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Guide to mandatory military service in Croatia

  • ️@expatincroatia
  • ️Tue Jan 07 2025

NOTE: Minister Anušić stated in the interview in January that amendments to the Defense Law, which include military service, will not be addressed until after the presidential elections, likely in March of 2025. Also, the first calls to conscripts are expected in mid-2025.

UPDATED: 2.1.2025.

Croatia has not had mandatory military service since 2008 and the interest in voluntary military training has decreased in recent years. To address this shortfall and ensure adequate military preparedness, Croatia will return to obligatory military service on January 1, 2025.

The Ministarstvo obrane Republike Hrvatske – MORH (Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Croatia) is drafting a law that will be up for voting in the Sabor (Parliament) soon. Most details of the proposed law have already been released. Below, we outline everything that is currently public about the proposal.

In this article, we cover:

The facts are these…

When does obligatory military service start in Croatia

Obvezni vojni rok (obligatory military service) in Croatia begins on January 1, 2025, and the duration of the service will be two months. This move marks a significant change, transitioning from voluntary to mandatory service.

Croatia last had obligatory military service in 2008. Since then, the mandatory military service for Croatian young men was paused, and people could join military service only voluntarily if they met certain requirements.

Currently, Croatia’s military has 15.000 active soldiers and 2.000 reservists. In 2022, only 402 individuals completed voluntary training, far below the annual need of 1.000 conscripts. 

Who is required to enter Croatian mandatory military service?

Approximately 18.000 young men in Croatia turn 18 each year. Several thousand of them will be called for mandatory military service, though not all at once. It is expected that between 4.000 and 4.500 conscripts will undergo mandatory training in the first year of mandatory military service.

Conscription will come from a pool of men between 18 and 27 years. Military service remains voluntary for women who want to serve.

College students can choose to serve in the military before they begin college so that they can enter the workforce right after graduation. Those planning to travel or move outside of Croatia can opt to do military service before they leave so that they do not have to return to Croatia later.

Zakon o službi u Oružanim snagama Republike Hrvatske (Law on Service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia), available here, states that recruits must pass the medical exam. Medical examinations will help determine who meets the requirements to attend mandatory military service. Only those who pass all necessary tests will be called to the military.

The medical exam includes:

  • Examination by a family medicine doctor
  • Examination by a dental medicine doctor
  • Anthropometric measurements
  • Inspection of submitted medical and other documentation important for determining a candidate’s health condition

Medical examinations and psychological tests are conducted at the Zavod za zrakoplovnu medicinu KB Dubrava u Zagrebu (Institute of Aviation Medicine KB Dubrava in Zagreb) and the Zavod za pomorsku medicinu u Splitu (Institute of Naval Medicine in Split).

Deferral of military service

Those who enter college after finishing high school will have the right to request a deferral of mandatory military service until they complete their higher education. There will probably be a limit to how many years one has the right to defer.

Enrolling in higher education institutions is not the way to completely skip mandatory military service. This way, it can only be avoided for a couple of years.

Voluntary military service

Those who wish to enter military service earlier can opt for voluntary service even before they have been called. When mandatory army service starts, voluntary service will be part of the same program, and will therefore fulfill the mandatory requirement.

Dragovoljni ročnici (voluntary conscripts) can sign up for military service at any time during the year. Candidates can apply in the Područni odsjek za poslove obrane (Regional Department for Defense Affairs) according to their place of residence or by applying online. You can view all departments here.

Croatia offers voluntary military service to both women and men. Candidates can be sent for training until the last day of the calendar year in which they turn 30.

To apply for voluntary military service, one must:

  • Be an adult Croatian citizen
  • Pass the medical exam
  • Have no criminal proceedings conducted against them
  • Not be sentenced to an unconditional prison sentence for any criminal offense lasting more than six months
  • Not have completed military service
  • Not have submitted a request for release or renunciation of Croatian citizenship – view a guide here

[Read: How to apply for Croatian citizenship (hrvatsko državljanstvo)]

What if you don’t wish to serve in the mandatory military?

