The Ministry of National Defence is making exceptions to the current legislation concerning military service issues, in order to deal with problems of Greeks abroad that have arisen due to the pandemic.
SYRIZA MP’s submitted questions to Parliament regarding:
- Greek citizens who may be stuck abroad who are unable to return to enlist in early June for their military service
- Citizens from overseas who may risk having to stay past the agreed date
Deputy Minister of National Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis clarified the concerns:
- Draft evaders abroad are permitted with exceptions to enter the country and stay without investigation into their military situation for 30 days consecutively or staggered over one year. The agreement above can be renewed for a total of three months in cases where entry and stay in Greece is required for personal safety reasons due to serious events that occur in their countries of residence.
- Permanent residents living abroad who are at risk of staying in Greece beyond the agreed period of six months per calendar year and losing their permanent resident status abroad according to Article 25 of Law 3421/2005, have been given leniency by postponing enlistment into the armed forces as long as they have permanent residency abroad for at least 11 consecutive years or have worked overseas for seven years consecutively.
- For those residing abroad who are required to enlist in early June 2020, in accordance with the provisions of Article 29 of Law 3421/2005, it is possible to grant a deferral of enlistment to those who, on the date they are required to enlist have family, personal or financial reasons of which their physical presence is required or they have obligations that they must fulfil in the near future.