- by croatiaweek
- July 15, 2026
-
in
News
(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)
The Croatian Ministry of Defence has announced a public recruitment campaign for 300 soldiers and sailors to join the Croatian Armed Forces on 1 September 2026.
The positions are offered under two-year military service contracts, with all successful applicants required to complete a six-month probationary period.
Recruitment will take place according to staffing needs at military locations across Croatia, including Benkovac, Bjelovar, Đakovo, Gašinci, Gospić, Karlovac, Lučko, Knin, Našice, Petrinja, Ploče, Pula, Sinj, Slunj, Split, Varaždin, Velika Gorica, Zagreb and Zemunik Donji.
Applications are open to both men and women who meet the conditions set out in Croatia’s Armed Forces Service Act.
Applicants must have completed at least secondary school education, or have completed primary school with a commitment to finish secondary education before the end of their first military service contract with Ministry of Defence support. Candidates must also be 30 years old or younger by the end of 2026 and have successfully completed either the voluntary military training programme or the basic military training programme.
Former soldiers and sailors who left the Armed Forces at their own request with an honourable discharge and without pension entitlement may also apply, provided they are under the age of 40 and meet the additional legal requirements.
Applicants must submit proof of Croatian citizenship, a birth certificate, evidence of completed education and a certificate confirming that no criminal proceedings are being conducted against them. The certificate must not be older than six months.
Applications can be submitted either in writing or via the Ministry of Defence’s online application form.
Candidates who fail to submit complete applications on time or do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
Before being accepted into service, applicants will undergo a selection process that includes checks of military records, psychological assessments, medical examinations and other evaluations required for active military service.
Candidates who completed the voluntary military training programme must submit their applications within eight days of the competition being published in Narodne novine. Those who completed the basic military training programme must apply by 24 July 2026.
Further information is available from the Croatian Ministry of Defence here.