If you do not want to attend the mandatory military service and carry a gun, there is an option for you. According to the Ustav Republike Hrvatske (Constitution of the Republic of Croatia), available here, you have the right to priziv savjesti (appeal of conscience). In this case, you must serve the military in a civil role.

The Ustav says:

Članak 47.

Vojna obaveza i obrana republike Hrvatske dužnost je svih za to sposobnih državljana.

Dopušten je prigovor savjesti onima koji poradi svojih vjerskih ili moralnih nazora nisu pripravni sudjelovati u obavljanju vojničkih dužnosti u oružanim snagama. Te su osobe obavezne ispunjavati druge dužnosti određene zakonom.

Which translates to:

Article 47.

Military duty and the defense of the Republic of Croatia is the duty of all capable citizens.

Conscientious objection is allowed for those who, because of their religious or moral views, are not ready to participate in the performance of military duties in the armed forces. These persons are obliged to fulfill other duties determined by law.

The alternative civilna služba (civil service) will likely last longer than obligatory military training, potentially twice as long. For example, if the military training lasts two months, civil service might last four months.

Where will the military service take place in Croatia?

The obligatory military training for new conscripts will be conducted in Požega, Sinj, and Knin in Croatia. Požega is in Slavonia in the Požega-Slavonia County, Knin is in the Dalmatian hinterland in the Šibenik-Knin County, and Sinj is in the continental part of Split-Dalmatia County.

These training locations have been chosen to accommodate the expected number of recruits and provide the necessary facilities for comprehensive training. Depending on demand, new locations may open in the future.

What will Croatian military training look like?

Mandatory military training

Mandatory military training will encompass both theoretical and practical aspects, ranging from military doctrines to handling and shooting firearms. The training model will be a two-month service focused primarily on basic training, including marksman skills.

Civil service training

Civil service will be coordinated by the Ministarstvo unutarnjih poslova (Ministry of the Interior), civil protection, and local and regional governments. Tasks for civil service members will include important infrastructure projects and roles in the social protection system, such as disaster response and first aid training.

Civil service training is very valuable and can be rewarding for many who want to serve Croatia but do not want to carry weapons.

[Read: Croatian ministries and what they do]

Compensation and benefits for conscripts

The cost of introducing mandatory military service will depend on the chosen model. Initial estimates suggest around 66,4 million euro, although the actual cost could be lower as existing military personnel will conduct the training. Expenses will include accommodation, food, allowances, and equipment.

Conscripts will receive financial compensation of 700 euro per month.

The mandatory military training might also count towards work seniority and offer potential employment advantages, although this is still under consideration. There is a possibility that, after serving in the military, recruits will have the option to stay employed in the military with yearly quotas that will be published over time.

Open questions about military service in Croatia

The new law has yet to be published and approved. Until then, we are waiting for MORH (Ministry of Defense) to provide more information.

The biggest open question is if the Croatian diaspora living abroad will be required to come to Croatia to serve in the military or civil service. Diaspora were required to serve during the last mandatory conscription, but they have not confirmed if this will again be a requirement. We have already sent a request to MORH to clarify this point. We will update this article once we receive an answer.

Other open questions are:

  • Will soldiers serve the service in places closest to their residence?
  • How long can someone defer military service for higher education?
  • How long will the mandatory civil service last if you opt out of military service?
  • Are there any additional exceptions to military service other than civil service?
  • Can civil soldiers pick roles or find institutions to serve the military themselves?
  • If you work in the Ministry of the Interior, do you have to go to the service?
  • Is military service ever going to be obligatory for women?
  • Will you get paid leave from your job if drafted?
  • Will there be any protections so that you don’t lose your job if drafted?
  • If you have dual citizenship and you have served in the military in a different country, can you serve in the Croatian military?
  • Will there be any professional benefits to serving in the military?
  • What is the penalty if you don’t respond to being called?

Do you have any questions about Croatia’s mandatory military service that we have not already covered? If so, please submit your question here.

