A housing program providing 1,000 homes in 2026 and an additional 4,000 by 2030 for Armed Forces personnel has been announced, along with detailed examples of salary increases.

A series of measures aimed at strengthening Armed Forces personnel, alongside salary increases set to begin on April 1st, was announced today by Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias.

Specifically, Mr. Dendias announced salary increases ranging from 13% to 20%, while additional initiatives will be implemented, such as an intensive housing program that includes the construction of new residences. The plan foresees the delivery of 1,000 homes in 2026 and another 4,000 by 2030, with already allocated funds. After 2030, 1,000 homes will be delivered to military personnel annually. These additional measures aim to make both recruitment and retention in the military more attractive, as military academies have been losing popularity among university entrance candidates in recent years, and there has been an increase in withdrawals from both cadets and personnel.

The salary increases will start on April 1st and will be fully implemented by October 1st, 2025, depending on rank and level of responsibility.

Examples of Salary Increases:

• A Second Lieutenant from the Hellenic Army Academy (ASEI) will receive an annual salary increase of €3,540 in their first year after graduation.
• A Lieutenant Commander from the Hellenic Naval Academy (ASEI) with 18 years of service will receive an annual salary increase of €5,532.
• A Sergeant from the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Academy (ASSY) will receive an annual salary increase of €2,760.
• A Corporal (EPOP) with only three years of service will receive an annual salary increase of €2,232.

Additionally, the Minister of Defense noted that, beyond these increases, as of January 1st, salaries for cadets in Higher Military Schools (ASEI) have quadrupled, while those in Non-Commissioned Officer Schools (ASSY) have doubled.

From June 2024, special allowances have also been introduced, including:

• A special allowance for Navy ship crews (€24 million).
• A special allowance for personnel involved in special missions (€16 million).
• The government is also considering increasing the income of civilian personnel.

Who Qualifies for Housing – 6,000 New Homes

As part of the “Agenda 2030” program, a comprehensive set of personnel-focused initiatives is being introduced, with housing as a priority.

The housing program applies to all personnel, along with their families, who are transferred by order of the Service to remote areas.

Currently, the construction of the first 1,000 homes in the Aegean islands and Thrace is underway, with completion scheduled for 2026.

In addition, the construction of 4,000 more homes by 2030 is planned with already allocated funds. Beyond 2030, 1,000 homes will be built annually.

Healthcare and Education

Additional benefits include expanded healthcare services for active personnel and retirees.

New facilities will be established, including:

• A Center for Special Developmental Care for Children.
• A Daily Living Shelter for Individuals with Disabilities.
• A Care Unit for the Elderly.

The relevant legislative proposal is currently under consultation and will be submitted to Parliament next week.

Education will also be upgraded through modernization projects for military school infrastructure and equipment, as well as new institutional measures that offer cadets and personnel significantly expanded opportunities for research and specialization.