Joining The Austrian Army: Foreigner Eligibility Criteria

Austria has compulsory military service for male citizens aged between 18 and 35. Women can also join the army but on a voluntary basis. Austrian citizens with permanent residence abroad are not invited to present themselves to the examination board while living outside of Austria. However, once they move their residence to Austria, they must register with the army headquarters in their province within three weeks of their arrival. Foreigners cannot join the Austrian army. However, Austrian citizens with dual citizenship who complete mandatory military service in another country will not lose their Austrian citizenship.

Foreigners cannot join the Austrian army

Austria has compulsory military service for male citizens between the ages of 18 and 35. This includes Austrian citizens with permanent residence abroad, who must register with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate General in their country when they turn 17. However, they are not required to attend a "Stellung" (an assessment of fitness to participate in military service) while living abroad. If they move to Austria, they must register with their provincial army headquarters within three weeks of their arrival and will then receive an invitation to present themselves to the examination board.

Female Austrian citizens have the option to voluntarily join the military. All citizens, male and female, have the right to choose between military and alternative service, such as working with certain NGOs.

In the case of dual citizenship, voluntary entry into the military service of a foreign state will result in the revocation of Austrian citizenship, even if the person becomes stateless as a result. However, completing mandatory military service in a state of which the person is also a national does not lead to a loss of Austrian nationality. Any voluntary extension of mandatory military service, even by one day, will result in the loss of Austrian citizenship.

While there is no explicit mention of foreigners in the context of joining the Austrian army, the information suggests that only Austrian citizens are eligible for military service. Therefore, it can be inferred that foreigners cannot join the Austrian army.

Austrian citizenship is revoked if a citizen serves in a foreign army

In Austria, male citizens above the age of eighteen are subject to compulsory military service. Female citizens can also choose to enter voluntary military service. However, Austrian citizens with permanent residence abroad are not required to serve in the military while living outside of Austria.

Regarding foreign nationals serving in the Austrian military, it seems this is not a possibility. Instead, Austrian law focuses on the military service of Austrian citizens in foreign militaries. Specifically, Austrian citizenship can be revoked if an Austrian citizen serves in a foreign military. This is detailed in Austrian legislation, which states that:

> "In case of voluntary entry into the military service of a foreign state (e.g. Foreign Legion), Austrian citizenship will be revoked even if the person thereby becomes stateless. However, the completion of mandatory military service in a State of which the person liable for military service is also a national does not lead to a loss of nationality – but any voluntary extension, even if only for one day, does."

Therefore, while foreigners cannot join the Austrian army, Austrian citizens can serve in foreign militaries, but they do so at the risk of losing their Austrian citizenship. It is important to note that this revocation of citizenship only applies to voluntary entry into a foreign military and does not apply to mandatory military service in a state of which the person is also a national.

Austrian males are required to register for the draft at 17

In Austria, male citizens above the age of eighteen are subject to compulsory military service. Women, on the other hand, have the option of volunteering for military service. Male Austrian citizens have the option of choosing between military service and alternative service (for example, with certain NGOs).

Austrian males with permanent residence outside of the country must register with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate General in their country of residence or one that is accredited to their country of residence when they turn 17. They will not, however, be summoned to appear before the examination board while they are living abroad. They are required to register with the army headquarters in their province of residence within three weeks of relocating their residence to Austria. They will then be invited to present themselves to the examination board.

Austrian males can choose alternative public service

Austrian males above the age of eighteen are subject to compulsory national service. They can choose to perform military service or alternative public service.

Alternative public service, also known as civilian service, is available to those who conscientiously object to serving in the military. Those who choose this option will be required to sign a declaration of civilian service, stating that they refuse to use armed force against people and would therefore be in distress of conscience when doing military service.

The alternative public service usually involves work in social services like hospitals, youth organisations, nursing homes, rescue services, emergency medical services, and care for the disabled. It lasts for nine months, while the military service lasts for six months.

Austrian males with permanent residence abroad must register with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate General in their country of residence once they reach the age of 17. However, they will not be invited to present themselves to the examination board while living abroad. Once they move their residence to Austria, they must register with the army headquarters in their province of residence within three weeks and will then receive an invitation to present themselves to the examination board.

Austrian males must serve until age 35

In Austria, male citizens above the age of eighteen are subject to compulsory military service. This means that all male Austrian citizens between the ages of 17 and 50 are required to serve in the military. However, for certain positions such as officers, non-commissioned officers, and special forces, the compulsory service is extended until the age of 65. While female Austrian citizens can choose to enter voluntary military service, male citizens do not have this choice and must either serve in the military or choose an alternative form of service, such as working with certain NGOs.

The obligation to perform military service is outlined in the Military Service Act 2001 (WG 2001), which specifies that only Austrian citizens who have reached the age of 18 and are physically and mentally fit to serve in the armed forces may become soldiers. It is important to note that Austrian citizens with permanent residence abroad are still subject to these requirements. While they are not required to register with the examination board while living abroad, they must register with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate General in their country of residence at the age of 17. Once they move their residence to Austria, they must register with the army headquarters in their province within three weeks and will then receive an invitation to present themselves to the examination board.

For male Austrian citizens who are subject to compulsory military service, there are several options available to fulfill their obligation. One option is to serve in the basic military service (Grundwehrdienst), which involves completing a physical examination (Stellung) to determine fitness for military service. The call-up for basic military service typically occurs at least six months after the initial assessment of fitness, and conscripts have the right to appeal the call-up order if necessary. However, they must still enlist while the appeal proceedings are ongoing.

Another option for male citizens is to perform civilian service instead of military service. This option is available to conscripts who object to the use of armed force against people and would experience a conflict of conscience if they were to serve in the military. The declaration of civilian service must be submitted within six months of the recruitment process, and those who are eligible will be released from compulsory military service and become liable for alternative civilian service. It is important to note that this right to submit a declaration of civilian service is suspended from two days before being called up for military service until discharge or cancellation of the call-up order. Additionally, if basic military service is completed after the call-up, the right is suspended for three years from the day of the call-up.

Overall, the requirement for Austrian males to serve in the military until the age of 35 is a key aspect of the country's compulsory military service policy. While there are alternatives to military service, such as civilian service, the obligation to serve in some capacity is an important responsibility for male Austrian citizens.

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