How to be a professional soldier in Croatia

In addition to voluntary and mandatory military service, you can also become a professional soldier or study to become a military officer in Croatia.

Professional military options are:

  • Professional soldier
  • Military seafaring
  • Military aviation
  • Military engineering
  • Military leadership and management

Professional soldier

If you want to work in the Croatian military, you can apply to become a profesionalni vojnik (professional soldier), also known as djelatni vojnik (active soldier).

A soldier in the Hrvatske oružane snage (Croatian Armed Forces) performs essential but less demanding military tasks. They might hold ranks like razvodnik (quartermaster) or desetnik (corporal) and handle duties ranging from operational tasks, telephone operations, warehouse management, driving, and specific military roles based on their rank and specialization.

Candidates need basic military knowledge, typically gained through voluntary military service. The best performers during this service might be invited to join the Armed Forces permanently.

Legal requirements include:

  • Croatian citizenship
  • Age up to 27
  • Good health
  • Completion of military service and specialist training
  • No criminal record

View more information about the program here.

[Read: How to get a Croatian criminal background check]

Hrvatsko vojno učilište “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”

Hrvatsko vojno učilište “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” (Croatian Military Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”) offers a unique and prestigious educational experience designed for those aspiring to become officers in the Croatian Armed Forces.

There are two programs in the academy:

  • Military engineering – provides in-depth knowledge and skills in military technology, tactics, and engineering principles
  • Military leadership and management – focused on developing future leaders and covers strategic management, leadership skills, and military operations

Upon completion of these undergraduate programs, graduates are assured of a secure job within the Croatian Armed Forces. One significant advantage of studying at the Croatian Military Academy is the extensive financial support provided to student cadets.

The financial support includes:

  • Full coverage of study costs
  • Free accommodation and meals
  • Free literature and sports equipment
  • City transport passes
  • Monthly stipend to cover additional expenses

View more information about the program here.

Fakultet prometnih znanosti

At Fakultet prometnih znanosti (Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences) in Zagreb, you can study Aeronautika (Aeronautics) and become a vojni pilot (military pilot).  The study program consists of six semesters and cadets spend the first five semesters at the faculty.

During the sixth semester, cadet pilots attend the Središte za obuku “Rudolf Perešin” (“Rudolf Perešin” Training Center) at the vojarna “Pukovnik Mirko Vukušić” (Colonel Mirko Vukušić barracks) in Zemunik Donji near Zadar, integrating classroom education with practical flight training. Initial training is conducted on the Zlin 242L airplane.

After the undergraduate program, cadets continue with four semesters of graduate-level studies. There are two specialized training paths:

  • Airplane pilots – cadets train on the Pilatus PC-9M aircraft
  • Helicopter pilots – cadets train on the Bell 206B Jet Ranger III helicopter

View more information about the program here.

Sveučilište u Splitu

You can also study vojno pomorstvo (military seafaring) at Sveučilište u Splitu (University of Split) and gain a diploma in vojna nautika (Military Nautics) or vojno brodostrojarstvo (Military Shipbuilding). The program is 10 semesters long, and scholarships are provided by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of the Interior, or the Ministarstvo mora, prometa i infrastrukture (Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure).

Cadets develop leadership, command, and control skills and gain proficiency in handling firearms, shooting, and maintaining weapons. Additionally, they learn crucial orientation skills. The hands-on sailing practice allows students to experience daily life and work on board military ships and other public vessels, providing a realistic insight into maritime operations.

View more information about the program here.

To keep updated on this topic, make sure to sign up for our Tuesday newsletter. We will publish updates in the newsletter as more questions are answered about this mandatory military service program as well as in this post.

View our other Croatian law articles

Sources:
Kako će izgledati vojni rok by Goran Penić
Vojni rok počinje 1. Siječnja by Index
Dragovoljni ročnici by Ministarstvo obrane
Zakon o službi u Oružanim snagama Republike Hrvatske
Anušić potvrdio: ‘Obavezni vojni rok počinje 1. siječnja, trajat će dva mjeseca‘ by L.G.

Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.