Hundreds of Croatian teenagers reported to military barracks on Monday, marking the return of mandatory conscription after its abolition in 2008. Around 800 recruits in the first batch began two-month basic training at facilities nearest their homes, with more than half volunteering and about 10% being women, who face no obligation to serve.

The Croatian parliament approved amendments to the defense law in October 2025, reinstating service amid heightened security concerns in Europe and the Western Balkans. Defence Minister Ivan Anusic attributed the change to the war in Ukraine and Russian proxies destabilizing the region, noting that the security environment had shifted dramatically over the past four years. Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid described the program as "very dynamic, very interesting," covering traditional military skills, drone operation and protection, cyberwarfare, self-defense, first aid, and survival techniques.

Mandatory service applies to men aged 18 and older, with the government planning to train 4,000 conscripts annually from an eligible pool of around 18,000 young men turning 18 each year. Recruits receive a monthly allowance of 1,100 euros, credit toward their work record, and priority for public-sector jobs as incentives. Conscientious objectors, numbering only 10 so far, can opt for four months of civilian service in areas like civil protection or healthcare, though with reduced pay.

Reactions among the young recruits varied. Eighteen-year-old Leon Dejanovic expressed enthusiasm, saying, "Honestly, I cannot wait to be without my cell phone for a while because I am on my cell phone all day for my job." Nineteen-year-old Josip Franjo Cvitesic voiced opposition, stating he had not yet received a call-up but was against it due to potential disruptions to his job and income. Officials emphasized a gradual acclimatization process to minimize stress, with limited mobile phone use allowed outside training hours.

Croatia abolished conscription in 2008 to shift to a professional volunteer force ahead of NATO membership in 2009. The reinstatement aligns with trends across NATO, where 10 members including Greece, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, and the Baltic states maintain mandatory service. Regional neighbors like Serbia plan similar moves, amid concerns over an arms race in the Balkans.

Public support appears strong, with polls showing seven in ten Croatians in favor, reflecting worries over the country's active personnel of fewer than 15,000 amid events like a 2022 drone overflight in Zagreb. Three more intakes are scheduled before the end of 2026.