The Armed Forces and Security Forces are preparing for the largest salary increases in decades. More than 150,000 personnel will see their wages rise significantly with the implementation of new pay scales starting in October. According to government sources, the increase corresponds to 1.5 to 2 additional monthly salaries annually.
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New pay scales for Armed Forces and Security Forces
The implementation of the reformed special pay scales begins next month, bringing substantial improvements to uniformed personnel wages. Armed Forces personnel will receive an average of 145 euros extra per month, while Security Forces, including Police, Fire Service, and Coast Guard, will see a monthly increase of 111 euros.
Tax cuts from January
The tax reform announced at the Thessaloniki International Fair comes into effect in January. Income tax rates are reduced by two percentage points across three brackets, benefiting middle-class employees and pensioners.
The new rates are as follows:
• Income 10,000 to 20,000 euros: reduction from 22% to 20%
• Income 20,000 to 30,000 euros: reduction from 28% to 26%
• Income 30,000 to 40,000 euros: reduction from 36% to 34%
Young workers will be particularly favored. Those up to 25 years old are completely exempt from tax on income up to 20,000 euros, while the age group up to 30 years will be taxed at just 9% for the same bracket.
Specific examples of increases
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis presented characteristic examples of the benefits for Armed Forces and Security Forces.
- A Second Lieutenant, first rank graduate of the Military Academy up to 25 years old, will see net wages increase from 1,151 euros to 1,352 euros monthly, gaining an additional 201 euros.
- For the 26 to 30 age group, the increase will be 196 euros monthly, from 1,199 to 1,395 euros.
- In Security Forces, a newly appointed 22-year-old Senior Guard will see salary increase from 947 euros to 1,040 euros in January, gaining an additional 93 euros monthly.
Additional increases in April
The fourth increase for uniformed personnel in nine months is scheduled for April. The increase will be linked to the regular minimum wage increase, which now covers the public sector as well.
This marks the sixth increase in basic wages since 2019, which will positively affect both related allowances and the three-year increments that have now been activated.
