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 from 18 and up until reaching 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 (currently, the program is planned to last 214 days).

How to apply?

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 (+371 67335009 if outside Latvia) or by e-mail vad@klustikaravirs.lv. 

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.

Application for the July 2026 draft has concluded 

On January 14, 2026, the application period for volunteers for the July 2026 draft into the National Defense Service concluded.

11 months of military service within the July 2026 draft will begin on July 17, 2026 at:

• The Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Land Forces in Ādaži

• The Military Police in Ādaži

• The Air Force Air Defence Division in Lielvārde

• The 25th Combat Support Battalion of the National Guard in Alūksne

• The 36th Combat Support Battalion of the National Guard in Lūznava

• National Guard battalion in Skrunda (Mežaine military base)

Five years of service in the National Guard within the JUly 2026 draft will begin on July 17, 2026:

• National Guard 1st Riga Brigade 

• National Guard 2nd Vidzeme Brigade 

• National Guard 3rd Latgale Brigade 

• National Guard 4th Kurzeme Brigade

Conscripts will begin their service on July 17, 2026.

A random selection for the July 2026 draft was organized on January 21, 2026.

Additional information can be obtained by calling 1827 (+371 67335009 if outside Latvia) or writing to vad@klustikaravirs.lv.

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.