Clarifications regarding the “repeated inaccuracies” related to the New Pay Scale for the Armed Forces are being provided by sources from the Ministry of National Defense. Specifically, Defense Ministry sources point out that although claims initially regarding “salary cuts for certain categories of personnel”, subsequently “pension and lump sum reductions”, and later “future reductions from personal difference” have been proven completely inaccurate, some continue to reproduce outdated arguments about alleged “deception” of personnel from the data that the Defense Ministry has presented.
Defense Ministry Sources: Significant increases for all and no “hidden” reductions
The sources continue that the following facts are indisputable:
- Every service member will receive significantly higher salary from 27/1/2026 (retroactively from 1/10/2025). The February Pay Sheets that were sent demonstrated this with absolute clarity.
- All personnel receive average increases of 12-24% compared to last March. Obviously, the comparison concerns the total increases being granted.
- All personnel will receive higher compensation until the last day of active service in the Armed Forces (annually and cumulatively). The projection that proves this obviously concerns gross compensation, since withholding and taxation rates are individualized, while a significant portion of them operates on a reciprocal basis.
Indicative example for the 2010 cohort:
- An ASEI 2010 will receive a total of 600,242 euros instead of 521,054 (+79,188 euros) in gross compensation for the remaining 16 years of service, an increase of 15.20% (without allowances)
- An ASSY 2010 will receive a total of 567,303 euros instead of 471,066 (+96,237) in gross compensation for the remaining 18 years of service, an increase of 20.43% (without allowances)
- An EPOP 2010 will receive a total of 507,525 euros instead of 454,004 (+53,521 euros) in gross compensation for the remaining 20 years of service, an increase of 11.80% (without allowances)
- With the New Pay Scale, every service member will receive higher pension, as any increase in regular compensation positively affects pension benefits.
- Additionally, every service member will receive larger lump sum payments, since higher pay scale means proportionally higher lump sum, especially for cases in the former non-commissioned officer category who will receive the highest pay scales (of Colonel) for all remaining years of the transitional period.
- No future “hidden” reduction exists in personnel salaries through Personal Difference, as this does not exist in their pay scale. This was proven by the issuance of the February Pay Sheets.
- The new Pay Scale is fairer. It rewards increased responsibilities and the particularities of service conditions. The Position of Responsibility Allowance is increased and a new Command Allowance is established, which will be received by approximately 3,000 Officers and Non-commissioned Officers.
Characteristic examples:
- Lieutenant Commander, with 23 years of service, Married – 2 children will receive an 18.8% increase in net compensation (from €1,913 to €2,273). As Frigate Captain will receive a 52.3% increase (€2,913, +€1,000).
- Major, with 17 years of service, Married – 2 children will receive a 19.2% increase in net compensation (from €1,671 to €1,992). As Subunit Commander in border area will receive a 24.4% increase (€2,180, +€509)
- Division Administration Staff Sergeant, with 14 years of service, Married – 1 child, will receive a 22.3% increase in net compensation (from €1,326 to €1,621)
- Petty Officer, with 1 year of service, Single, Gunboat Crew, will receive a 67.8% increase in net compensation (from €901 to €1,512)
- Seaman, 7 years of service, Frigate Crew, will receive a 51.4% increase in net compensation (from €952 to €1,441)
