Military call-ups only for citizens with residence in Croatia, ministry explains

(Photo: MORH/J. Kopi)

In recent days, there has been confusion and conflicting reports in the media over who could be called up for compulsory military service after its reintroduction into law last month.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed to Croatia Week that call-ups would not be issued to dual Croatian citizens living abroad, and now 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.

“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,” Jušić told Dnevnik Nova TV, the Ministry of Defence said.

He clarified that Croatians with dual citizenship who have already fulfilled their military obligations in the country where they live are not required to do so again in Croatia.

In accordance with the Defence Act passed by the Croatian Parliament on 24 October, individuals with dual citizenship may complete their military service either in the Republic of Croatia, under Croatian law, or in the country where they reside, under that country’s laws.

“We invite Croatians living abroad to contact their nearest diplomatic or consular mission in order to regulate their military obligations. Anyone wishing to come to the Republic of Croatia to do so is more than welcome,” Jušić said.

Jušić also explained that those who fail to respond to the call-up for military service will face a fine ranging from €500 to €5,000.

However, he noted that legal proceedings will not be carried out outside the territory of the Republic of Croatia.

“If someone fails to respond to the call-up, a misdemeanour procedure will be initiated, but only within the territory of the Republic of Croatia. We cannot enforce Croatian law beyond our national borders,” Jušić explained.

The director also stressed that no one will be forced into military service.

“We cannot monitor Croatians all over the world,” he added.

Finally, Jušić recalled that a similar situation occurred 17 years ago when compulsory military service was “suspended.”

At that time, as is the case today, if a call-up could not be delivered through a consulate or by post, the individual could not be summoned for basic military training.

According to Jušić, if a Croatian citizen with dual nationality decides to live in Croatia while retaining citizenship of another country, they will be required to settle their military obligations in accordance with Croatian law.

Video below.