(Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)

Following reports that Australia had issued a warning to its citizens holding dual Croatian nationality about Croatia’s reintroduction of compulsory military service, Croatia’s Ministry of Defence (MORH) has clarified what the new rules actually mean for Croatians living abroad.

The Australian news outlet news.com.au reported that young men with both Australian and Croatian citizenship could soon receive a call-up notice for military service, citing information from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Similar reports also appeared in regional media, sparking concern among Croatians with dual citizenship who have long lived outside Croatia. 

Croatia Week asked MORH for a comment and below is their response in full.

“Publications in the Australian media about mandatory basic military training in Croatia for young men living in Australia who have dual citizenship, Australian and Croatian, present incorrect information that has caused unrest and concern among the Croatian diaspora.

Since we are reintroducing compulsory basic military training (BMT) after 17 years, it was necessary to determine the initial generation of conscripts to be called up for BMT, these will be 19-year-olds.

Exceptionally, in accordance with the Law, those older than 19 and younger than 30 may also be called up.

Young men and women between the ages of 19 and 30 may also volunteer to serve in BMT.

Therefore, call-up notices will not be sent to thousands of young Australian men with dual citizenship, nor to young men with dual citizenship from other countries abroad, who are between 18 and 30 years of age.

Regarding completely inaccurate information about criminal prosecution, failure to respond to a call-up for military service, basic military training, or civil service, without a justified reason, does not constitute a criminal offence but rather a misdemeanour punishable by a fine as prescribed by law.

A person who holds Croatian citizenship, regardless of the country in which they reside, is a military conscript.

Military service is the duty of all citizens of the Republic of Croatia who are fit for service, and it begins in the calendar year in which a Croatian citizen reaches the age of 18 (at which point they are entered into the military register).

Nineteen-year-old young men with dual citizenship living in various countries abroad, including Australia, have no reason for concern. In 2026, the Ministry of Defence plans for up to 4,000 young men to complete BMT.

For the first group of up to 800 conscripts, whose training will take place in barracks in Knin, Slunj, and Požega, training is expected to begin in early 2026. Around 300 individuals have already applied to voluntarily serve in BMT.

The Act on Amendments to the Defence Act, adopted by the Croatian Parliament on 24 October 2025, also sets out the conditions for deferment or exemption from BMT.

A conscript who, in addition to Croatian, also holds foreign citizenship and has already fulfilled the obligation of military training or civil service in that country is exempt from basic military training.

Furthermore, a conscript who has acquired Croatian citizenship through naturalisation or birth and has already fulfilled the obligation of military training or civil service in the country of their previous citizenship is also exempt from basic military training.

A conscript residing abroad from birth, or who moved abroad with their parents before becoming subject to conscription, must register with a diplomatic mission or consular office of the Republic of Croatia in the calendar year in which they turn 18, in order to be entered into the military register.

A conscript residing abroad who, for any reason, has not been entered into the military register in the Republic of Croatia must register with the competent diplomatic or consular office of the Republic of Croatia no later than by the age of 29.

A conscript may reside abroad until 30 June of the calendar year in which they turn 29, after which they must report to the competent regional defence office within 30 days,” MORH concluded.

Compulsory Basic Military Training (BMT)

The two-month training covers:

• Handling personal weapons and modern military equipment, including drones,

• First aid and self-defence,

• Fundamentals of military organisation and tactics,

• Lessons on key operations from the Homeland War.

Training will combine individual and team exercises, promoting cooperation, responsibility, and discipline. It will be led by experienced Croatian Armed Forces instructors who have long been involved in voluntary military training.

During training, recruits will receive a monthly allowance of around €1,100 (net) and will have two months of work experience recognised.

For those already employed, employment rights are protected – their job position and salary are secured for the duration of training.

Participants also receive paid transport and leave, and gain priority in public sector employment under equal conditions.

After completing basic training, participants may apply for professional military service and pursue a career within the Croatian Armed Forces. Those who do not will join the reserve component as classified reservists.

Military Obligation Duration

For men, the obligation officially ends at the end of the year in which they turn 55, and for women at 50, unless they are found unfit or renounce Croatian citizenship.