Ministry of Defence Sends First Invitations for Medical Examinations of Future Conscripts

On 29 December 2025, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia dispatched the first invitations for mandatory medical examinations to conscripts born in 2007 who are Croatian citizens with permanent residence in the Republic of Croatia, thereby initiating the implementation of mandatory basic military training.

The invitations are being sent by post from regional defence administration offices, and conscripts are expected to receive them within seven days. For the purpose of forming the first intake, approximately 1,200 invitations for medical examinations have been issued, with examinations scheduled for the second half of January.

Medical examinations of conscripts will be conducted at the Military Health Centre of the Ministry of Defence — the Institute of Aviation Medicine in Zagreb and the Institute of Maritime Medicine in Split — as well as at authorised occupational medicine institutions. Regional defence administration offices in Osijek, Požega, Slavonski Brod, Dubrovnik, Pazin, Rijeka, Gospić and Virovitica will refer conscripts to healthcare institutions within their respective areas of responsibility.

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia will reimburse travel expenses incurred by conscripts for attending medical examinations and psychological assessments, either by organising transportation or by reimbursing the cost of the most affordable public transport ticket for travel to and from the examination location.

Medical examinations to determine fitness for military service will be conducted by specialist physicians in occupational medicine.

Conscripts are required to present all medical documentation relevant to the assessment of their health status. The medical examination includes a psychological assessment, a general medical examination, determination of body mass index, laboratory blood and urine tests, electrocardiography (ECG), visual and hearing examinations, a review of submitted medical and other documentation relevant to health assessment, as well as examinations by other medical specialists and additional diagnostic tests, as indicated.

Conscripts assessed as fit for military service will be referred to mandatory basic military training or may, in accordance with the Defence Act, declare conscientious objection and perform civilian service. The Act also prescribes circumstances under which the right to defer mandatory basic military training may be exercised, including for students and professional athletes.

Conscripts deemed fit for military service will receive invitations to undertake mandatory basic military training in February 2026. The commencement of training is planned for early March 2026 at military barracks in Knin, Slunj and Požega. In the first intake, up to 800 conscripts are planned to be assigned to these three locations.

Mandatory basic military training lasts two months and includes training in basic soldier skills, handling of personal weapons and modern military equipment, including unmanned systems, first aid training, basic self-defence skills, and familiarisation with key military operations conducted during the Homeland War.

During training, conscripts are entitled to a monthly allowance of approximately EUR 1,100 net. In addition to financial compensation, conscripts are credited with two months of pensionable service and are entitled, under equal conditions, to a one-time employment advantage when applying for permanent employment in state bodies and in administrative bodies of local and regional self-government units. For conscripts who are employed, employment rights and obligations are suspended for the duration of basic military training, and they may not be dismissed during this period.

Upon completion of mandatory basic military training, individuals may apply for active military service and pursue a professional career in the Croatian Armed Forces, while others will be assigned to the reserve component of the Croatian Armed Forces.

Further information is available in the Comprehensive Guide to Mandatory Basic Military Training on the official website of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia: https://www.morh.hr/veliki-vodic-kroz-temeljno-vojno-osposobljavanje-tvo/