Conscription age to change as of 2020

Press release, 13 December 2019

On 12 December 2019, the Seimas decided to lower the age of conscription to the mandatory initial military service. As of 1 January 2020, the conscription age of male citizens changes from 19–26 to 18–23 years. The change was introduced by the amendments to the Law on National Conscription (draft No XIIIP-3037(2)), which were adopted by 88 votes in favour, with 1 abstention.   

The initiators of the amendments claim that conscripts of older age are more likely to suffer disproportionate damage caused by the mandatory initial continuous military service, due to their family and employment circumstances or residence abroad.

The age limit of 18–38 years for male and female citizens in voluntary military service remains unchanged.