Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Anušić: 800 Conscripts to Report for Basic Military Training; 446 Volunteers; Only 10 Called-Up Conscripts Declared Conscientious Objection

Basic military training will commence on 9 March 2026 at the barracks in Knin, Slunj and Požega.

A total of 800 conscripts will report for basic military training, of whom 446 are volunteers, accounting for 55.75 per cent of the total number, while 354 are recruits born in 2007 who are subject to compulsory basic military training. Of the 446 volunteers, 82 are women, representing 10.25 per cent of the total number of conscripts. Of the called-up recruits, only 10 declared conscientious objection and submitted a request for civilian service.

Citizens over the age of 19 and under the age of 30, as well as women who are not subject to compulsory service, may apply voluntarily for basic military training.

Five elite athletes will also report for training on 9 March; they are future contractual reservists. Priority criteria for selecting recruits for basic military training were voluntary application and a higher medical fitness rating.

The Ministry of Defence currently has approximately 200 volunteers registered for the next intake in May. Applications continue to be received. These data were presented today by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Ivan Anušić, at a press conference held at the Ministry of Defence. He expressed great satisfaction with the excellent response to military training. The programme was reintroduced by the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Defence through amendments to defence legislation adopted at the end of October 2025, after a 17-year hiatus.

“We are extremely satisfied and proud of the excellent response to basic military training. First and foremost, I thank the young people who have recognised how important and beneficial military training is. They have also demonstrated that they care about their personal safety as well as the security of their homeland. Our young people have shown that they value the military profession. I also thank the employees of the Ministry of Defence and members of the Croatian Armed Forces for their significant contribution to the reintroduction of basic military training,” Minister Anušić stated. He expressed hope that some conscripts would decide, after completing their military training, to pursue a career in the Croatian Armed Forces.

Basic military training in Knin and Slunj will be attended by 200 conscripts at each location, while 400 conscripts, including 82 women, will undergo training in Požega.

Minister Anušić reiterated that conscripts undergoing basic military training will receive a monthly allowance of approximately EUR 1,100. The two months spent in military training will be credited as pensionable service. Under equal conditions, conscripts will also be given priority in employment within state administration bodies and local self-government units.

During the two-month training period, conscripts will acquire basic soldiering skills, survival and self-defence tactics, and first aid skills and will be trained to operate FPV drones. Their training will be conducted by 80 instructors.

Up to 4,000 conscripts per year are planned in five intakes. This year, given that basic military training begins in March, there will be four intakes of conscripts.

Minister Anušić also announced the expansion of capacities and further investments in barracks in Benkovac, Dugo Selo, Požega, Vinkovci and Beli Manastir.

The Director of the Human Resources Directorate, Ivan Jušić, presented the implementing regulations stemming from the Act on Amendments to the Act on Service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Official Gazette No. 136/25) and the implementing regulation pursuant to the Standardisation Act (Official Gazette No. 80/13).

Director Jušić clarified that, for the first generation of conscripts undergoing basic military training commencing on 9 March, the financial allowance will be paid in three instalments.

As the training does not begin on the first day of the month, conscripts will not receive the full monthly allowance for March but rather a proportional amount corresponding to the number of days spent in training.

The allowance will be paid in April, May and June, with the third payment covering compensation for nine days of training conducted in May.

In conclusion, conscripts will receive the full monthly allowance of approximately EUR 1,100. The allowance will be paid in three instalments.