RESIDENCY · MILITARY SERVICE
Mandatory military service in Serbia: what families and dual citizens need to know
Serbia abolished compulsory military service in 2011, but it is being reinstated — the government announced a return in late 2025, with the first intake expected in 2026. It applies to Serbian citizens, which makes it relevant if you are pursuing citizenship (especially by descent) or hold dual nationality and have a son approaching service age. The law is still being finalised, so confirm the current position before you act.
What is actually changing
Serbia suspended conscription in 2011 and moved to a professional army. In November 2025 the government announced it would reinstate compulsory military service. Based on the announced framework:
- Who: male Serbian citizens, beginning with younger cohorts (those born in 2006 and after).
- Length: approximately 75 days of military service.
- Scale: on the order of 20,000 conscripts per year.
- Alternative: a longer civilian-service option (around 150 days) for conscientious objectors.
- Timing: the first intakes are expected during 2026.
The enabling law still has to pass parliament, and the precise rules — exemptions, deferrals, treatment of citizens living abroad, and how dual nationals are handled — are exactly the points still being worked out. Treat any specific figure as provisional until the law is adopted.
Who this affects — and who it doesn’t
This is a question about citizenship, not residence. If you move to Serbia as a foreigner on a residence permit, you are not a Serbian citizen and conscription does not apply to you. It becomes relevant in three situations:
- You are acquiring Serbian citizenship (for example, by descent) and you — or your sons — are male and within the relevant age range.
- You already hold dual Serbian citizenship and a son is approaching service age.
- You are weighing citizenship for the next generation and want to understand the obligation before you commit.
The decisions that actually matter
Because the framework is new and still moving, map your own exposure rather than rely on general headlines:
- Confirm whether anyone in your household is in scope — age, sex, and citizenship status determine it.
- Understand how living abroad is treated. How citizens resident outside Serbia are handled is one of the unsettled details — check it against the final law.
- Factor it into citizenship timing. If you are applying for citizenship by descent for a son, the obligation — and any deferral tied to studies or residence abroad — is something to weigh in when and how you apply.
- Don’t assume permanence either way. The policy is being introduced now and the detail is fluid; verify the current position at the time you act.
When professional guidance is worth it
Whether the obligation touches your family depends on individual citizenship status, ages, and where you live — and the governing law is still being finalised. Before making a citizenship decision for a son, or if you already hold dual nationality and are unsure of your position, it is worth having your situation reviewed against the current rules rather than acting on assumptions.
Planning citizenship for your family?
Have your household’s position on military service reviewed before you apply — so the obligation is something you plan around, not something you find out about later.
Frequently asked questions
Does Serbia have mandatory military service?
It was abolished in 2011, but as of late 2025 the government is reinstating it, with first intakes expected in 2026. The enabling law is still being finalised.
Does it apply to foreigners moving to Serbia?
No. It applies to Serbian citizens. Living in Serbia as a foreign resident does not make you subject to conscription.
How long is the service?
The announced framework is around 75 days of military service, with a longer civilian-service alternative (about 150 days) for conscientious objectors. Confirm against the final law.
I’m getting citizenship by descent for my son — should I be concerned?
It’s a factor to plan for, not a reason to avoid citizenship. How citizens living abroad are treated is one of the details still being settled, so it’s worth a personalised review before you apply.
Written by [AUTHOR], Relocation Serbia. Reviewed by [LEGAL REVIEWER]. Last reviewed: June 2026. General information, not legal advice. Military-service rules in Serbia are actively changing — verify the current position before acting. Sources: Government of Serbia.