Greece’s armed forces are set to welcome the first women volunteers signed up for military service, under a new initiative aimed at expanding participation in the country’s defense.
The first female volunteers are expected to report for duty on Thursday as part of the Hellenic Army’s 2026 second conscription intake, which began this week and runs through June 5. The women will undergo training at an army base near the south-central city of Lamia.
Under the program, women aged 20 to 26 who meet military fitness requirements and have no felony convictions are eligible to apply for voluntary service. The duration of service is set at 12 months, mirroring the obligations and conditions that apply to male conscripts.
Female volunteers will also be eligible to participate in selection procedures for reserve officer training under the same criteria applied to men. As with male conscripts, they will have access to military hospital services, receive additional points in certain public-sector hiring procedures and have their period of service recognized as professional experience.
The initiative marks a significant change for Greece’s armed forces, where military service has traditionally been compulsory for men but not for women. The move forms part of a broader effort to strengthen recruitment and address personnel challenges facing the military.
Over the past year, the government has advanced a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the armed forces, improving readiness and enhancing recruitment and retention. The measures have included changes to military career structures, upgrades to training programs and efforts to expand the pool of potential recruits amid demographic pressures and growing security challenges in the wider region.
Ahead of the launch, the Hellenic Army General Staff conducted a public information campaign encouraging women to apply for voluntary military service, describing the program as an opportunity to contribute to national defense while gaining professional and educational benefits.
