Denmark

Previous reports: 2023/24

Principal EBCO concerns

• No recognition of the right to conscientious objection for professional soldiers.

Based on replies to EBCO's questionnaire by the organisation Aldrig Mere Krig² and the Ministry of Defence:

Developments

A new conscription system was announced to commence from 2027 which will see the expansion of conscription to women, an increase of conscripts from 4,700 to 6,500 a year (plus 1,000 for the Emergency Management Agency), and an increase of duration from 4 months to 11 months of service or more.³

The recruits will start with basic education for the first five months, followed by six months in more operational roles.

Under the current plan, military recruits will only serve within Denmark or abroad in the case of NATO deterrence missions. In serious security situations, the Defence Minister may allow volunteers to serve in other missions.

Conscription provisions and procedures

According to section 81 of the Constitutional Act: “Every male person able to bear arms shall be liable with his person to contribute to the defence of his country under such rules as are laid down by statute.”⁴

Conscription is regulated by the Conscription Act Nr. 225⁵ as well as the Defence Personnel Act Nr. 667.⁶

The legal minimum age for conscription in a time of peace and war is 18.

The duration of military service varies from 4 months up to 12 months.

The Ministry of Defence reports a total first-time military recruitment of 4575 in “recent years”, of which 75% were men and 25% women. The majority of conscripts are between 19-21 years old.

According to the Ministry of Defence, in 2024 approximately 54 conscripts were prosecuted for evasion/refusal of military service and not showing up for military service, of whom none had applied for CO-status. The outcomes in these cases were fines for evasion of military service in 50 cases and prison sentences in 3 cases. In one case, charges were waived. The Danish Police and Prosecution Service issues fines and handles cases of possible prison sentences for conscripts serving in the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). In 2024, there were two cases of evasion of military service, where the outcome was imposition of fines.

The national armed forces use different types of public promotions, including advertising on their own platform (HP, SoMe, promotion fairs, Open House engagement, etc.) or paid platforms (TV, SoMe, Cinema, etc).

Conscientious objection provisions and procedures

Conscripts in Denmark can apply for recognition as conscientious objectors within 8 weeks of receiving the call-up papers. The call-up papers include information about the right to refuse military service for conscientious reasons, the procedure of applying for CO-status, and the length and types of work in the civilian service.

Applications must be sent in writing, stating the reasons for applying, i.e. the matter of the conscience, and must be based “on religious or ethical reasons” since applications “solely based on political reasons will be refused.”

The applications are decided upon by the Danish Ministry of Defence Personnel Agency (MDPA).

The statistics in recent years are shown below.

Appeals on negative decisions can be sent as a letter of complaint to the Danish Ministry of Defence. No such appeals were received in the years 2020–2024.

Arrangements for the civilian service are administered under the authority of the Danish Ministry of Defence Personnel Agency (MDPA). The placements are in public or publicly funded institutions, approved by the CO-Administration for this purpose only, and include local or regional governmental, public or private institutions for the common good, that receive public funding. All of them are within the fields of social, health, culture, religion, peace or environment and cannot replace existing vacant jobs or cover functions demanding special skills. Applicants can choose the placement most suitable to their interest, location etc. excluding institutions to which they are attached or where they were previously employed.

Those serving receive cash benefits same as military conscripts, like daily remuneration, subsistence allowance, transport allowance, clothing allowance and housing allowance (average 1,900 EUR/month).

If a conscientious objector does not report to the civilian service, then they receive a letter with a new date for reporting, as well as a fine for not reporting, imposed by the Prosecution Authorities. After a number of incidents, the case is considered denial of service, which can lead to imprisonment for a period corresponding to the length of the service.

Conscientious objection during and after military service

It is possible to apply for conscientious objector status even after the eight-week time limit and after the initiation of service in the military forces or in the Danish Emergency Management Agency. In this case, applicants need to state the time their conscience began, and the reason for it.

The same does not apply for professional soldiers where no such provisions exist. Even those who terminate their service contracts retain reserve liability.

Asylum for conscientious objectors

No information was available.

Militarisation of the education system

There is a possibility to apply for one week of professional practice in military institutions to students under 18.

Four Danish secondary schools (gymnasiums) now offer a voluntary Defence Study education, specially designed courses which includes training with soldiers at the barracks, to try the many aspects of a soldiers life. Throughout the three years, students also gain knowledge and understanding of defence and security policy as well as society's overall preparedness. The subjects in the field of study are all arranged in cooperation with the Danish Armed Forces.⁷

1. Population and armed forces figures are derived from The Military Balance 2025, published by the international Institute for Strategic Studies; military expenditure figures are estimates published by SIPRI (The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) in April 2025. ⤴
2. More info about the organisation at: https://aldrigmerekrig.dk⤴
3. https://www.fmn.dk/globalassets/fmn/dokumenter/nyheder/2024/-anden-delaftale-under-forsvarsforliget-2024-2033-.pdf⤴
4. https://www.ft.dk/da/dokumenter/bestil-publikationer/publikationer/mingrundlov/min-grund-lov/kapitel-8/paragraf-81⤴
5. https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2006/225⤴
6. https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2006/667⤴
7. https://www.tvsyd.dk/varde/gymnasieelever-kan-nu-indrullere-sig-pa-forsvarslinje⤴