Zagreb, 23 December 2025 (Hina/MIA) — After 17 years, basic military training is being reintroduced in Croatia. The Ministry of Defense will send 1,200-1,300 notices on Dec. 29-30 for medical check-ups, with the first conscripts expected in barracks from March 1.

Medical examinations will begin in the second half of January at Croatian Armed Forces medical centers in Zagreb and Split, with transport organized for candidates from other areas. The calls will go to men born in 2007 with registered residence in Croatia. Failure to respond may result in fines of €500-5,000. Women may apply voluntarily and are expected to make up about 15%.

Those claiming conscientious objection will be able to do so after their medical check-up. The Ministry of Defense must forward their cases to the Ministry of the Interior within ten days, and a commission, appointed by the minister in charge of civil protection, must decide within 30 days.

Conscripts who pass the exams will receive call-up papers in February and are expected to report to barracks in Knin, Slunj and Požega on March 1 for two months of training. Each intake will include around 800 conscripts, with five intakes annually.

During training, the 19-year-olds will receive a monthly allowance of about €1,100, have the two months credited as work service and gain priority in employment in state and local administration. Conscripts may request deferral due to education, traineeships or other legally recognized reasons, while dual nationals may fulfil their obligations abroad.

Those who complete basic military training will be offered a place in active service, while those who decline will remain in the Croatian Army reserve until the age of 55.

The rules on basic military training take effect on Wednesday, Dec. 24.