National Defence Service

The National Defence Service (NDS) provides an opportunity for citizens to acquire knowledge and understanding of national defence, to improve their individual capacities and to participate in strengthening national defence.

The Law on the National Defence Service was adopted by the Parliament on 5 April 2023. It obliges every male citizen of Latvia to serve in the national defence service within one year of reaching the age of 18 or, if the citizen continues his education at primary or secondary level, within one year of graduating from an educational institution, but not later than until the age of 24. At the same time, it is stipulated that Latvian citizens - men and women between 18 and 27 years of age - may apply for the NDS on a voluntary basis.

The NDS service is divided into three types:

• 11 months in a unit of the National Armed Forces or the National Guard;
• 5 years in the National Guard as a whole, with a minimum of 21 days of individual training and a maximum of 7 days of collective training each year;
• the reserve officer programme for university and college students, with a total period of training and service of not less than 180 days.

How to apply?

Voluntary applications are currently open for the July 2025 draft.

The July 2025 draft offers citizens the opportunity to do 11 months of military service at one of 4 locations:

• Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade at the military base "Ādaži";
• 2nd Brigade Vidzeme of the National Guard;
• 3rd Brigade Latgale of the National Guard;
• Air Force.

Citizens are invited to apply for the National Defence Service by filling the application form on the single recruitment platform www.klustikaravirs.lv. Further information can be obtained by calling 1827 or by e-mail vad@klustikaravirs.lv.

Voluntary applications will remain open until 20 November 2024. According to an order issued by the Minister of Defence, the random selection of the missing amount of recruits will take place on 26 November this year.

After the closing date, the selection officers will examine the application forms received to assess the citizen's compliance with the criteria set out in the National Defence Service Act. If no barriers to service are identified, a health check will be carried out - each citizen will be provided with information on the time and place of the check, as well as any documents to be brought to the check.

Previous drafts

The first draft started on 1 July 2023 on a voluntary basis and ended on 31 May 2024. On 23 January 2024, the first random selection of candidates for national defence service took place.

On 15 June 2024, the application period for the January 2025 draft closed, under which volunteers will be able to serve in the NAF unit, the National Guard and the reserve officer programme.

Latvian citizens are also invited to volunteer for future drafts. However, if necessary, the missing amount of people aged 18-19 will be selected at random. The selected people will have the decision sent to their e-mail address or to their declared address of residence, or by personal delivery.

Latvian nationals permanently residing abroad and who have, in line with applicable rules and regulations, notified Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of their current registered residence abroad will not be drafted until 2027.