Which European countries implement compulsory or voluntary military service?

Some of Europe’s largest NATO members are strengthening their professional militaries through voluntary national service programmes.

Large-scale conscripted armies were a feature of NATO countries during the Cold War, but they gradually shrank in size after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

However, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing war there have trigger fear Russia may launch an attack on NATO in the future.

Here’s a look at how this new recruitment campaign is playing out among NATO’s 30 European member states, many of which still have conscripts.

Nine European NATO countries have implemented military conscription: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Türkiye.

Türkiye has the second-largest military in the security alliance after the United States, and men aged 20 to 41 must serve in the military for six to 12 months.

In contrast, Norway conscripts both men and women into the army, with a general conscription period of 12 months.

Croatia Conscription is planned to be re-introduced next year – men aged 19 to 29 will be required to undergo two months of basic military training.

Other NATO members do not have conscription but have professional militaries.

this U.K.Its conventional military strength is comparable to that of France or Germany (and it is the only NATO country in Europe to share France’s nuclear weapons) and relies on a professional military.

This is a unique practice among NATO member states in recruiting minors – 16-year-olds can join with parental consent.

Albania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Slovakia, slovenia and Spain There are also professional armies.

Iceland It has no regular army, but its coast guard performs some defensive duties.

Just this month, BelgiumThe Ministry of Defense sent a letter to 17-year-olds inviting them to volunteer for a fee of approximately 2,000 euros per month.

The voluntary military service scheme will be launched next year and aims to increase the number of army reservists from about 6,000 to 20,000.

neighbor of belgium, NetherlandsLaunch voluntary military service in 2023 to strengthen its professional armed forces.

Poland, Has one of the largest armies in NATO One-month voluntary basic military training will be launched in 2024. This year, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to roll out “massive military training for every adult male” in the country.

“We are talking about the need for Poland to have an army of half a million men, including reservists,” he said.

2020, Bulgaria introduce six-month voluntary military service for citizens under 40 years of age, and Romania It is planned to implement four months of voluntary military service next year.

Germany ended compulsory military service in 2011.

Its parliament has now voted in favor of introducing military service on a voluntary basis. If the security situation deteriorates or there are too few volunteers, some form of compulsory military service could be considered.

The new law will require all 18-year-old males to fill in a questionnaire asking if they are willing and able to join the armed forces and undergo a medical examination to determine their suitability from July 2027.

If war breaks out, the military will be able to use questionnaires and physical exams to recruit potential recruits.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he wanted to create “the most powerful conventional army in Europe.”

The plan is to expand the armed forces from the current 183,000 active-duty troops to 260,000 by 2035, plus 200,000 reservists.

On December 5, students in about 90 cities across the country participated in school strikes to protest the move, with some students chanting “Don’t be cannon fodder.”

A recent German poll conducted by Forsa for Stern magazine showed that while just over half of respondents supported compulsory military service, opposition rose to 63% among those aged 18 to 29.

France abolished conscription 25 years ago and currently has about 200,000 military personnel and 47,000 reservists.

A new plan envisions adding volunteers to the structure.

Young men and women will be invited to participate in paid military training for 10 months.

The new “national service” will be introduced gradually from next summer, mainly for 18 and 19-year-olds, who will receive at least 800 euros (£700) a month.

Initially, the number will be limited to 3,000 next year, but this should increase to 50,000 by 2035.

“The only way to avoid danger is to be prepared,” President Emmanuel Macron said when announcing the plan. “We need to mobilize, mobilize the entire country to defend ourselves, to be prepared and to remain respected.”

Opinion polls show that the public overwhelmingly supports voluntary military service. An Elabe survey found 73% support for the measure. Support is lowest among young people aged 25-34, but even in this age group 60% support it.

Other European countries took various approaches to deploying their armies.

Among EU countries not part of NATO:

• Austria A compulsory military service system is implemented for men aged 18 to 35. They must serve for about six months or participate in alternative service. Women can voluntarily serve

• Cyprus All male citizens over the age of 18, as well as some citizens of Cypriot origin, are required to perform compulsory military service. Women can voluntarily enlist in the army after parliament passed a law in April

• both republic of ireland and malta Have a professional army

exist SwitzerlandIn non-EU countries, male citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 are required to perform military service, or participate in civil defense or alternative civilian service.

Last week, Swiss voters broadly rejected a proposal to extend national service – in the army, Civilian Protection Corps or other forms – to women.