Austria's Compulsory Military Service: What You Need To Know

Military service is mandatory for male Austrian citizens over the age of 18. Women are not conscripted, but they can choose to enter military service voluntarily. Men have the option to choose between military service and alternative service, such as working with certain NGOs or performing community service. Those who opt for military service are required to serve for six months, while alternative service typically lasts nine months.

Who is required to do mandatory military service in Austria?

In Austria, male citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to perform mandatory military service. Austrian men living abroad permanently are exempt from conscription, but they must register with their local embassy when they turn 17. Those who move back to Austria must register with their provincial army headquarters within three weeks of their return and will then be required to perform military service.

Male citizens who are permanently residing in Austria have two options for their mandatory service: military service or alternative civilian service. Military service lasts for six months, while alternative civilian service lasts for nine months. Alternative civilian service is for conscientious objectors who refuse, for reasons of conscience, to bear arms against people. This generally involves work in social services like hospitals, youth organisations, nursing homes, rescue services, emergency medical services, and care of the disabled.

Female Austrian citizens are not conscripted and are not obliged to serve in the military. However, they have the option to enter voluntary military service.

What are the alternatives to military service?

In Austria, male citizens above the age of eighteen are subject to compulsory military service. However, they have the right to choose between military service and alternative forms of service. Here are some alternatives to mandatory military service in Austria:

Civilian Service (Zivildienst)

Civilian Service, officially known as Zivildienstleistender (ZDL) or Zivildiener, is the most common alternative to military service in Austria. It is available to conscientious objectors who refuse to perform military service due to their beliefs or principles. This form of service usually lasts nine months and involves working in social services, such as hospitals, youth organisations, nursing homes, rescue services, emergency medical services, and care for the disabled. Those who choose this option are required to sign a declaration of civilian service, stating their refusal to use armed force against people due to reasons of conscience. It is important to note that those who perform Civilian Service are banned from owning or carrying weapons for fifteen years after completing their service.

Austrian Service Abroad

The Austrian Service Abroad, founded by Andreas Maislinger, offers Austrian conscripts the opportunity to work internationally. This option is not considered part of the regular alternative civilian service but is a substitute for it, exempting participants from compulsory community service. Positions in the Austrian Service Abroad are highly sought-after and typically involve a twelve-month commitment. There are three main services under this program:

• Austrian Holocaust Memorial Service: This service involves caring for victims of Nazism and ensuring their memory is preserved.
• Austrian Social Service: Participants support the social and economic development of the country in which they are deployed, working with various partner organisations.
• Austrian Peace Service: Those who choose this option spend a year in partner organisations in China, Israel, Japan, or the Netherlands, gaining an understanding of complex conflicts and contributing to peace efforts.

Voluntary Ecological Year (Freiwilliges Umweltjahr/FUJ)

The Voluntary Ecological Year program offers individuals the opportunity to dedicate ten months or more to environmental protection and conservation efforts. This option is suitable for teenagers and young adults interested in making a positive impact on the environment.

Voluntary Social Year (Freiwilliges Sozialjahr/FSJ)

The Voluntary Social Year program allows individuals to contribute to social welfare initiatives for a minimum of ten months. This alternative is longer than the Zivildienst but offers certain benefits that may appeal to some individuals.

What is the length of military service in Austria?

In Austria, male citizens above the age of 18 are subject to compulsory military service. Austrian males between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to do a period of public service. They have a choice between military service (known as "Militärdienst") and alternative public service/civilian service (known as "Zivildienst").

The length of military service in Austria is currently six months. This duration was established in 2004 when a reform commission recommended reducing the term of military service from nine months. The reduction in the length of military service was implemented in 2006.

For those who choose the alternative civilian service option, the service usually lasts nine months. This option is available for conscientious objectors who refuse to serve in the military for ethical or religious reasons. The Zivildienst involves work in social services such as hospitals, youth organizations, nursing homes, rescue services, emergency medical services, and care for the disabled.

It is important to note that female Austrian citizens are not subject to compulsory military service. However, they have the option to voluntarily enter military service if they choose to do so.

What is the pay for those undertaking national service?

In Austria, males between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to complete a period of public service. There are two options: military service or civilian service. Those who choose military service will receive a monthly pay of €238.31, plus an allowance of €124.77 (as of 2024). Civilian service, on the other hand, offers a higher basic monthly pay of €585.10 (as of 2024). This option is available to those who conscientiously object to serving in the military.

It is worth noting that the length of service differs between the two options. Military service lasts for 6 months, while civilian service requires 9 months of commitment. Additionally, those who choose civilian service will be unable to obtain a gun license for 15 years.

For individuals with families, financial support for housing, as well as for partners and children, is available during the national service period. Furthermore, all individuals undertaking national service are entitled to free travel on public transport within Austria.

It is important to recognize that the rates of pay for both military and civilian service in Austria may be subject to change over time due to various factors, including economic conditions and government policies. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to the most recent official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the compensation for those undertaking national service in Austria.

What are the exemptions to mandatory military service?

In Austria, male citizens above the age of 18 are subject to compulsory military service. However, there are several exemptions and alternatives to this requirement.

Austrian men can apply for exemption from military service if they are attending school, university, or undertaking an apprenticeship. Additionally, male citizens with permanent residence abroad are not required to serve, but they must register with the Austrian Embassy or Consulate General in their country of residence by the time they turn 17. If they move back to Austria, they must register with the local army headquarters within three weeks of their arrival and will then be invited to present themselves to the examination board.

Male citizens who have already completed compulsory military service for another country may also be exempt, but this is assessed on a case-by-case basis. It is important to note that voluntary service in the military of a foreign state will result in the loss of Austrian citizenship, even if the person becomes stateless. However, completing mandatory military service in another country of which the person is also a national does not lead to a loss of Austrian citizenship.

For those who conscientiously object to serving in the military, there is the option of Civilian Service (Zivildienst), which involves work in social services, hospitals, youth organisations, nursing homes, rescue services, emergency medical services, and care for the disabled. This alternative service usually lasts nine months, and those who choose this option are unable to obtain a gun licence for 15 years.

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