France Plans Return of Military Service

France is reintroducing a limited form of military service more than 25 years after ending conscription, offering 10 months of paid voluntary training for young adults.

sarah

Nov 27, 2025 - 20:31

France Plans Return of Military Service

A limited form of military service will be reintroduced in France amid growing fears of conflict with Russia.More than 25 years after conscription ended, the plan will see young men and women volunteer for 10 months of paid military training.

Announcing the plan at an infantry base near Grenoble in southeastern France, President Emmanuel Macron said, "The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it." "We need to mobilize the nation to defend ourselves, be prepared, and earn respect."

The new "national service" will be gradually introduced next summer, primarily for 18- and 19-year-olds, who will receive at least €800 (£700) per month.

Macron said, "In this uncertain world where might triumphs over right, war is the time now." He added that the armed forces would benefit from motivated young French men and women: "This is a matter of trust in our youth."

Initially, the number will be limited to 3,000 next year, but should increase to 50,000 by 2035.

France currently has approximately 200,000 military personnel and 47,000 reservists. The new scheme should create a three-tier structure, consisting of professionals, reservists, and volunteers.

This change brings France in line with other European countries that have introduced military service schemes – with varying parameters – due to fears of Russian aggression.

Belgium and the Netherlands have introduced voluntary military service, and Germany is planning something similar.

This month, the Belgian Defense Ministry sent letters to 17-year-olds inviting them to volunteer for approximately €2,000 (£1,750) per month.

Further east, Lithuania and Latvia have mandatory schemes, in which cadets are selected by lottery. Sweden, which recently joined NATO, has introduced nine to 15 months of military service, with selection based on merit.

Some European countries, such as Finland and Greece, have never abolished military service, while the Swiss are set to vote on Sunday on replacing male-only service with compulsory civic duties for all.

Other countries, including the UK and Spain, have no plans to reinstate it yet.

France's military chief is broadly in favor of the new measure, which he hopes will create a group of volunteers who can accompany professional soldiers and replace them in non-frontline roles.

It is also hoped that many volunteers will remain for their entire military careers.

"The new military service is taking us towards a hybridization of the armed forces," said Thomas Gasillaud, president of the National Assembly's Defense Committee. "We have come a long way towards full professionalization."

The threat of a potential, if poorly worded, conflict with Russia has become a part of France's national discourse. The government regularly issues alerts about under-the-radar incidents or attempts by Moscow to sway public opinion through social media.

Recently, the newly appointed Chief of Staff, General Fabien Mandon, raised alarm to a new level when he stated that France's military planning is based on the expectation of a conflict with Russia within the next three or four years.

Last week, he made a further statement, telling a meeting of mayors that France lacks a spirit of sacrifice and asking them to prepare for the possibility of "losing children" in the war.

While the far-left and far-right immediately criticized this, the government dismissed it as unfounded. Last weekend, Macron assured the nation that there are no plans to send young recruits to fight in Ukraine.

Polls show that a majority of people favor voluntary military service. An Elbay survey this week found that 73% of people supported the move. Young people aged 25-34 were the least supportive, but even within this age group, there was a 60% majority.

"It's a good thing," said 22-year-old student Louis. "It may make the army bigger, but it's also a way to love your country more."

Another student, Alan, said: "In military service, you meet people from all over. You learn new ways of looking at things... You learn to talk to other people, trust them, and get along with them."

Set designer Brigitte said, "From what I read in the newspapers, our army isn't that powerful - so if we want to prepare for the future, maybe this is a good idea."

But Lali, a 21-year-old shop assistant, disagreed: "I think there are more important issues. It's sad that the president isn't interested in young people—their mental health, their financial situation—and instead focuses on this military service."

In 1996, then-President Jacques Chirac decided to abolish military service as a peace prize from the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Mandatory military training for young people has been a part of national life since the French Revolution, which gave rise to the idea of a citizen-soldier.