Lithuania will call up 5,000 conscripts in 2026, increasing from previous years as the Baltic nation—the first EU country to restore mandatory military service after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea—continues strengthening its armed forces, the Lithuanian Armed Forces announced on 2 December.
The expansion comes as Lithuania commits 5-6% of GDP to defense through 2030—more than double NATO's 2% guideline—with President Gitanas Nausėda warning in March that the country has "4-5 years" to prepare for a potential Russian offensive against NATO's eastern flank.
First to act after Crimea, now others follow
Lithuania reinstated conscription in March 2015 after suspending it in 2008, becoming the first EU country to reverse course following Russia's seizure of Crimea, according to the US Library of Congress. Sweden followed in March 2017 with a gender-neutral conscription system.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prompted Latvia to restore mandatory service in 2023, with mandatory service beginning January 2024. Croatia followed suit in October 2025, with the first conscripts expected in January 2026.
What changes for 2026
The 2026 conscription will run year-round from 2 January through 31 December, with conscripts distributed across several service tracks:
- 3,870 conscripts for standard 9-month service
- 90 conscripts for 3-month service (specialized professions)
- 650 for junior officer training (160-200 days)
- 450 for basic military training (90-120 days)
"Various service durations and programs allow us to flexibly respond to the needs of the army," said Colonel Danas Mockūnas, Commander of the Military Commands of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
New training opportunities
For the first time, conscripts can apply for Special Operations Forces training, including paratrooper courses and attack drone operator programs. The Kristupas Radvilas Perkūnas Training Battalion is also recruiting conscripts interested in cybersecurity and information technology.
The armed forces emphasized that conscription strengthens Lithuania's reserve forces and mobilization capacity. Conscript lists will be published on 7 January 2026 at www.karys.lt.
Lithuania has provided over €1 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion and recently joined seven other Nordic-Baltic nations in pooling $500 million for Ukraine weapons packages.
