Moldova

Previous reports: 2023/24

Principal EBCO concerns

• Alternative service is punitive and discriminatory in terms of significantly longer duration for certain categories (those with higher education).

• Conscientious objectors are not recognised prima facie but are subjected to inquiry.

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

• Military-themed activities take place in schools, albeit optional.

Based on the replies of the Ministry of Defence of Moldova to EBCO's questionnaire:

Developments

No developments were reported for 2024.

Conscription provisions and procedures

Conscription is mandatory for male citizens aged 18-27 and lasts 12 months with a reduced term of 3 months for those with higher education.

It is regulated by the Law on the Preparation of Citizens for Homeland Defense (No. 1245-XV of 2002) and regulations issued by the Ministry of Defence, while Article 57 of the Constitution also reads: “the defence of the country is a sacred right and duty of each citizen.”

Deferment is available in cases like pursuing higher education or having family obligations.

About 14% of those who complete mandatory military service choose to continue with voluntary service.

Draft evasion

Those who do not report to the military centre when summoned, are subject to the issuance of contravention reports, resulting in fines. In 2024, approximately 8,700 contravention reports were issued.

Reserve service

Reserve service is primarily regulated by the Law on the Status of Military

Personnel. The call-up procedure involves an official notice issued by the Ministry of Defence in the case of annual trainings or in the case of mobilisation during a national emergency.

Conscientious objection provisions and procedures

Conscientious objectors can apply to perform the alternative civilian service, as regulated by Law No. 156/2007. According to the Ministry of Defence, eligible persons are those who:

Applications must include a statement of motivation and be submitted within 2 months before the current conscription period for compulsory military service, reduced-term service, or civil service. The recruitment-conscription commissions are responsible for assessing applications.

In 2024, approximately 200 applications were submitted, of which around 50% were rejected. Reasons for rejection include, according to the Ministry, failure to “demonstrate sufficient grounds for conscientious objection, such as not providing credible or compelling reasons for refusing to perform the service”. Other purported reasons include “legal technicalities or procedural issues”.

Rejections can be appealed to the State Commission for Conscription or in court, within 10 days of notification. Those who refuse to perform alternative service are subject to fines.²

The duration of alternative service is 12 months. The reduced term for those with higher education is 6 months (compared to 3 months in military service).

Remuneration is set to 75% of the net income for the work performed.

"Civil service is performed in public institutions or commercial companies carrying out activities on national territory, in the fields of social and medical assistance, industrial construction, civil construction, road and railway construction, environmental protection, agricultural associations, enterprises processing agricultural production, communal services, and special civil service formations (search and rescue, firefighting, construction, etc.)."³

Arrangements for the alternative service are administered by the Civil Service Center of the Republic of Moldova, which coordinates with the National Employment Agency for available positions and assignments of conscientious objectors.⁴ Assignment at the place of residence is possible.

Voluntary recruitment

Voluntary military service is available as contract-based military service. The initial duration of contract military service can be 3 years or 5 years, depending on the decision of the individual candidate.⁵

The minimum age for recruitment is 18 years old.

Incentives used by the Armed Forces to attract recruits include:

• Financial Incentives: Competitive salaries and benefits to those joining voluntarily, including additional allowances for specific roles or deployments.

• Career Prospects: Career development opportunities, including specialized training and the chance to advance through ranks.

• Advertising and Campaigns: Regular advertising campaigns conducted by the Ministry of Defence to promote the benefits of a military career. These often include participation in events such as job fairs.

• Other Benefits: In addition to financial incentives, recruits may receive health insurance, housing support, and other social benefits.

Approximately 50% of recruits sign up for a subsequent contract.

Conscientious objection during and after military service

According to the Ministry of Defence, the legislation does not explicitly provide for the recognition of conscientious objection after the enlistment or completion of mandatory military service. The status of conscientious objector is considered only before enlistment.

Moreover, after completing military service, reservists remain subject to mobilisation obligations, and the legislation does not offer a clear mechanism for invoking conscientious objection at that stage.

Militarisation of the education system

According to the Ministry, no military-themed activities form part of the obligatory education curriculum. However, the Armed Forces organise introductory activities which can take place in schools and may include “visits to military units, meetings with military personnel, or presentations on various fields of activities in the army” as well as themes around “defence education, or values related to discipline and responsibility in the military.” Those are not “structured educational programmes or mandatory for individuals under 18.”

Additionally, the Ministry of Defence has access to the personal data of male students aged 16 and above, through the State Registry of Defence Resources.

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. Article 370 of the Contraventions Code of the Republic of Moldova, No. 218/2008.⤴
3. Point 4 of the “Regulation on the organisation and execution of civil service”, Government Decision of the Republic of Moldova No. 865/2008.⤴
4. https://csc.md⤴
5. Government Decision No. 941/2006 "on the approval of the Regulation regarding the fulfillment of military service in the Armed Forces," and Law No. 162/2005 regarding the status of military personnel.⤴