Conscription Reform - The Portugal News

Latest news and stories about military service in Portugal for expats and residents.

The PS study aims to analyse the National Defence Day model and explore “short-term programmes or flexible modalities for military service”. The initiative follows a European trend.

The party led by André Ventura proposes the establishment of a National Defence Week, “with a minimum duration of five working days”, and a “military inspection” for those summoned.

Chega further argues that 'this reformulation will provide the Portuguese State with a more updated view of citizens of mobilisable age, thus facilitating the planning and potential activation of mechanisms to reinforce personnel in emergency situations or external threats'.

A little-known clause in Germany's new military service law is causing controversy. Since January, men between the ages of 17 and 45 may be required to seek authorisation from the armed forces to remain abroad for more than three months. The government guarantees that the measure will be primarily administrative as long as military service remains voluntary.
This is a call for civic participation: to think about the country, discuss solutions and contribute, in an informed and responsible way, to its collective future.

The European security environment has changed profoundly since 2014, which helps to understand the relevance of mandatory military service.

National Defence should not be the exclusive responsibility of a restricted group of volunteers, because if peace and sovereignty are common goods, their safeguarding must be shared by all.

Gouveia e Melo accused Marques Mendes of being involved in the golden visa case, but that was not quite right — it was his former partners. Mendes also accused the retired admiral of having advocated the return of compulsory military service, which was likewise not entirely correct.
