Greek students are raising concerns over a new law that significantly tightens military service deferments, particularly affecting those pursuing higher education and advanced degrees. The law, presented by the Ministry of National Defense as part of the “Transition of the Armed Forces to the New Era” plan, has already sparked widespread student unrest.
Key Changes to Deferments
Under the new legislation:
- University students can defer service only up to two years beyond their standard study period.
- Doctoral candidates are limited to deferments until the age of 30.
- Students in Higher Vocational Training schools can defer only until the age of 22.
The government argues that these stricter rules are necessary due to rising numbers of health-related exemptions and cases of non-compliance, with over 30,000 medical exemptions and more than 36,000 non-compliant cases reported in the last three years.
Medical Students and Researchers Speak Out
The law has prompted strong opposition from medical students, who warn it could disrupt their specialties and career progression within Greece’s National Health System. The Greek Medical Students’ Association (P.A.S.P.) at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens states that changes could lead to:
- Interruption of medical specialty training upon deferment expiration
- Loss of positions in the National Health System
- Delays in professional development
- The law also reduces deferment options for postgraduate and doctoral studies and eliminates them entirely for PhD holders engaged in international research, potentially increasing brain drain and weakening Greece’s research community.
Broader Military Service Reforms
Beyond deferments, the legislation introduces a comprehensive restructuring of military service, including:
- Four annual enlistment periods (February, May, August, November) initially in the Army, with selected transfers to the Navy and Air Force.
- Extended basic training to 10 weeks, incorporating drones, simulators, first aid, and civil protection skills.
- Four-week specialized training covering 31 military specialties and 21 skills at Lifelong Learning Centers, followed by 12 weeks in high-readiness operational units.
- New options for early enlistment after secondary education and adjusted deployment for nine- or twelve-month service choices.
- Stricter limits on psychiatric and other deferments, with precise timeframes and medical verification.
- Service buyout allowed from age 40 at €1,500 per remaining month of service.
