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Serbia will soon reintroduce mandatory military service for young men, President Aleksandar Vucic announced, marking the return of conscription after a 14-year hiatus as the Balkan nation seeks to bolster its defense capabilities amid regional tensions.
Speaking on Pink TV, Vucic said the length of service is still being finalized but will likely last around 75 days.
He framed the initiative as beneficial for society as a whole, designed to teach young people responsibility and civic duty rather than impose hardship.
"We will soon introduce military service, whether it is for 75 days or for a different period. It is good for the entire society, and young people will learn responsibility. This does not pose any problem for them," Vucic said, adding that the program would help citizens feel richer through contributing to their country.
Under the planned system, all men between 19 and 27 years old will be required to enter military barracks. The program will consist of two months of intensive military training followed by two weeks of field exercises.
Women will not face conscription, though Vucic noted that voluntary service remains available and provides young people with a sense of responsibility and a concrete way to contribute to the nation.
The Serbian government announced in late November 2025 that it plans to spend €90 million between 2026 and 2028 to reinstate the program, with the first conscripts expected to begin service in January or March 2026. Approximately 20,000 men will be drafted annually, starting with those born in 2006.
Citizens who refuse to carry weapons for moral or ideological reasons will have the option of civilian service, Vucic said. However, this alternative will last over 150 days, making it twice as long as the standard military program.
According to Vucic, this structure ensures both respect for personal beliefs and fairness within the system, while reinforcing that everyone should contribute to society in some form. The civilian alternative has been referred to as a "Civilian Army" in official planning documents.
Serbia suspended mandatory military service on Jan. 1, 2011, after the National Assembly voted to end the requirement in December 2010.
Before abolition, military service lasted six months for men, while conscientious objectors could opt for nine months of civil service.
The Serbian government has cited rising tensions in the Balkans as a key reason for reintroducing conscription, along with Croatia's decision to restore its own mandatory service in January 2026 and a military alliance between Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo.
Vucic emphasized that Serbia is strengthening its defense capabilities in a measured way, intending to deter any potential aggressor.
The president first publicly discussed reviving conscription in August 2018, citing the need to improve combat readiness.
The Serbian General Staff formally proposed reintroduction in January 2024, and Vucic approved the proposal in September 2024.
Public polling has consistently shown strong support for the measure.
A December 2016 survey found 75% of respondents favored returning conscription, with similar levels of support recorded in polls conducted in 2018 and 2021.
Reports indicate that members of the Serbian diaspora living abroad will also be required to serve in the armed forces unless they reside in a country that already has active conscription.
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