The Return of Conscription to Europe

Intro:

Geopolitical instability and an uncertain security landscape have forced Europe to reevaluate its defence policy, with conscription returning to the political agenda. From renewed debates in Germany to concrete policy developments in Croatia, states that once abolished mandatory military service are now reconsidering its viability in today’s society.

The increasing number of states exploring the possibility of conscription reflects the growing European concern regarding manpower shortages, military readiness and the long-term implications of war on the continent. Not all governments are considering conscription, and those that are, are doing so at different paces. Nevertheless, conscription, once thought of as outdated, is now being re-evaluated. 

Germany:  

In Germany, the idea of conscription is particularly sensitive, as it carries both political and historical weight. Therefore, when the German Defence Ministry announced that "German males under 45 may need military approval for long stays abroad," it was no surprise that there was widespread pushback across the country. After 55 years, German conscription ended in 2011, in an effort to modernise the armed forces, the Bundeswehr. However, the model of a fully professional army in Germany is under pressure. 

The Military Service Modernisation Act took effect on January 1, 2026. The bill seeks to develop Germany’s military capabilities, which include the requirement for German males aged 17 - 45 to obtain permission to leave Germany for more than three months. Initially, the new law largely went unnoticed, until the ‘Frankfurter Rundschau’ newspaper reported on it earlier this week. 

While the new law itself doesn’t explicitly refer to conscription, it does open the possibility of its reintroduction. The government is now debating whether to bring back some form of voluntary national service, be it military or civilian in nature. For now, no formal decision has been made, especially after widespread public backlash, as “tens of thousands of high school students took to the streets of cities all over the country to protest against the reintroduction of military service.” Nevertheless, the fact that the debate even exists, in a country that has long been cautious about militarisation, represents a significant shift in Germany’s approach to defence. Now, the Bundestag must balance national security with individual rights.

Croatia:

While Germany remains divided on reintroducing national service, Croatia is more decisive on the topic. Having abolished conscription in 2008, in October 2025 Croatian lawmakers voted in favour of reintroducing mandatory military service, also known as vojno osposobljavanje. On March 9, 2026, the law was put into effect, with officials justifying its return due to an evolved security environment. Unlike the divide in Germany, “polls indicated broad support for the idea, with seven out of ten Croatians in favour.”

The return of mandatory military service in Croatia reflects concerns about security and preparedness in a region that has been shaped by past conflict. With only 15,000 active service members, and Hungary being the only country separating Croatia from Ukraine, Croatian society has shown little resistance to taking part in national defence. 

A Broader European Pattern:

Germany and Croatia are not the only European countries that have re-evaluated their stance on conscription. Currently, there are “13 countries requiring certain citizens to do some form of service”, including Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, and of course, Ukraine. 

While there may be an increasing trend of conscription reintroduction in Europe, some countries have long-standing policies of conscription, including Norway, Switzerland, and Austria. Therefore, it is important to note that conscription has always existed on the continent, long before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, as is the case in Germany, many view conscription as an outdated practice, one that infringes upon individual rights and freedoms. However, that sentiment is not shared across all European countries. In 2013, Switzerland held a referendum, asking citizens if they wished to abolish the practice, yet “73 per cent voted to retain the compulsory service requirement.”

Europe’s prioritisation of defence and security following the invasion of Ukraine is not limited to increased reintroduction of national service. Several European states have increased defence spending and ramped up recruitment campaigns, even those that have not reintroduced conscription. In 2025, “European NATO defence spending rose by almost 20%,” ultimately highlighting European priorities and the shifting approach to defence in an increasingly unstable geopolitical order. 

Conclusion:

European defence policy is shifting. Following the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, many European states over the past three decades worked towards reducing military footprints and abolishing conscription. Militaries focused less on national defence and more on international operations overseas. Today, this process of demilitarisation has stopped and instead is being reversed. Following the return of war to the continent, European armies are focusing on territorial defence and the long-term readiness of the military. Reintroducing conscription is one of the clearest indicators of this strategic shift. While its implementation is far from universal, the mere fact that it is being seriously considered by multiple European governments illustrates the continent’s changing priorities. Evidently, post-Cold War European defence policy is being reconsidered, and as a result, conscription, once viewed as outdated, is now back on the cards.