London, December 09, 2025
Europe has seen a significant resurgence in mandatory military service in 2025, with several countries reinstating or strengthening conscription programs to address rising geopolitical tensions and security concerns following Russia’s military actions since 2014. This trend affects nations across the European Union and neighboring states, with both men and women increasingly subject to conscription policies.
Countries with Mandatory Military Service
Several European countries maintain or have recently reinstated compulsory military service for men, with some extending conscription to women as part of broader defense strategies. Croatia will reintroduce mandatory service starting in 2026, joining approximately nine EU states enforcing a draft system. Denmark expanded its conscription policy in 2026 to include women and increased the service duration to eleven months. Sweden reinstated conscription in 2017 and mandates that both men and women serve under equal terms. Norway also reflects this inclusive conscription model since 2015.
Finland continues its policy of compulsory service for men, ranging from six to twelve months, with women permitted to serve voluntarily; the country notably adjusted its reserve force age limits following its 2023 accession to NATO. Similarly, Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, and Switzerland maintain mandatory service primarily for men, though some allow voluntary female enlistment.
Poland’s approach includes de jure conscription, but effective practices emphasize voluntary short basic training supplemented by extended specialized options. Latvia reinstated conscription for men in 2024, with voluntary female enlistment encouraged.
Voluntary Military Service and Emerging Programs
A number of European countries have abandoned conscription but are now focusing on voluntary military service to bolster their defenses. Germany suspended conscription in 2011 but has intensified voluntary recruitment efforts since 2026, requiring men to undergo medical examinations and questionnaires, with contingency plans for reintroducing mandatory service should volunteer numbers prove insufficient.
France launched a new ten-month voluntary service in 2026, replacing previous civic programs, signaling a shift to structured voluntary participation. Belgium and the Netherlands operate voluntary recruitment frameworks, with Belgium targeting 1,000 volunteers annually amid ongoing discussions about conscription. Bulgaria and Romania have also initiated or planned short voluntary military training schemes.
Geopolitical Drivers and Regional Context
The reinvigoration of conscription policies in Europe is directly linked to heightened security challenges arising from Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These developments have prompted countries to reassess national defense capabilities, leading to legislative and operational changes in conscription systems across the continent.
Countries that fully phased out conscription in previous decades—including Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Portugal—continue to rely on professional volunteer forces rather than mandatory service.
This renewed emphasis on conscription, whether mandatory or voluntary, underscores a strategic recalibration by European governments aiming to enhance military readiness and resilience amid uncertain regional security dynamics.
With conscription reforms expanding to include women in certain nations and newly introduced voluntary service programs, Europe faces significant implications for national security policies as well as demographic and social considerations. The evolving landscape of military service policy reflects broader efforts to adapt to contemporary threats while maintaining effective defense infrastructures.