On April 19, 2023, Law No. 75 on the State Defense Service entered into force in the Republic of Latvia. This law, which was signed by Latvian President Egils Levits on April 18, 2023, introduces compulsory military service, regulates the process of national conscription for males, and establishes the rules for voluntary service by female Latvian nationals. Under this law, military service becomes mandatory for male citizens from January 1, 2024. (Law No. 75, Transitional Provisions, para 4.). The new legislation reinstates compulsory military service in the country, which had been abolished in 2006.
“For many years Latvia mostly relied on volunteers enlisting in army to defend Latvia. Russian invasion of Ukraine has however shown that Latvia needs to reach sufficient size of militarily trained population in the long run, which means creating well-prepared and sufficiently sized reserve forces.” said Ministry of Defense website statement.
Voluntary enlistment is open to Latvian nationals of both sexes aged 18-27.
According to State Defence Service bill, all Latvian nationals – men aged 18 and full-aged men who have not completed their primary or secondary education – shall be drafted within 12 months of reaching the age of 18 or graduation in the case of those still in education system until the age of 24.
Duration of SDS will depend on the type of enlistment: 11 months in regular forces of the National Armed Forces or National Guard; 5 years in National Guard with at least 21-day total of individual training and no more than 7 days of collective training days per year; 5 years in reserve officer training programme for university and college students with the total training and military exercise time of at least 180 days.
The Service is exempted for Latvian nationals with double citizenship (nationality) having served abroad or completed alternative civilian service (alternative service) in another country
