French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the return of a form of – voluntary – national service for young people.
The ten-month voluntary service is 'purely military' and will focus on building up French reserves from 45,000 in 2024 to 105,000 by 2035.
The service is aimed at 18-19 year olds (although groups of specialists including data analysts, engineers, and medical staff will be able to apply up to the age of 25) who should see it "like a gap year," the president said when announcing the measure at a visit to a military camp in Varces (Isère).
Beginning in summer 2026, it aims for 3,000 personnel to join next year, rising to 10,000 in 2030 and 50,000 in 2035.
People who take part will be paid at least €800 per month, as well as have accommodation and food costs covered, and receive a 75% discount on rail fares via a military travel pass.
They will be able to postpone university admissions, and volunteering would see them gain credits towards attaining their degree. The government will urge admissions departments and employers to look favourably upon participation in the service when judging applications.
The cost of the scheme will be covered by planned increases to the military budget between 2026 and 2030.
It applies only to French citizens.
Mr Macron said that "in the event of a major crisis, parliament may authorise the call-up of those whose skills have been identified," during the service.
It is only after these volunteers, and other reservists, have been called up that further conscription during a war-time scenario can be considered.
"But apart from this exceptional case, this national service is a voluntary service," the president said.
In a rare turn of events, the scheme is being backed across the board by politicians, although some are calling for additional elements to be included.
It is also widely supported by the public, with 86% of people surveyed in a poll earlier this year* backing a return to military service – and 53% saying it should be mandatory.
France is the latest of several European countries to propose a return of national service or conscription.
Earlier this year, Germany announced all males will need to complete a mandatory questionnaire upon turning 18 to assess their ability to join the military, and countries such as Sweden and Latvia have also reinstated military service rules.
Countries across the continent are shaking up current rules – and increasing defence spending – as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In March, Mr Macron said in a televised speech that Europe could no longer rely on US intervention in the event of conflict, and would need to prepare itself accordingly.
History of conscription
Mandatory conscription for males in France was ended in 1996, after several decades without the country being involved in a major conflict (although it was involved in the First Gulf War and sent around 18,000 troops).
Between 1996 and 2001, peacetime conscription of any male was phased out completely.
France was one of the first countries to introduce mandatory conscription for young men, although popularity of the scheme dwindled following World War Two, particularly as many conscripts were forced to fight in the Algerian War of Independence.
Taking the place of conscription, the one-day ‘Journée Défense et Citoyenneté’ (JDC) course was introduced in 1998, and is currently seeing a revamp.
Under current rules, foreign nationals living in France do not need to complete the JDC, and dual nationals may be exempt if they complete a form of national service based on their other nationality (dual citizens are advised to contact their local CSNJ or National Service Centre in France for clarification).
However, young French citizens living abroad must complete the course, following them filling out the citizen census (recensement citoyen) at age 16. They have until they are 25 to do so.
Both male and female students must complete the course, which focuses on elements such as French citizenship, how the army works, current issues facing Europe, etc.
The certificate students receive is often mandatory for applications to university or to obtain a driving licence.
In 2019, Mr Macron introduced a four-week voluntary service for young people known as the ‘Service national universel’, which this voluntary service is set to replace.
Widespread support
The idea of national service returning to France is widely backed.
Centre-left politician Raphaël Glucksmann – largely expected to head the Socialist ticket for the 2027 presidential election – said he was in favour.
However, he said the scheme should be made mandatory and include a non-military option for objectors.
Current Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure praised the measure.
"It's an element of deterrence and, as such, it's an important element at a time when we know that deterrence must be restored to prevent future conflicts."
Rassemblement National MP Sébastien Chenu also supported the idea, but said there should be a mandatory three-month military service for young men and women before they can then choose to sign up to the voluntary scheme for the additional months.
Head of the far-right party Jordan Bardella previously called ending conscription ‘a mistake” and backed plans to bring it back.
*Poll carried out by IPSOS on behalf of Le Parisien, interviewing 1,000 French adults
