Military Registration and Service

Military service in Armenia is mandatory for male citizens aged 18. The service lasts two years, and conscripts are drafted twice a year pursuant to the Government's decision.

Citizens are registered in the military reserve and may be called to serve if mobilization is declared.

Military service evasion is considered a crime and is generally punishable by up to three years of imprisonment.

A citizen may be exempt from compulsory military service if,

1. The citizen is deemed unfit for the military service due to health conditions;
2. Prior to naturalization in the RA the citizen has served not less than 12 months in the armed forces of another state or has served alternative military service not less than 18 months in another state;
3. The citizen, whose parent or sibling lost their life during the defense of the Republic of Armenia or during the performance of their military duties in the armed forces, and he is the only male child of the family. (See (in Armenian) “The law on military service and the status of a serviceman”, Article 26.

Exemptions from military service are generally available for those who have serious health issues or for humanitarian reasons. Postponement of military services may be provided for educational reasons, see (in Armenian), the "Law on military service and the status of a serviceman,” Article 22.

ON AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS TO THE RA LAW "ON MILITARY SERVICE AND THE STATUS OF A SERVICEMAN"

On February 12, 2024, amendments to the RA Law "On Military Service and the Status of a Serviceman" came into force, according to which male citizens aged 27 to 37 years old who have received RA citizenship are subject to compulsory military service.

The law applies to those who:

      1. Those who have evaded military service at the age of 27.

Accordingly, a person can serve in the Armenian Armed Forces for 2 years and be released from criminal prosecution or pay a monetary fine. The amount of payment varies, with a corresponding reduction in the period of military service or complete exemption from military service.

      2. Those who have received RA citizenship after the age of 27.

Those who have served at least 1 year in the armed forces of another country or completed 1.5 years of alternative service before acquiring RA citizenship are exempt from service.

     3. Those who were not registered by the military commissariat for any reason are subject to military service.

The law does not apply to those who acquired RA citizenship before February 12, 2024.

The law is not retroactive.

Note:

COMPATRIOTS WHO HAVE IN ARMENIA:

temporary residence status /for 1 year/,

permanent residence status / for 5 years/,

special residence status /special passport for 10 years/,

ARE NOT SUBJECT TO CONSCRIPTION AND MILITARY SERVICE.

Contact Information

For additional information concerning military service, you can contact the RA Ministry of Defense 

Address: Bagrevand 5, Yerevan

Phone: +374-12-210000

Web-page: http://www.mil.am

 

RA Ministry of Defense conscription and recruitment service

Yerevan, Babayan 6, tel.: (010) 201 568