Austria: Military Commission Floats Citizenship Link, Age Limit 40
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The head of Austria's military service commission, Erwin Hameseder, has proposed new ways to recruit conscripts, including a link between voluntary military service and citizenship. He made the proposals on Wednesday 28 October 2026. They are ideas for political discussion, not a draft law.
Hameseder wants to raise the maximum age for starting basic military service and its civilian alternative from 35 to the end of the 40th year. He argues that some men deliberately delay naturalisation to avoid conscription. In his view the change would make clear that the duty of citizenship cannot be avoided, and give people a reason to apply for citizenship earlier.
He also wants the commission to examine a voluntary military service for foreign nationals who live legally and permanently in Austria. Under current law only Austrian citizens can serve as soldiers. Hameseder said that people with no criminal record, legal residence and a willingness to serve should be able to see access to citizenship made more attractive, and that this should be discussed politically. He described the idea as a contribution to integration.
The background is a shortage of recruits. According to the army, only about 16% of an age group recently completed basic military service, and the share is expected to fall further in the coming months. An army spokesman said that 61% of an age group is not liable for service, for example because they are women or not Austrian citizens.
For people who are not yet citizens, nothing changes for now: no rule has been drafted, and the proposal would require changes to military and citizenship law. Current naturalisation requirements remain in force.
Sources: Der Standard, MeinBezirk
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