Conscription is introduced when a military needs people to fight in a war, but there aren't enough volunteers for the armed forces.

19:36, Wed, Jan 14, 2026 Updated: 19:36, Wed, Jan 14, 2026

silhouette de soldat armés

Nine out of 27 EU countries have rolled out conscription (Image: Getty)

As of early 2026, the prospect of a major world conflict has moved from theory to government policy. With the geopolitical climate increasingly shaky, the European Union is undergoing a rapid militarisation. Nine out of 27 EU countries have already solidified mandatory military service for 2025/26, with some others planning to join them. The most recent example is Croatia, which this week confirmed it will return to mandatory military service for young men starting in early 2026, after suspending it in 2008. 

The UK is one of those perceived to be behind the curve, with some claiming its army hasn't been in a worse position for more than 70 years. Conscription could therefore be its only option in the face of war.

Below is the full list of EU countries where conscription is currently active and what the future might hold for the UK.

Austria

Maintaining one of the oldest systems in Western Europe, Austria requires all men to serve six months in the army or nine months in civilian service upon turning 18. Despite its neutrality, Vienna has recently increased defence spending to modernise its conscript-heavy forces.

Cyprus

Faced with long-standing regional tensions with Turkey, Cyprus enforces a mandatory 14-month service for all Greek Cypriot men. Recent reforms have focused on integrating high-tech drone warfare training into the standard conscript curriculum.

The island's non-membership in NATO and its exemption from International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) offer companies greater flexibility in exports and international partnerships. At the same time, Cyprus's membership in the European Union and the Eurozone provides access to the single market along with a stable institutional framework.

Denmark

Danish soldiers rest in the back of a ve

Denmark and other EU countries are sending extra troops to Greenland amid US invasion fears (Image: Getty)

Denmark has taken the radical step of introducing gender equality in conscription. Since July 2025, women can be drafted alongside men for an extended 11-month service period when they turn 18. The country is also under increasing pressure from the US to give up on Greenland - which has been strongly opposed by the Danish government.

Estonia

As a frontline state with Russia, Estonia has one of the most rigorous systems and a mandatory military conscription for healthy male citizens. Men must serve eight to 11 months. The government has recently expanded the number of annual call-ups to ensure a massive, ready-to-fight reserve force. A 12-month service will be standardised from 2027 to enhance combat readiness with more complex weapons systems.

Finland

With the longest EU border with Russia, Finland's conscription is the backbone of its national identity. Almost 80% of Finnish men complete some form of service, creating a reserve force of nearly 900,000 in a nation of just 5.6 million.

Greece

Athens has tightened its conscription laws under the 2026 Roadmap for the Transition of the Armed Forces. Registration for 12-month military service now begins at 17, enabling conscription immediately after school and limiting deferrals for study.

Students and workers have protested the changes, which the Greek parliament passed on Friday. Those who enlist at 18 serve nine months instead of 12, while university, doctoral and vocational deferments are now strictly age-limited.

Latvia

Latvia reintroduced mandatory service last year after abolishing it in 2007. As a result, men aged 18 to 27 must now complete 11 months of training, a direct response to the perceived threat of Russian expansionism in the Baltics.

Lithuania

Lithuania reintroduced mandatory military conscription in 2015 for men aged 18 to 23 in response to regional security concerns. Around 3,500-4,000 are called up each year for nine months through a random lottery. This is a random electronic selection process used to choose the required number of eligible young men for a preiod of mandatory initial military service each year.

Service remains voluntary for women, though their inclusion is under discussion, and voluntary enlistment options are available.

Sweden

In 2018, Sweden reintroduced gender-neutral conscription, requiring most 18-year-olds to register and undergo selection for potential military and civilian service. However, only around 5-10% are drafted. Since 2023, there has been compulsory civilian service in critical sectors like rescue and energy.

What's next for the UK?

First introduced in the lead-up to World War II, conscription is unlikely to return in the near future, according to Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff. He stated that there are currently "no plans" to reintroduce it in the UK, but cautioned that "the situation in the world may deteriorate very significantly".

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Separately, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the News Agents podcast last year that the idea of bringing back conscription has "never crossed my lips".

In the case of a different scenario, read here to find out who'd likely get conscripted first.