Croatia Military Service: No call-ups for citizens living abroad

Understanding Croatia’s mandatory military service

Croatia military service has recently been reintroduced, causing concern among Croatians living overseas. Many dual citizens have been asking whether they could be called back to serve. The good news is that Croatia has clarified the rules: citizens living abroad will not be called up.

According to the Croatia Week article, Croatia Military Service Rules for Dual Citizens Living Abroad, the program primarily applies to citizens aged 19 to 30 who reside in Croatia.

What mandatory basic military training entails

The government is also introducing mandatory basic military training for young residents. This short program equips them with essential skills and prepares them to serve if required.

Importantly: this training only applies to residents within Croatia. Croatians living abroad are not affected. We send call-ups only to citizens of the Republic of Croatia who live in the Republic of Croatia, that is, to those who have officially registered residence here,” Ivan Jušić told Dnevnik Nova TV, the Ministry of Defence said.

Reassurance for dual citizens and overseas residents

On November 2, 2025, Croatian Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić appeared on Melbourne, Australia’s 3ZZZ Croatian program to clarify that Croatians living abroad will not be drafted. For citizens overseas, registration is purely administrative and mainly involves keeping local consulates informed.

And also Ivan Jušić, Director of the Directorate for Human Resources at the Ministry of Defence, has further explained that call-ups will apply exclusively to citizens with residence in Croatia.

Dual citizens and those who have already completed military or civil service in another country are fully exempt from Croatia’s obligations.

Key takeaways for Croatians living abroad

• Mandatory military service is focused on young residents in Croatia, not those living overseas.

• Basic military training is required only for residents, lasting a few weeks.

• Dual citizens and those who have completed service elsewhere are exempt.

• Overseas registration is administrative only, ensuring consulates have up-to-date information.

In short, if you live abroad, there is no need to worry about being drafted. Croatia’s renewed military service program is strictly focused on residents within the country.

# letsgo2cro #CroatianCitizenship #CroatiancitizneshipExpert #Croatianpassport #CroatiaAbroad #CroatiaDiaspora #CroatiaFacts #CroatianHertitage #AustralianCroatian #CanadianCroatian #USCroatian #Croatianmilitary