The Swedish National Board of Recruitment and Assessment (Plikt- och prövningsverket) is calling approximately 30,000 youths born in 2008 for conscription starting in May 2026. After the assessments are completed, around 10,000 individuals are expected to begin basic training with military or civil service during 2027 and 2028.

– The main purpose of the basic training is to fill the military and civil defence with trained and practiced personnel. It is a central part of strengthening Sweden's overall defence capability, says Peter Göthe, Director General of the Swedish National Board of Recruitment and Assessment.

According to a press release from the authority, the conscription for this age group will continue until April 2027. The call-up will be sent out approximately two months before the reporting date to the assessment offices in Stockholm (capital), Malmö (southern Sweden), Gothenburg (western Sweden), or Umeå (northern Sweden). Those who are registered after completing the assessment have a legal obligation to undergo the training.

Earlier this year, the conscription basis was sent out to approximately 111,500 youths. The response rate was 97.5 percent. Individuals deemed to have the most suitable physical, psychological, and medical conditions are selected for registration, the authority states. The training period will vary between three and fifteen months.

In addition to military conscription, there is an opportunity to register for civil service within municipal emergency services. This training is intended to ensure staffing and resilience within essential societal functions during heightened readiness. Individuals who are approved during the conscription but are not assigned a place are placed in the training reserve, which the government can activate to quickly increase the number of registered individuals.

The authority emphasises the importance of providing accurate information and conducts ongoing checks of the responses received.

– The system relies on everyone providing correct information. If we suspect that someone has deliberately provided incorrect information, we can request documentation to make a proper assessment, continues Peter Göthe.

Individuals over 18 years old who are not automatically called have the opportunity to submit their own application for assessment.