New salary increases are expected for personnel of the Greek Armed Forces with the completion of the salary reform announced earlier this year by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias. The process is expected to be completed on October 1, 2025, and represents the most extensive change in recent decades.
Defense Ministry: Up to 20% increases in Armed Forces – Three implementation phases
According to reporting by Dimitris Andriopoulos in the “Apogevmatini” newspaper, the government chose gradual implementation in three phases to limit fiscal pressure: it started on April 1, 2025, with a €30 increase to all basic salaries, followed by the second phase from July 1, 2025, with allowance revisions (with the “special conditions allowance” being converted to “special conditions and hazard allowance,” increased by €100 gross), and in a few months the main phase will be implemented, with increases of 13%-20% depending on rank and position.
Indeed, the gradual implementation of increases allows for smooth adjustment of the state budget and is expected to significantly strengthen personnel income, ensuring better conditions for their service and daily life.
Who receives emphasis
Special emphasis is given to young officers, NCOs, and EPOP, as the maximum increase rate of 20% mainly concerns the first scales. A significant addition is the new responsibility position allowance, which for the first time institutionally recognizes the importance of command and increased duties. The allowance starts from €100 for junior officers with administrative duties and reaches up to €300 for higher ranks.
Another significant change is the disconnection of salary from rank: from now on, salary progression will take into account not only rank, but also years of service, service conditions, and position of responsibility.
Changes through examples
The picture of changes in the new Armed Forces salary scale is illustrated through six specific examples announced by the Ministry of National Defense, comparing salaries from October 2025 with March 2025:
1. Second Lieutenant from ASEI, after graduation, currently receives €1,485 gross salary, while with the new salary scale will reach €1,780 (increase of €295 monthly, approximately 20%, i.e., €3,540 annually).
2. Commander from ASEI, 18 years after graduation, receives €2,319, while with the new salary scale will reach €2,780 (increase of €461 monthly, approximately 20%, i.e., €5,532 annually).
3. Squadron Leader from ASSY, after graduation, receives €1,170, while with the new salary scale will reach €1,400 (increase of €230 monthly, approximately 20%, i.e., €2,760 annually).
4. Warrant Officer from ASSY, 16 years after graduation, receives €1,775, while with the new salary scale will reach €2,041 (increase of €266 monthly, approximately 15%, i.e., €3,192 annually).
5. EPOP Sergeant with 3 years of service, receives €1,214, while with the new salary scale will reach €1,400 (increase of €186 monthly, approximately 15%, i.e., €2,232 annually).
6. EPOP Corporal with 13 years of service, receives €1,424, while with the new salary scale will reach €1,650 (increase of €226 monthly, approximately 16%, i.e., €2,712 annually).
The referenced increases are indicative and do not include marriage, children, border, and special conditions allowances, which will proportionally increase total income.
