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 (spread out over a year or in a single continuous period as part of an intensive course) ;

• 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 2027 Draft

The Ministry of Defence invites Latvian citizens between the ages of 18 and 27 to apply to National Defence Service from June 27, 2026, through September 30, 2026!

In 2027, those eligible for the July draft can voluntarily sign up for 11 months of military service, which can be performed at:

• the Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Land Forces in Ādaži;

• the Military Police in Ādaži;

• the Support Command in Ādaži;

• the Air Force Air Defence Division in Lielvārde;

• the National Guard’s 25th Combat Support Battalion in Alūksne;

• the National Guard’s 36th Combat Support Battalion in Lūznava;

• the National Guard battalion in Skrunda (at the “Mežaine” Military Base);

• the Sēlija Military Training Area.

Conscripts will begin their service on July 16, 2027.

For the 2027 draft, individuals can voluntarily apply for five years of service in the National Guard during the January and July draft periods, during which they will be able to serve in:

• the National Guard’s 1st Riga Brigade, 19th Combat Support Battalion;

• the 2nd Vidzeme Brigade of the National Guard, 26th Infantry Battalion;

• the 3rd Latgale Brigade of the National Guard, 36th Combat Support Battalion;

• the headquarters of the 4th Kurzeme Brigade of the National Guard;

• the Intensive Course*, 19th Combat Support Battalion of the National Guard.

*The 5-year NDS National Guard Intensive Course involves one month of training each year, with the first year running from June 29, 2027, to July 27, 2027. The course is specifically designed for athletes, students, and others who wish to fulfill their military service obligations in a single, uninterrupted period during the year.

In 2027, students enrolled in five-year university and college programs can voluntarily apply for the reserve officer program during the January draft and will be able to serve in:

• the 1st Riga Brigade of the National Guard, 19th Combat Support Battalion;

• the 2nd Vidzeme Brigade of the National Guard, 26th Infantry Battalion;

• the 3rd Latgale Brigade of the National Guard, 36th Combat Support Battalion;

• the headquarters of the 4th Kurzeme Brigade of the National Guard.

Citizens are invited to apply for the National Defence Service by filling the application form on the single recruitment platform: https://www.klustikaravirs.lv/valsts-aizsardzibas-dienests 

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.