Denmark will increase the number of recruits for the Danish Armed Forces and the Danish Civil Defense Agency. From about 4,700 individuals, this number is expected to rise to 7,500. Therefore, Danish Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, announced that starting from 2026, women will be required to perform mandatory military service under the same conditions as men.
He mentioned that if there are not enough volunteers for mandatory military service, women may be recruited through conscription.
Women Eligible for Military Service Starting 2026
According to the decision, women who turn 18 after July 1 of this year may be recruited for military service in 2026. “Equality is good and increases the possibility of building military strength in Danish defense,” the minister told the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten.
25% Female Recruits
Currently, mandatory military service in Denmark applies only to men aged 18 and older. Until now, military service for women has not been mandatory, but they could voluntarily register for service. Women currently make up 25% of the recruits in the Danish army.
Even with these changes, the principle remains that not all individuals aged 18 and above will be conscripted for mandatory military service. Since there are many volunteers, not all young men and women will be called for mandatory service. The selection process will be done by lottery.
Denmark Extends Military Service Duration
Last year, it was decided that starting in August 2026, mandatory military service in Denmark will be extended from four months to eleven months. “A stronger military service, which also takes gender equality into account, will help us overcome challenges in security policy,” said Minister Poulsen at that time.
With this decision, Denmark becomes the second EU country where women are subject to mandatory military service. Sweden has had a similar law in place since 2017. In Norway, which is a NATO member but not an EU member, women must also serve in the military.
