Croatia’s defense minister cites a rise in “various types of threats” as the reason.
After a 17-year suspension, Croatia’s parliament has voted to reinstate mandatory military service. The country transitioned to a fully professional army in 2008 when it abolished the draft.
The decision aligns with a wider trend among NATO and EU countries to revive conscription and increase military budgets, referencing current geopolitical tensions, notably the conflict in Ukraine.
According to state broadcaster HRT, the new law will require approximately 4,000 recruits annually, divided into five groups, to undergo two months of basic training at military facilities nationwide. Beginning in early 2026, the program is estimated to cost €23.7 million per year. Participants will receive about €1,100 monthly, along with coverage for travel and leave, and credited work experience.
Defense Minister Ivan Anusic stated earlier this week, as reported by AFP, that Croatia is “seeing a rise in various types of threats that demand swift and effective action from the broader community.” In June, he attributed the reinstatement of conscription to “changed global geopolitical and security circumstances, increasingly frequent climate change, natural disasters and similar challenges.”
Croatia is the latest NATO and EU member to revive or expand conscription. Sweden reintroduced the draft in 2017 and intends to raise the reservist age limit. Latvia and Lithuania have brought back mandatory service, while Estonia and Finland have increased their annual recruitment numbers. Poland has also considered similar measures.
Since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, Western officials have suggested that Russia could pose a threat to EU countries, leading to increased military spending across the bloc. European NATO members have agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, citing the alleged “Russian threat.”
Moscow has consistently denied any hostile intentions toward Western nations, dismissing such claims as “nonsense” and fearmongering, and condemning what it perceives as the West’s “reckless militarization.”
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