National service in Austria (military and civilian service)

Graham Crewe
Jan 15, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jan 29, 2024

This FAQ article is intended to serve as an overview for those looking to find out more about Austrian national service. It is particularly relevant to those (males) who are considering applying for Austrian nationality before their 35th birthday.

Introduction

Austrian males between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to do a period of public service. There are two choices:

Military service (Militärdienst): 6 months
Alternative public service/Civilian service (Zivildienst): 9 months

Civilian service is only available to those who conscientiously object to serving in the military. If you choose this path you:

Will be required to sign a declaration of civilian service (Zivildiensterklärung) ("I cannot do compulsory military service because - apart from cases of personal self-defence and emergency assistance - I refuse for reasons of conscience to use armed force against people and would therefore be in distress of conscience when doing military service. I therefore want to do civilian service.") (link)
Will be unable to obtain a gun licence for 15 years (link)

Stellung

On, or shortly after, their 17th birthday male Austrian citizens receive a letter ordering them to attend a "Stellung". This is an assessment test at which fitness to participate in military service is assessed.

It is possible to apply for exemption to the requirement to perform military service. See: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/leben_in_oesterreich/wehrdienst/4/Seite.140126.html#befreiung

You will not have to start your national service if you are attending school or university or undertaking an apprenticeship. See: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/leben_in_oesterreich/wehrdienst/3/Seite.1401082.html

Living abroad

Austrian men living permanently abroad will not be required to attend a Stellung. However they have to register with their local Embassy on reaching their 17th birthday, and must notify the authorities within three weeks if they return to live in Austria. See: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/travel-stay/living-abroad/military-and-civilian-service/

Dual nationals

It is possible to obtain an exemption from doing Austrian military service if you have already completed compulsory military service for another country, however this is assessed on a case-by-case basis. See: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/leben_in_oesterreich/wehrdienst/4/Seite.140166.html

Voluntary service in the military of another country will lead to loss of Austrian citizenship. Dual nationals who are required to do mandatory military service for another country will not lose their Austrian citizenship. However if they extend the mandatory period, even by one day, they will lose it. See: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/travel-stay/living-abroad/military-and-civilian-service/

Remuneration

People undertaking national service are paid. The pay depends on the type of service:

Military service: Monthly pay of €238.31 plus an allowance of €124.77 (2024, link)
Civilian service: The basic monthly pay is €585.10 (2024, link)

For those with families, financial support for housing as well as partners and children is also available. In addition all people undertaking national service have free travel on public transport in Austria. See: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/leben_in_oesterreich/wehrdienst/4/Seite.140146.html#soziales

Employment rights

You cannot lose your job for undertaking compulsory Austrian national service. See: https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/leben_in_oesterreich/wehrdienst/4/Seite.140136.html#arbeitnehmerrechte

Civilian service

It is possible to search for your own position in civilian service. You are advised to do this at least four months before you leave school. If you fail to find a position on your own you will be assigned one automatically. See: https://www.zivildienst.gv.at/zivildiener/weg-zum-zivildienst.html#a-zuweisung

There is an online search facility: https://www.zivildienst.gv.at/zivildienst-stellen/platzangebot.html#/

Active service

Those who have completed military service can be called up to active service until their 50th birthday.