legal Councillors (www.stratologia.gr) which is updated on a daily basis.

In general, in compliance with the Law 3421/2005, Chapter D, Article 25, pertaining to Greek National Service and Military Issues, the status of permanent residents abroad is granted to those who:

A. Reside permanently abroad (in one or more countries) for at least eleven (11) consecutive years
B. Live and work abroad (in one or more countries) for at least seven (7) consecutive years.
C. Those who live and work abroad as fully employed (covering their living expenses) in one or several countries for at least seven years

The status of permanent resident abroad is not granted for life and it can be lifted.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE ISSUE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF PERMANENT RESIDENT ABROAD

A. Those who were born abroad and reside abroad since birth, until the present day, in one or several countries.

The supporting documents required for the issuance of the Certificate of Permanent Resident Abroad are the following:

    1. Application to the Consulate (provided at the Consulate)
    2. Certificate of Registration in a Municipality in Greece (certificate to include Male Registry Number)
    3. All current and expired passports (including Greek, Australian and others).
    4. Statement of International Movement Records (to be obtained by applicant from the Department of Home Affairs (www.immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1359.pdf)

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 above supporting documents, the relevant supporting documents for the parents should also be submitted (proof of residence, proof of employment, bank statements etc.).

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:

    1. Application to the Consulate (provided at the Consulate)
    2. Certificate of Registration in a Municipality in Greece (certificate to include Male Registry Number).
    3. Passport when you first arrived in Australia or other country to prove permanent residency.
    4. All current and expired passports (including Greek, Australian and others).
    5. Statement of International Movement Records (to be obtained by applicant from the Department of Home Affairs (www.immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1359.pdf)

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.

C. Those who live and work abroad 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:

    1. Application to the Consulate (provided at the Consulate)
    2. Certificate of Registration in a Municipality in Greece (certificate to include Male Registry Number).
    3. Passport when you first arrived in Australia or other country to prove permanent residency.
    4. All current and expired passports (including Greek, Australian and others).
    5. Statement of International Movement Records (to be obtained by applicant from the Department of Home Affairs (www.immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1359.pdf).
    6. Employers’ certificates, pay slips, bank statements (monthly), utility bills, any other documents proving continuous residence abroad for these eleven consecutive years.

In the case were the applicant is self-employed, he needs to provide:

    1. Company or Business Registration Certificate,
    2. Accountant’s letter
    3. Income Tax Assessment forms for the seven-year period.

NOTE: If the applicant during the above period was also a resident in other countries (other than Australia), he should submit Certificates of Permanent Residency in those countries, issued by the relevant Greek Consular Authorities.

MILITARY EXEMPTION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS ABROAD

  1. You need to provide to the Consulate the above mentioned documents (depending on the category you fall into), so that a Permanent Residence Certificate is issued.
  2. The Permanent Residence Certificate, accompanied by the relevant Application for Military Exemption (prepared by the Consulate), will then be sent to your Military Office by the Consulate.
  3. If you wish to have the Military Exemption lifted so that you can serve in the Army, you will have to request the lift (by Application prepared by the Consulate to the relevant Military Office) and have an updated Permanent Resident Certificate issued by the Consulate (based on the above mentioned documents).

NOTE: Residence in Greece for more than 6 months in a calendar year (January to December), cannot be included in the Permanent Residence Certificate.

MILITARY EXEMPTION ON EDUCATIONAL GROUNDS

In compliance with the Law 3421/2005, Chapter D, Articles 18 – 20, pertaining to Greek National Service and Military Issues, a Military Exemption based on Educational Grounds can be applied for at the Consulate.

The supporting documents required for the issuance of the relevant Certificate by the Consulate for the above Military Exemption are the following:

  1. Application to the relevant Military Office (provided by the Consulate)
  2. Certificate of Registration in a Municipality in Greece (certificate to include Male Registry Number).
  3. A Certificate of Enrolment from the competent educational institution (University, TAFE College, etc) stating details of the student, course undertaken, commencement date of course and proposed completion date of course, is required. This Certificate must to be legalized with the Apostille Seal from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (www.dfat.gov.au).
  4. Statutory Declaration by the applicant (prepared by the Consulate) stating the course of studies undertaken and the language the course is being taught in.

N.B. The Military Exemption Certificate is also a requirement for males under the age of 45 years old who wish to apply for their Greek passport.

For more information on National Service matters, visit the website www.stratologia.gr