Serbia Preparing for Conscription Roll-Out; Blue Envelopes to Start in Autumn
Serbia’s Ministry of Defence will begin issuing military registration notices, known as blue envelopes, from September as part of preparations to restore compulsory service. The step marks the start of formal conscription processing for eligible recruits.
Serbian media are reporting that from September 2026 onward, the Ministry of Defence will begin distributing official military registration notices to eligible young men as part of the reintroduction of compulsory service administration. These envelopes function as summonses for men to enter the defence ministry’s military records system ahead of planned recruitment.
This administrative step is aligned with broader plans to reinstate compulsory military service in Serbia after a more than decade-long suspension. President Aleksandar Vučić has indicated that legislative approval for mandatory service — expected to last about 75 days — will be sought, with initial registration due in September or October 2026.
Medical and fitness screening will be conducted before individuals are cleared for assignment to units. Military medical commissions will evaluate physical and psychological suitability, and only those meeting prescribed standards will proceed to training.
Reporting highlights that there will be detailed dress and grooming standards for recruits — including rules on hair length, shaving, and the visibility of tattoos or piercings — reflecting efforts to standardise discipline and appearance. Facilities within military installations will support these requirements, and personal grooming services may be provided as part of the service process.
These moves are part of a broader defence policy shift in Serbia to rebuild reserve manpower and enhance basic training capabilities, as compulsory service was abolished in 2011 and is now being reinstated amid wider regional considerations on defence readiness.
