France will introduce a voluntary military service programme lasting ten months, aimed chiefly at young people aged 18 and 19, as European nations grow increasingly concerned about the threat posed by Russia.
President Emmanuel Macron announced the initiative during a speech to troops in Varces-Allières-et-Risset in the French Alps, confirming that the scheme will begin by mid-2026. He said the measure would help France respond to “accelerating threats” on the global stage.
Nearly thirty years after conscription was abolished by President Jacques Chirac in 1997, Macron ruled out a return to compulsory service but stressed the need for mobilisation. “France cannot remain idle,” he declared, adding that young people had a “thirst for engagement” and were “ready to stand up” for their nation.
Under the plan, volunteers will receive a minimum monthly allowance of €800 (£700), along with food, accommodation, and a 75 per cent discount on rail travel. Service will be restricted to French territory, though applicants with specialist skills in areas such as engineering or medicine may be accepted up to the age of 25.
Macron described the initiative as a “hybrid army model” combining national service youth, reservists, and active personnel. The programme will cost €2 billion. Recruitment targets are set at 3,000 volunteers in 2026, rising to 10,000 by 2030, with a long-term ambition of 50,000 by 2036 depending on future threats. Participants will have the option to return to civilian life, join the reserves, or continue in the armed forces.
The president said the scheme was inspired by similar programmes in other European countries, noting that allies such as Germany and Denmark have introduced comparable measures. France currently has around 200,000 active personnel and 47,000 reservists, figures expected to rise to 210,000 and 80,000 respectively by 2030.
Polling data cited by the Élysée suggests strong support for the armed forces among young people aged 18 to 25.
The announcement follows controversy over remarks by General Fabien Mandon, chief of the armed forces, who warned that France must prepare itself for potential losses in the face of Russian aggression. His comments provoked criticism, though Senate defence committee president Cédric Perrin defended them as necessary to underline the seriousness of the situation.
Macron sought to reassure the public, insisting that the new service would not involve sending young people to Ukraine. “We must absolutely, immediately, dispel any confused idea suggesting we are going to send our young people to Ukraine,” he told RTL radio.
Reaction to the plan has been mixed. Clémence Guetté of La France Insoumise argued that military service should not be a priority given that France is not at war. By contrast, Sébastien Chenu of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally welcomed the initiative, describing it as “going in the right direction.”
The move forms part of a wider European shift, as nations reassess their reliance on US security guarantees and respond to Russia’s increasingly assertive posture.
