France Announces Voluntary Conscription: Is Europe Moving Toward Mandatory Military Service?
Dr. Mohamad Kawas, Progress Center for Policies
Situation Assessment
Introduction:
On November 27, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron outlined the framework for a voluntary military service program, announcing the introduction of a “voluntary civil service” and a “purely military” service lasting ten months, which would be carried out “exclusively on national territory.”
Details:
The plan aims to “meet the needs of the armed forces” in response to Russian threats and the increasing risk of conflict. Macron stressed that volunteers would serve “exclusively on national territory,” after confirming on November 25, 2025, that the plan does not involve “sending our youth to Ukraine.”
Observers say these statements are an attempt to end the political controversy sparked by Chief of the Armed Forces General Fabien Mandon, who recently stated that France must be prepared “to accept the loss of its sons.” On November 22, 2025, the general reaffirmed earlier warnings about the risk of war in Europe—comments criticized by some opposition figures—stressing that the French armed forces are “ready,” and that his aim was “to warn and prepare.”
On November 18, 2025, Mandon argued that the country must restore its “moral strength to accept the idea that we will suffer to protect our identity” and be ready “to accept the loss of its sons.” Military experts note that to confront the Russian threat, other European countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany have also opened the door to various forms of conscription.
At the end of August 2025, the German government passed a law reopening voluntary military service. In 2026, 18-year-olds will be surveyed to assess their skills and interest in joining the army. European countries abandoned conscription in the 1990s (France, Belgium, the Netherlands) and in 2000 (Spain, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany), while countries like Ireland and Malta never implemented mandatory service.
Six EU countries still maintain compulsory military service: Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, and Greece—where conscription has been in place since World War I. In addition, four more countries have reinstated it in recent years due to growing geopolitical instability. In 2014, Lithuania reinstated conscription after Russia annexed Crimea. The service now lasts nine months for men aged 19 to 26.
In 2024, the Baltic states Latvia and Estonia reinstated mandatory service under conditions similar to Lithuania.
In 2017, Sweden reinstated conscription, with service lasting between nine and fifteen months. Only a small minority, selected based on competence and motivation, are called up. Research indicates that Croatia, which abolished conscription in 2008—one year before joining NATO—will reinstate mandatory military service starting in 2026. About 18,000 young men aged 18 will be called up annually for two months of training.
In 2024, the United Kingdom began studying the issue after the army chief called for “preparatory measures to put our societies on alert.” The UK abolished conscription in 1960. Data confirms that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has no plans to reinstate it for now, but has pledged to raise defense spending to 3% of GDP after 2029, up from 2.3% today. In Switzerland, all men aged 18 to 24 must perform military service.
Researchers attribute Europe’s inclination to revive conscription to what it perceives as a direct Russian threat, and the possibility that the war in Ukraine could expand, jeopardizing European security and sovereignty.
These fears are rooted in the belief that Ukraine’s fall would embolden Russia to attack the Baltic states, Poland, or others if it senses NATO weakness.
European military experts acknowledge that the war in Ukraine revealed a severe shortage of volunteer soldiers and that European armies are significantly understaffed—even after salary increases and improved conditions. Reports indicate that the British army may fall below 70,000 soldiers—its lowest level in two centuries—Germany has 18–20% of military positions unfilled, and both Switzerland, Germany, and the UK have lowered recruitment standards to attract more candidates, with insufficient success.
European officers highlight the need for a large, trained reserve capable of rapid mobilization, noting that small professional armies excel in overseas operations but are inadequate for defending national territory in a long-term war like Ukraine. They argue that conscription allows for training tens of thousands annually and creates a reserve force that can be mobilized within days. Finland, Sweden, and the Baltic states say this is the only model capable of deterring a large-scale conventional Russian attack.
Research centers report that conscription could complement or substitute for NATO pressure to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP (Trump has demanded 5%). Many countries have not yet reached even 2%, and view conscription as a cheaper and faster way to increase manpower without massive spending.
Conclusion:
France’s move to introduce voluntary military service reflects future preparations for what France and Europe view as a direct Russian threat requiring real readiness.
The French army chief’s comments about accepting casualties reveal a strategic shift in France, viewing war with Russia as inevitable.
This French shift may accelerate similar transformations within the EU, especially in Eastern European countries bordering Ukraine.
Europe as a whole is leaning toward reactivating various forms of conscription, including mandatory service.
Some countries unable to meet NATO’s financial contribution targets see conscription as a cheaper and more effective way to strengthen defenses.
While military professionals acknowledge the sophistication of modern professional armies, they also admit these forces are insufficient to withstand a prolonged Russian war.
Defense experts believe reinstating mandatory service will be the most effective tool to address Europe’s manpower shortages.
Academics argue that conscription is returning gradually but may evolve into a universal system as Europe reassesses its security model—rooted since World War II—amid signs of growing American retrenchment from Europe’s defense.
