Paris, 12 January 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Recruitment has begun in France for a newly introduced voluntary military service, the armed forces said Monday.

In its first year, the program aims to enlist 3,000 volunteers. The intake is set to rise gradually to 10,000 volunteers per year by 2030 and to 42,500 by 2035.

Interested candidates can apply online to the army, air force or navy, or visit a regional recruitment center.

The program is open to young people aged 18 to 25 and offers monthly pay of EUR 800. After completing one month of basic training, volunteers will be assigned to a military unit for nine months, where they will carry out the same duties as active-duty personnel. Deployments abroad are not planned.

Conscription possible during crisis

France abolished compulsory military service in 1996 following the end of the Cold War. Under the new framework, the voluntary military service could be converted into general conscription in times of crisis.

Announcing the initiative in November, President Emmanuel Macron said the program was intended to reinforce France's professional armed forces. In a more uncertain global environment, he said, a combination of a professional army and volunteers was necessary to be prepared for all contingencies.

France's professional military currently comprises around 200,000 soldiers, supported by approximately 47,000 reservists.