Europe has seen a revival of both compulsory and voluntary military service since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Even countries hesitant to bring back conscription are introducing voluntary programs.
In 2025, France, Germany, Belgium, and Poland announced new voluntary services starting in 2026. France’s 10-month program will begin next summer. Germany plans to recruit 20,000 volunteers annually, reversing its 2011 suspension of conscription.
Most European countries had phased out mandatory conscription in the 1990s and 2000s, relying on professional armies. But renewed conflict in Eastern Europe and Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics have led to a rethink. Depending on the geopolitical location of a nation, they might want to make sure their population has basic military skills.
Whether it's because they are situated next to a bigger, more hostile neighbor, or if their government sees military identity as an important aspect of citizenship, in this gallery we take a look at the countries where serving in the military is still a normal part of life. Curious? Click on to discover the countries that still have military service.