Conscription Resurges as Global Tensions Escalate
The debate over compulsory military service has reignited following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's stark warning that World War Three may already be underway. With the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and instability in the Middle East, nations across Europe are reassessing their defense strategies, leading to renewed calls for increased military spending and enhanced national security measures. Zelensky's assertion that Vladimir Putin has effectively "started" a third world war has thrust conscription back into the political spotlight, prompting a closer look at which countries already mandate such service.
European Nations with Active Conscription Laws
Thirteen European countries currently require certain citizens to perform some form of military or civilian service. Latvia, for instance, reinstated conscription in January 2024 after a 16-year hiatus, reflecting a broader trend of bolstering armed forces in response to regional threats. Other nations, including Germany and Italy, are actively considering similar policies to strengthen their military capabilities. Below is a detailed overview of European countries where conscription is enforced.
Finland: A Model of Preparedness
Finland mandates military service for all males, with options for equivalent civilian service. The country, with a population of roughly 5.5 million, maintains an army of 16,000 to 24,000 active personnel, expanding to 280,000 in wartime. Sharing an 833-mile border with Russia, the longest of any NATO country, Finland has long prioritized defense readiness. Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, what was once a traditional rite of passage has become critically urgent. Conscripts typically serve between six and 12 months, while non-military service lasts 347 days.
Austria: Centuries of Continuous Service
Austria has enforced military conscription since the 18th century, requiring all male citizens aged 18 to 25 to serve. Alternatives include civilian service, such as driving ambulances or working in retirement homes. Military service spans six months, whereas civilian service extends to nine months. Women are not obligated but may volunteer.
Cyprus: Geopolitical Necessity
Due to tensions with Turkey and regional instability, Cyprus enforces conscription for eligible male citizens. Men aged 18 or over, including those with one Greek Cypriot parent, must serve 14 months in the National Guard, followed by reserve duty until age 50.
Denmark: Expanding Inclusion
Denmark conscripts men over 18 for four to 12 months of service. Under new plans, women will be required to serve starting in 2026, with the basic service time extending from four to 11 months by the same year.
Estonia: Border Security Focus
Estonia mandates military service for males aged 18 to 27, with civilian options for objectors. Annually, about 3,200 conscripts join the forces in this nation, which shares a 180-mile border with Russia.
Greece: Longstanding Tradition
Conscription has been a core policy in Greece since 1914, requiring men aged 19 to 45 to serve 12 months in the army, navy, or air force. Civilian service lasts 15 months for conscientious objectors.
Latvia: Recent Reinstatement
Latvia reintroduced conscription in January 2024 for men aged 18 to 27, after suspending it in 2007. Conscripts serve at least 11 months in the National Armed Forces or National Guard, with alternatives for religious or ideological objectors.
Lithuania: Voluntary Trends
Lithuanian males aged 18 to 23 are subject to conscription, with up to 4,000 selected yearly via a random system. Since 2015, most have volunteered, and opportunities exist for women and individuals up to age 38.
Moldova: Transitioning System
Moldova enforces mandatory conscription for males over 18, typically for one year, but is shifting toward a professional contracted force.
Norway: Inclusive and Selective
Norway has practiced conscription since 1907, extending it to women in 2015. The system is selective, not requiring all eligible individuals to serve.
Sweden: Gender-Neutral Service
Sweden, like Norway, conscripts both men and women. All 18-year-olds are tested, but not all are called up, with options for alternative civilian service.
Switzerland: Referendum-Backed Requirement
Swiss male citizens must complete military or civilian service from age 20. A 2013 referendum saw 73% vote to retain conscription, with exemptions requiring a 3% income tax surcharge until age 37 for those unfit.
Ukraine: War-Driven Reintroduction
Ukraine reinstated conscription in 2014 after the Donbas war. President Zelensky planned to abolish it in 2022 but reversed course following Russia's invasion. Men over 25 are conscripted, remaining in the active reserve until age 55.
Countries Planning Conscription Reintroduction
Several nations are poised to reintroduce conscription. Croatia will conscript men aged 18 to 30 starting in 2026, after a 17-year break, with streamlined training. Serbia announced its return to compulsory service in November, requiring men to complete 60 days of training and 15 days of exercises. Italy's deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, has proposed universal six-month service for both genders, while Germany's conservative politicians are exploring a potential return to mandatory service, focusing initially on voluntary recruitment but leaving the door open for obligatory measures in the future.
As global tensions persist, the landscape of military conscription in Europe continues to evolve, with nations balancing historical traditions against contemporary security demands. This resurgence underscores a collective move toward enhanced defense preparedness in an increasingly uncertain world.
