The discussion of compulsory military service has been rekindled after the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky suggested World War Three has already begun.
The Ukraine-Russia war and the continuing instability within the Middle East have renewed calls for increased defence spending and measures to enhance national security in recent months.
But Zelensky’s statement, suggesting that Vladimir Putin has already ‘began’ the third world war, has brought the subject back into the fold.
Several European states have already got existing laws mandating military conscription, with 13 countries requiring certain residents to do some type of service.
Latvia recently reintroduced conscription in January 2024 – greater than 16 years after it dropped the measure in 2007.
Other countries, equivalent to Germany and Italy, are considering adopting policies to spice up their armed forces.
These are the European countries where residents are expected to serve.
Finland
Like many other Scandinavian countries, Finland conscripts all males for military service or equivalent civilian service.
It’s home to roughly 5,500,000 people and boasts a military with around 16,000 to 24,000 energetic personnel and as much as 280,000 soldiers in wartime.
Last September, Metro went to a Finnish army base to talk to young conscripts who prepare for war.
It shares the longest land border with Russia of any NATO country, stretching 833 miles.
While the country never stopped preparing for a possible conflict after the Second World War, what was once considered a rite of passage to examine off a to-do list for a lot of young Finns has now change into much more crucial after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Depending on their role, most military conscripts serve between six and 12 months. Non-military service has a hard and fast length of 347 days.
Austria
Austria has mandated military service constantly because the 18th century.
All male residents aged 18 to 25 are required to serve within the armed forces, or in the event that they prefer, perform civilian service.
The military service lasts six months, while the choice, which incorporates driving ambulances and dealing in retirement homes, is for nine months.
Women usually are not obliged to do service but may enter voluntarily.
Cyprus
On account of its precarious political relationship with neighbouring Turkey and the broader Middle East, Cyprus enforces conscription for eligible male residents.
Men, including those born to only one Greek Cypriot parent, aged 18 or over, must serve 14 months within the Cypriot National Guard.
They’re then transitioned to the country’s reserve forces, where they proceed to serve until they reach 50.
Denmark
Men over 18 are conscripted for between 4 and 12 months of military service in Denmark.
Women are currently exempt from the duty, but shall be required to finish service from 2026, under latest plans announced last 12 months.
The Danish government has also indicated it should extend the fundamental service time from 4 to 11 months by 2026.
Estonia
Estonia currently requires all males aged between 18 and 27 to perform military service.
Those with ideological or religious objections may complete civilian national service as a substitute.
Around 3,200 conscripts enter the forces yearly within the eastern European nation, which shares a 180-mile border with Russia.
Greece
Conscription has been a core policy of Greece since 1914, with all men aged 19 to 45 required to do service.
Male residents serve 12 months in either the military, navy or air force.
Conscientious objectors may as a substitute perform 15 months of civilian service.
Latvia
One other country bordering Russia, Latvia, reinstated compulsory military service for all men aged 18 to 27 in January 2024, having previously suspended it.
Conscripts must serve a minimum of 11 months within the National Armed Forces or National Guard.
The law allows for many who oppose service for religious or ideological reasons to serve for 11 months in one in all the areas of the Ministry of Defence.
Lithuania
Lithuanian males are subject to conscription between the ages of 18 and 23.
As much as 4,000 conscripts are chosen yearly via a random system, although most young people have signed up voluntarily because the scheme was introduced in 2015.
There are also military volunteering opportunities for each women and people as much as the age of 38.
Moldova
Moldova maintains mandatory conscription for males aged 18 and above.
Conscripts typically serve a 12 months.
However the country is transitioning from a system of compulsory military service to professionally contracted armed forces.
Norway
Since 1907, Norway has formally had a policy of conscription, with the duty extending to women as of 2015.
Enforcement of compulsory military service was practised loosely, with the system highly selective and never all those eligible are called up.
Sweden
Alongside neighbouring Norway, Sweden is one in all just two European countries that practice conscription for each men and girls.
Like Norway, all 18-year-olds are tested, but not all are required to do service.
Conscientious objectors have the fitting to use for alternative service after which change into a part of the civilian reserve.
Switzerland
Swiss male residents must complete either mandatory military service from the age of 20 or civilian service.
In a referendum held in 2013 to abolish the practice, 73 per cent voted to retain the compulsory service requirement.
Those deemed unfit for service are exempt but must pay an extra three per cent of annual income tax until the age of 37, unless they’re affected by a disability.
Ukraine
Conscription was reintroduced in Ukraine in 2014 following the war in Donbas.
Current president Volodymyr Zelenskyy had originally planned to abolish mandatory service in January 2022, but was forced to vary course following the Russian invasion a month later.
Men over 25 are conscripted into the forces and remain within the energetic reserve until 55.
Which countries are planning to introduce conscription?
In Croatia, men aged 18 to 30 shall be conscripted from 2026.
The country reintroduced the policy after a 17-year hiatus, with training expected to be shortened and focused on core military skills.
Serbia’s government announced at the tip of last 12 months that it might reinstate compulsory military service from November.
Serbian men shall be required to finish compulsory military service consisting of 60 days of coaching and 15 days of exercises.
Other countries have announced proposals to reintroduce conscription but have yet to implement them.
Italy’s deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, proposed universal military service for six months for each men and girls.
In Germany, conservative-leaning politicians have also eyed a return to mandatory service.
Politico reported that the present drive would deal with increasing voluntary recruitments but leave the door open to a possible obligatory requirement in the longer term.
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