Croatia is set to reinstate compulsory military service next year, marking a significant shift in the country’s defense policy as geopolitical tensions mount across Europe and beyond. The decision reflects what officials describe as a necessary response to global instability — from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to wider concerns about national resilience in the Balkans.
Lawmakers in Zagreb approved amendments to two key defense laws, enabling the government to reintroduce basic training for approximately 18,000 young men annually once they turn 18. The new program calls for a two-month training period and includes financial compensation intended to make service attractive in a competitive labor market.
Structure of the New System
Under the approved legislation, military conscripts will receive €1,100 per month during their service. Those who object to military duties on grounds of conscience will be permitted to serve instead in civil protection roles — including disaster response teams — for a period of three to four months. Payment levels for alternative service have not yet been finalized but are expected to be significantly lower than those offered to military recruits.
Women will remain exempt from the obligation, a provision that has drawn criticism from left-leaning members of parliament and advocacy groups, who argue that the law reinforces gender inequality. Critics also contend that conscripts in civilian service will be unfairly disadvantaged because they will earn less and will not receive preferential consideration for jobs in public institutions — a benefit reserved for those completing military service.
Domestic Politics and Security Context
Croatia abolished conscription in 2008, a year before joining NATO, as part of a broader modernization effort to professionalize its armed forces. Yet senior officials have since warned that the deteriorating international environment necessitates renewed investment in basic defense capacity.
“We are witnessing a rise in various types of threats that demand rapid and effective action from society as a whole,” Defense Minister Ivan Anušić of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) told lawmakers. “In the face of any threat, the defense of the country is paramount.”
Supporters of the reform argue that the return of compulsory service will strengthen national preparedness and help address recruitment shortfalls. They also emphasize that conscription enjoys relatively broad public support amid concerns about regional instability.
Looking Ahead
The government is expected to finalize implementation plans in the coming months, with training camps and administrative systems scaled up to accommodate a new annual intake. While opposition voices continue to challenge aspects of the reform, the dominant political consensus favors proceeding swiftly.
As Croatia navigates shifting geopolitical dynamics, the return of conscription underscores a wider trend among European states reassessing their defense structures in an increasingly uncertain era.