In general, nationals of a country who work abroad in the diplomatic or consular services of their country are exempt, under the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations, from social security coverage and contributions under the laws of the host country unless that exemption has been specifically waived.

The Conventions, to which both the United States and Greece are parties, apply to:

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  members of the staff of a diplomatic or consular mission, including the diplomatic, consular, administrative and technical staffs;

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  dependents of members of those staffs;

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  the domestic service staffs of those missions; and

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  the private servants employed by members of such missions (under certain conditions).

The agreement does not affect the coverage of U.S. or Greek Government employees to whom the Vienna Conventions apply. They remain exempt from coverage in the host country.

The agreement establishes the following rules for government employees not covered by the Vienna Conventions:

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  U.S. national employed by the U.S. Government in Greece — U.S. coverage applies (Social Security and/or Federal Pension Program)

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  Greek national employed by the Greek Government in the United States — Greek coverage applies

U.S. citizens employed by foreign governments, RS 01802.050