The UK Government has firmly stated that it has no intentions of reinstating conscription, even as discussions intensify across Europe regarding the potential necessity of mandatory military service in light of increasing threats, particularly from Russia. On Sunday, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics articulated that European nations should “absolutely” consider implementing conscription to bolster defenses against Russian aggression.
Latvia reintroduced compulsory military service for adult males on January 1, 2024, joining several other EU countries, including Cyprus, Austria, Finland, and Sweden, which have maintained or reinstated such measures. “Many other countries need to follow that,” Rinkevics asserted.
Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden echoed the government’s stance, stating that while conscription is not currently under consideration, future decisions will be made in response to the “new reality” presented by global circumstances. He mentioned that around 8,000 British Army troops are currently engaged in exercises across Eastern Europe to counteract Russian threats, emphasizing the need for Europe to enhance its defense capabilities.
“We’ve announced a significant increase in defense spending recently and must acknowledge that the world has changed,” he told Sky News. “The term ‘step up’ has been frequently mentioned in recent weeks, and Europe indeed must step up regarding its defense. President Trump might not be the first to voice this concern, but he has done so with greater emphasis than his predecessors.”
McFadden continued, “As the global landscape evolves rapidly, it’s crucial that we refrain from clinging to outdated assumptions. This may lead to the necessity of other decisions in the future to adapt to this new reality.”
Concerns are growing over Trump’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and his approach to international relations, particularly following his decision to withdraw military aid, intelligence sharing, and satellite imagery from Ukraine, alongside warnings that the US may not support Europe in the event of further Russian incursions.
European Nations with Conscription
A Austria
Austria has upheld conscription since the Habsburg monarchy’s era in the 18th century. All men aged 18 to 25 are mandated to serve in the military or undertake alternative civilian roles lasting six or nine months, respectively. Conscientious objectors can complete their service in social sectors, including hospitals and youth organizations. Public support for conscription remains strong, with over 59% voting to retain it in a 2013 referendum.
B Denmark
In Denmark, conscription is compulsory for physically fit men aged 18 and over. Approximately 4,700 conscripts complete basic training annually. The government plans to expand conscription to women starting January 2027 and to extend the service duration from four to eleven months. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated, “We do not rearm because we desire war. We are rearming to prevent it.” Denmark has a long-standing tradition of conscription, dating back to the Viking Age, with conscientious objection recognized since 1917.
C Sweden
All Swedish citizens, regardless of gender, aged 16 to 70 are integrated into the country’s “total defense” strategy, which prepares them for potential conflict. There are three types of service: military conscription, civilian service, and general compulsory national service. Every 18-year-old undergoes a military or civil service assessment, although not all will be called to serve. Those who do serve undergo training for nine to twelve months, focusing on modern warfare, cybersecurity, peacekeeping, and regional defense in the Nordic and Baltic areas. Individuals with conscientious objections may apply for non-combat roles in civilian defense. Sweden’s decision to reinstate military service in 2018 was largely a response to Russian aggression, particularly following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
D Latvia
Latvia reinstated compulsory military service for all males in January 2024 after having abolished it in 2006, aiming to have 61,000 troops ready for deployment. Men are required to serve for 11 months, with exemptions for sole caretakers, guardians of children, and those with health conditions. The Baltic nation shares a 180-mile border with Russia, and Rinkevics has urged other European countries to follow Latvia’s lead in light of the perceived military threat from Russia.
E Norway
In Norway, individuals aged 19-44 are required to complete 19 months of military service, extending to ages 18-55 during wartime, unless they are medically unfit or conscientious objectors. Typically, conscripts fulfill 12 months of service, with the remainder spent in reserve or home guard training. Norway pioneered gender-neutral conscription, calling up female conscripts starting in 2015, and by 2020, women constituted a third of new recruits.
F Estonia
In Estonia, all male citizens aged 18 to 27 must complete 11 months of military service, while women can volunteer. Conscripts are assigned to various branches of the Estonian Defence Forces, excluding the air force. In September 2024, Estonia commenced the €18 million construction of Camp Reedo, its first new military base since the Soviet era, located near its border with Russia, aimed at bolstering defense capabilities against potential threats.
G Greece
In Greece, all male citizens aged 19 to 45 are subject to mandatory military service across the army, navy, and air force, while women can volunteer. The duration of service typically lasts 12 months, and conscientious objectors can opt for civilian service lasting 15 months. Conscription is a fundamental aspect of Greece’s defense strategy, having been implemented in various forms since 1912.
H Lithuania
In response to shifting security challenges, Lithuania reinstated conscription in 2015, transitioning from a professional volunteer force established in 2008. Currently, service lasts nine months for men aged 18 to 23, with individuals subsequently joining the active reserve for a decade. Both men and women outside the mandatory age range can voluntarily enlist. President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized the importance of conscription, stating, “Russia has demonstrated its readiness to act aggressively, and we must be prepared to defend our nation and region.”
I Cyprus
Cyprus mandates military service for all male citizens and male non-citizens born to at least one Greek Cypriot parent, beginning at age 18 and continuing until the age of 50. Conscripts are required to serve 14 months in the Cypriot National Guard before transitioning to the reserves. The rationale behind conscription includes long-standing tensions with Turkey and broader regional instability in the Middle East.
J Finland
In Finland, men aged 18 to 60 are obligated to undergo compulsory military service, with durations ranging from 165 to 347 days, depending on the role. Most serve between six and twelve months, while women may volunteer for all combat positions within the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF). The proportion of women in the military has been progressively increasing. Finland’s conscription system is integrated into its “Total Defence” doctrine, which seeks to prepare the entire population for potential invasions. President Sauli Niinistö has affirmed, “Our capability to maintain a credible defense force is what has kept us safe.” In December, Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen warned that “Russia, along with its allies, will continue to pose a threat to Europe even after the conclusion of the war in Ukraine.”
