The war in Ukraine is progressing without much hope of reaching a ceasefire soon, in light of the disappointing summit that the US President was scheduled to host. Donald TrumpAnd his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putinin Hungary. Trump himself and the Hungarian president Viktor OrbánIt finally revived the option of organizing it during the latter’s visit to the White House last week, but without specifying when or under what circumstances.
Meanwhile, the conflict is reverberating across the rest of the European continent, as Russia escalates tensions and hostilities with Russia. Military maneuvers and hybrid warfare techniquessuch as airspace violations, drone incursions into European airports, or cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. Although the identity of the author of the last two articles has not been proven, Brussels has no doubt that the Kremlin is behind them.
In this context, especially since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, many European countries decided to restore their health Compulsory conscriptionIn addition to building bunkers or instructing residents on how to behave in the event of war.
The last country to act in this regard was Belgium, which began sending it last Friday 149,000 letters mailed to all 17-year-olds To inform them of the possibility of performing voluntary military service for one year in 2026 with a net salary of 2,000 euros per month. Other European countries also created a volunteer army, such as Germany. In the case of people most vulnerable to threat from Russia due to their proximity to the country or those located in areas of historical instability, the service has been mandatory for years.
In the case of Spain, Compulsory military service was abolished in 2001But the government can mobilize young people between the ages of 19 and 25 in the event of a national emergency as compulsory reservists, under the Military Service Law, and voluntary reservists between the ages of 18 and 58. In any case, they must meet certain health requirements.
In general, although the situation in Ukraine has prompted almost all countries to take defense initiatives, there are some countries that have already taken a step forward, namely: In educating the population.
Below are the countries that have done so in recent months and years It intensified its activities to promote Participation of the civilian population in military programmes.
Denmark
Military service was already compulsory before the invasion of Ukraine, but afterward It increased from four to twelve months. In addition, the Danish government has decided that from 2026, women will also have the obligation to provide this service in case there are not enough volunteers.
Latvia
In Latvia, compulsory military service was abolished in 2007; However, the war in Ukraine has set off alarm bells. Last year, the Latvian Parliament approved a plan to restore service Compulsory military service for men aged 18-27 (women voluntarily) from 2024: Service is 12 months in the Land Forces or alternatively in Internal Affairs, Health or Social Welfare structures.
Poland
Although Military service is nominally compulsory in Poland for 19-year-olds Your application has been placed on hold in the employment form. Young people who reach the indicated age must undergo “military training that does not mean direct recruitment, but is a mandatory assessment of physical and mental health, which is completed by assigning each young man to a unit into which they will be integrated in the event of war.”
On the other hand, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamisz announced last week the implementation of a plan to Military training for all Poleswhich will go into effect on November 22, and it includes some 400,000 civilians During the year 2026.
Germany
The parties that make up the government coalition in Germany reached a preliminary agreement last October to include a draft law on forming the government to update Military service, which is now considering the possibility of conscription if there are not enough volunteers, is a lottery element similar to the model already used in Denmark.
Belgium
government Belgium Shipping started last Friday 149,000 letters mailed to all 17-year-olds from the country informing them of the possibility of performing voluntary military service for one year in 2026 with a net salary of 2,000 euros per month. The Belgian management plan, which it presented in February this year, responds to “the need for new employees in the Ministry of Defence,” as confirmed by the government, which explained that “There’s a lot of new equipment arriving” that needs staffing.
Romania
In October, a government was established Romania It was approved to reinstate A military servicewhich will be volunteer To all my citizens Between 18 and 35 years oldwith a period Four months And a total salary of more than 8,300 euros. Since January 1, 2007, compulsory military service no longer exists in Romania.
Croatia
Reclaim Croatia Two months of compulsory service For all citizens in January 2025, after its suspension in 2008.
Other countries where the “military” already exists
Austria
Austria is one of the European countries where military service is still compulsory Men between the ages of 18 and 50, for at least six months. If they choose to undertake alternative community services, the period will be nine months. Women only do this voluntarily.
Norway
Compulsory since 1907. Healthy citizens over the age of 19 – and up to 44 – are required to complete a test. Military service for a period of not less than 12 monthsAccording to the Norwegian Constitution, which included women in military conscription in 2009.
Finland
It shares a border of more than 1,000 kilometers with Russia. Since 1951, All Finnish men aged 18 are required to serve between 5.5 and 12 months in one of the branches of the military Or in the border guards. For their part, women between the ages of 18 and 29 have been able to volunteer for service since 1995 (in 2022, they make up about 19% of full-time military personnel).
Cyprus
Over a period of 14 months, Compulsory military service in this country is provided for men between the ages of 18 and 50 years.although they can already volunteer starting at the age of 17.
Estonia
he Military service between the ages of 18 and 27 has been compulsory for men since 1991. The duration ranges from 8 to 11 months, depending on factors such as your higher education. Women can volunteer, and as of 2018, can serve in any military branch (in 2020, women made up about 10% of the full-time professional military force).
Greece
This is military service It affects 19-year-old males who do not suffer from any serious health problemsAlthough you can request to postpone studying at the university and return immediately upon completion. The duration is approximately one year and the admission deadline is up to 35 years. In 2020, women able to volunteer made up approximately 16% of full-time military personnel.
Lithuania
In 2015, Lithuania reinstated compulsory military service after professionalizing it in 2008. As for men between the ages of 19 and 26 years, they must spend 9 months Fulfillment of this service. Recruitment is done through an automated lottery system. In 2020, in Lithuania, women made up about 12% of full-time military personnel.
Sweden
After abolishing compulsory military service in 2010, Sweden reintroduced it in 2017 to alleviate the shortage of soldiers, until 2,000 positions were filled. The total duration is 11 months with both men and women participating. from As of 2023, women make up more than 20% of military personnel.
Swiss
All Swiss men should come together, at least, 245 days in the armed forces. The compulsory military service age for males is from 18 to 30 years. In total, recruits receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by six intermittent 19-day training retreats over the next 10 years.
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