GOVERNMENT SUBMITS AMENDMENTS TO DEFENSE LAWS INTRODUCING MILITARY CONSERVATION TO PARLIAMENT
From Thursday's session in Parliament, the Government, along with the Defense Strategy of the Republic of Croatia and the Long-term Plan for the Development of the Armed Forces from 2025 to 2036, directed the adoption and amendments of the Law on Defense and Service in the Armed Forces, which, among other things, re-introduces mandatory basic military training.
"We believe that these documents are very necessary given the significantly changed global security circumstances. Croatia has had a suspended decision on military service since 2008. In this way, with well-calibrated, adapted basic military training, we are creating the prerequisites for young generations to acquire skills that 17 or 18 generations have not acquired, and in this way we are strengthening the strength of the Croatian Army," said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Basic military training, the so-called military service, lasting two months, should begin in January 2026.
A citizen of the Republic of Croatia is registered in the military register when he/she reaches the age of 18, and is sent to military training in the calendar year when he/she reaches the age of 19. Exceptionally, conscripts older than 19 and up to 30 years of age may also be sent. After a conscript receives a call-up for military service, he/she is sent for a medical examination to determine whether or not he/she is fit for military service, and in the event of failure to appear, a warrant is issued to the police to bring him/her in, for which a fine of 250 to 1320 euros is provided.
Women are not subject to conscription, but can voluntarily attend basic military training, which is one of the requirements for admission to active military service, and serve in the reserves.
Military training or service through a civilian component
The two-month training will be conducted at three locations - in the Knin, Slunj and Požega barracks. The plan is to include up to five generations per year, or up to 800 conscripts per generation, which would be around 4000 per year. If there is greater interest, the capacities will be expanded.
During military training, conscripts will be paid 1100 euros net per month, with food, transportation, and leave expenses paid. Service is recorded in the length of service, and an employed conscript's employment rights are suspended and he cannot be fired due to serving military training. Unemployed conscripts who complete the training, under equal conditions with everyone else, will have priority in employment in state administration bodies and local and regional self-government units.
Those who are called upon to conscientious objection will have to serve their training as civilians through two models - in the Civil Protection of the Ministry of the Interior or in local units in their place of residence. Training through Civil Protection lasts three months - continuously, every day, and serving in local units in fire and civil protection, environmental management, municipal management and public road maintenance will last four months over five working days of eight hours each.
Civilian conscripts will also receive compensation, only smaller - in Civil Protection possibly around 250 euros per month, which will be decided by the Government, in addition to paid accommodation, food, work and protective clothing, while in local units they will only receive a certain compensation in the form of paid transportation. During the performance of civilian service, a civilian conscript has the right to health care, mandatory health insurance and rights in the event of injury, illness or worsening of the illness during civilian service.
Training, both military and civilian, can be postponed until the age of 29 in the case of studying, and for athletes, for one year, in order to participate in world and European championships, also, at the latest until the age of 29. The law also stipulates the possibility of postponement in specific cases, and defines the conditions for exemption from service, but also for not being called up for service. The conditions for rejecting a request for civilian service are also prescribed.
Amendments to the Law on the Armed Forces, the Defense Strategy and the Long-Term Development Plan of the Croatian Armed Forces
Amendments to the Act on Service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia stipulate that persons with only primary school education will be accepted into active military service, provided that they complete secondary school education by the expiration of the first military service contract, and the age limit for remaining in service is also raised by two years.
The key innovation is that the Ministry of Defense will co-finance part of the interest on a housing loan for the purchase, construction or adaptation of an apartment or house for active military personnel under the age of 45, who do not have a resolved housing issue at their place of service. and the need for further improvement of the living, working and standards of active military personnel was recognized.
The government also adopted the Defense Strategy of the Republic of Croatia, as well as the Long-Term Plan for the Development of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia from 2025 to 2036, with the primary mission of defending the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia, contributing to international security and supporting civil institutions, with the expectation of significantly higher allocations for defense.
"Our vision is to ensure strong Armed Forces and contribute to stability within NATO and the EU, but also independently," said Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Anušić. He recalled that in 2025, Croatia reached NATO's requirement for defense spending of at least 2 percent of GDP.
"The government has already set a goal for defense spending to reach at least 2,5 percent of GDP by 2027, and 3 percent of GDP by 2030," he added.
The strategic defense goals include building a strong and effective national defense, maintaining and improving the capabilities of the Armed Forces for effective deterrence, protecting the sovereignty and independence and defending the territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia, and monitoring and protecting the sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia.
Also, effective and coherent opposition to opposing forces in the event of armed aggression on Croatian territory by using military and non-military national instruments of power within NATO and the EU, contributing to strengthening the capabilities, cohesion and relevance of NATO and the EU's common security and defence policy, participating in building the international security order, peace, stability, security and trust in the international community. The strategy also emphasizes support for civilian institutions in crisis and emergency situations as components of the homeland security system, along with strengthening national resilience, investing in research, technological development and innovation in the field of defence and security, and supporting the development of the domestic defence industry.
Photo: HINA/Denis Cerić
