Croatia will reintroduce mandatory military service for the first time in nearly two decades, with the first recruits expected to begin basic training as early as this autumn, government officials said on Tuesday.
The proposed amendments to the Law on Service in the Armed Forces were unveiled by Defence Minister Ivan Anušić and Interior Minister Davor Božinović, outlining both military and civil service pathways.
Eight-Week Basic Training
Under the new system, basic military training will last two months and be held in barracks in Knin, Slunj and Požega. However, individuals who object to armed service on religious or moral grounds will have the option to serve within the civil protection system, similar to arrangements in earlier conscription models.
Those applying for civil service must submit a formal request after being declared fit for military duty. Applications can be denied if the applicant has a criminal conviction involving weapons, owns a firearm (except as a registered heirloom), or fails to state clear religious or ethical reasons for the objection.
Approved conscientious objectors will be assigned to civil protection agencies or local and regional government units. The civil service term will be three months within the protection system or four months within local authorities.
Rights and Compensation
Civilian conscripts will receive housing, meals, monthly stipends of €250, transport compensation, and emergency leave in cases such as marriage, childbirth, or death of a close family member. Their employment rights will be preserved during the service period.
Health coverage is included, and a five-day extraordinary leave is guaranteed for personal events.
Students may defer service until June 30 of the year they turn 29, provided they submit enrollment proof by October 31. Athletes competing at national or international levels may request a one-year deferment with backing from the national Olympic Committee or a sports federation.
Individuals who fail to respond to service calls without justification face fines ranging from €250 to €1,320. Police may be authorized to escort individuals to military offices if necessary.
Military Registration Begins at 18
Croatians will be entered into military records upon turning 18, with physical exams scheduled at 19. Those who do not file for conscientious objection will be directed to standard military training. The Croatian Parliament may choose to suspend the draft in a given year based on national priorities.
New provisions will allow individuals with only a primary school education to join the military, contingent on completing secondary education during their first contract. The law also introduces support for mortgage interest subsidies and enables those with suspended sentences to remain in the service.
The reintroduction of conscription is framed as a measure to enhance national defence and civil resilience while accommodating diverse personal beliefs.